Project Majesty Live at Tala Cafe – A Rare Prog Rock Night in Davao

The kind of night that only happens once—unless you're lucky enough to be there.

The espresso machine hissed like a warm exhale, clinking spoons tapped ceramic, and someone laughed near the counter—the kind of deep laugh that comes from bumping into an old friend. Tala Cafe was filling up, but not with the usual quiet book-reading crowd. This night was different. Someone was tuning a guitar in the corner. The chairs were shifted to face a makeshift stage. The barista looked up from a steamed oat milk latte and grinned.

"You're in for something wild tonight," she said.

It was Project Majesty's first live gig—a progressive rock trio right in the middle of this warm, lived-in neighborhood cafe.

From Jam Session to Tala Stage

Project Majesty isn't your average local band. With no vocalist, no keyboardist, and a shared love for bands like Dream Theater, Rush, and Liquid Tension Experiment, they rely entirely on tight instrumental storytelling. The band's roots are humble: late-night jam sessions, a shared frustration with musical limits, and a craving to just create.

That night, they performed two original compositions and one cover—but that was more than enough to fill the room with rapid-fire riffs, complex time signatures, and raw, melodic power.

"It's not the kind of music you expect at a café," said one regular, Mike, who came for his usual cold brew and stayed for the show. "But it worked. The whole place just… shifted into gear with them."

The Tala Vibe, But Louder

What made this night unforgettable wasn't just the music—it was how the cafe itself adapted and embraced the moment. The same space where someone might quietly journal in the morning became a standing-room-only venue by sundown.

The bulletin board filled with handwritten flyers and mismatched event posters now shared space with a gig setlist. A band logo was taped up next to someone's lost umbrella notice. The vibe wasn't slick or rehearsed—it was real, honest, and charged.

"We never expected a crowd like this," said Simon, Project Majesty's bassist. "We just wanted to try something new, and Tala said yes."

A Place That Says Yes

That's kind of the magic of Tala. It's not just a coffee shop—it's a community lab. A space where people test ideas, throw events, bring instruments, and occasionally blow the roof off (gently, with prog rock). The owners know your name. The barista knows your drink. And sometimes, your table neighbor becomes your bandmate.

Project Majesty's drummer, Devin, wasn't even supposed to play here. He met the rest of the band through a regular who invited him to jam one weekend.

"I don't think this band would've happened without this place," he said. "Tala gave us room—literally and creatively."

For Those Who Missed It

The show was streamed live by a volunteer friend who "just happened to have the gear" (classic Tala moment). You can still watch the full set on Tala Cafe's YouTube Channel. It's not studio-polished—but that's the point. It's real. Raw. The sound of something new being born.

Plan Your Visit

📍 Tala Cafe is located along Tigatto Road, Davao City

🕐 Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 11 AM to 9 PM

☕ Price Range: Most drinks between ₱100–₱180, with food options like sandwiches, cookies, and seasonal matcha blends

🎤 Events: From open mics and jam nights to flea markets and quiet poetry readings—you'll never know what's next, but it's probably something good

Come for the coffee. Stay for the sound.

The next Project Majesty show isn't scheduled yet. But if you hang around Tala long enough, chances are you'll stumble into something just as rare.

Because here, the espresso comes with a side of surprise. And sometimes, the loudest nights start with a quiet idea scribbled in a notebook at your favorite window seat.