"The days are getting longer. Couples are holding hands and taking evening strolls along the promenade whilst children skip happily to the beat of the energetic waves coming in to shore.

The mesmerising bright orange filled sun is slowly setting and its beams are touching the water. Yes, these are the evenings to enjoy. However, can this atmospheric mood be recreated?

With bright orange beams hitting the blue backdrop of a raised stage, comes the Acoustic Platform. Held monthly on Sundays, on the 8th June starting at 7.30pm, an acoustic showcase took place in the upper part of the Aberystwyth Arts Centre with a third of the room dedicated to the main stage.

A hot chocolate girl at heart, I walked from the bar and sat down at a small cute little table with a quaint intimate candle resting upon it. The room was buzzing with energy as families, couples and individuals sat down at their tables and on sofas.

The first act was a man called Leo who sang 'What Price The Loss'. The lyrics described people suffering in silence and how due to a failure in communication this has meant human loss. Even though the lyrics were moving, it was a bit depressing for an opening song.

The next song had themes concerning the consequences of fame and how it can consume you and make you ill. Another song called 'Long lonely road' describes a man's wife leaving him, he is in mourning and feeling alone. 'What about me?' commented on someone chasing their dreams and hurting their partner in the process.

In addition, 'love me just a little bit' describes a woman having an affair and the man suffering and by this point I was also starting to suffer.

There seemed to be a common theme running throughout his songs with the lyrics and melody being changed ever so slightly. With the recurring theme of a woman being the guilty party, I felt like saying 'stop being such an emotional one sided music maker'.

If it was my turn to do the washing up one night and I did not have time, its as if my boyfriend would suddenly burst into song about how much I had wronged him.

However, what saved him was his intermittent jokes and a cheery song here and here (if you were holding your breath). An example of one his jokes was when Leo mentioned how a person asked him 'which is the quickest way to Aberaeron?' He replied 'are you walking or driving?'. The man replied 'driving' and Leo said 'well that is the quickest way.'

With the first act over, some people went to get drinks and I forced myself to get another hot chocolate (I was not complaining). Sitting back down with a happy and content smile, I was surprised when a small lady in the audience stood up and walked over to the orange filled stage.

With the mic having to be adjusted to suit her height, Anne-Francoise Berthault played a French song first. With a beautiful and relaxing beat her voice reached every corner of the room.

Whilst introducing herself she told the audience about how her boyfriend had Fallen in the sceptic tank that day, hurt his head and been taken to hospital but although she was sad, at the same time she managed to create an up lifting mood.

The next song she played called 'Day to Day', one of my favourites, focused upon a woman growing and evolving and whether it is to suit herself or other people. Next, she sang an old French song that exuded strong, powerful beats.

Anne-Francoise dedicated 'I can't see you anymore' to her mother and had to stop playing halfway through as her eyes were welling up, however she recovered and finished the song. The energies from the audience projected sympathy and admiration towards her.

I thought she was very brave to have opened up to the audience and her music allowed Berthault to express her pain of losing a family member.

The third act, Dafydd Saer, was one of my favourites and here was a guy with bushy hair complete with a cool hat and glasses who definitely had character. Dafydd played 'I can't wait to see you' which was very upbeat and light, making you feel as if you were on your holidays.

I could imagine lying on the beach with my hubby, enjoying the sunshine and sounds of the sea. This was one of the only acts that got my hips moving and feeling the beat much like a Jack Johnson 'special.'

Another song was an Albert King cover. The lyrics described a woman getting carried away with her relationship. For example; expecting a ring, a wedding, setting the date and telling her mother. It sounded as if she had watched fatal attraction once too often.

With the acoustic platform showcasing three contrasting acts, I was very satisfied. Each with their own unique beat which for me was reminiscent of how the waves change with the passage of time, either going out to sea or coming into shore.

Anna-Francoise Berthault's melodies were at times sorrowful and the words helped to release her from pain she has suffered. That seemed to me like waves going out to sea, a form of escapism.

Dafydd Saer was more uplifting and the way his lyrics exuded love and friendship was reminiscent of the waves coming into shore, embracing the land and to be amongst life.

With orange beams hitting a blue backdrop, it allowed three musicians to exude their own musical energies. This was an evening to enjoy and I would definitely recommend it.

Article by Rachel Moore