The first night of the semi-finals is now set. What was once an expansive field of some of the finest original talent the Indy scene has to offer has been narrowed down to a few.

But with 8 more spots left to fill out, it’s time to get this second half going.

After taking a week off, the Acoustic Live Challenge is back. Tonight, 5 more acts have gathered at 247 Sky Bar in Downtown Indianapolis to show off what they’ve got. Part 1 was great on all accounts, and I’m excited to see what’s to come here in the second half.

I’ve taken my seat at the table along with the other two judges (Wes Ogden from Indy Mojo and musician Landon Keller), I’ve got my water in hand, and by the looks of it, our first performer looks ready to go.

James Wilkerson is up first. He was part of the competition a few years ago, and I remember him impressing me back then. Let’s see if that still holds up.

Joining him on stage was Pat Armstrong, who provided raps at breakneck speeds to contrast Wilkerson’s intricate blues-inspired melodies. Acoustic and rap may sound like an odd combination, but their dynamic actually works very well. Though they did have a few technical issues (microphone cutting out and dropping his pic during a song), he took it all in stride, and also pointed out when he messed up, usually within the context of the song. Technical difficulties and a tendency to pull away from the microphone aside, he turned in a very enjoyable performance. In short, there’s a reason he got to the finals last time, and he looks more than eager to make another run this year.

One thing I’ve taken away from this competition is that you have to be able to adapt. Beyond being able to convert your songs to acoustic, you also have to be able to perform, even when you’re out of your comfort zone.

That being said, Modern Day Bard is up. Unlike what the name would suggest, this was a solo performer who prefaced his performance by saying that he rarely (if ever) sings and plays at the same time, but the show must go on. The end result was a very honest and personal account from someone who enjoys performing and being on stage. I had previously wanted to knock him on his more somber, melancholy performance not matching his fun and upbeat personality, but the more I thought about it, that’s just him, and one of the best ways to get noticed is to be yourself up there. He’s personable, his songs have a lot of depth behind them, and while it may have been a little hard to understand when he wasn’t projecting, you can definitely tell where his heart is.

Before the night had begun, I had a conversation with someone who introduced himself as Demitri Rein, a solo performer who listed off some of his influences, including Tool, Sevendust, and Incubus. Okay, I’m already intrigued, and I want to see what this actually sounds like.

He may have been a little nervous going into this (then again, so am I every time I have to critique over the microphone), but while performing, he seemed very much in his element. Also to his credit, his description was very accurate. His Tool/Perfect Circle-inspired riffs were complimented by very Brandon Boyd-esque vocals. He may not have had the greatest range, and may have even been borderline monotone at times, but he makes it work. His songs also have a lot of heart behind him. Who else would feature a set where he tackled issues such as politics, the state of crime in Indianapolis, and his own personal life? The downside, his performance was a lot like a game of Call of Duty: impressive by all accounts, but very much on-rails, and as a result, he may not have had the kind of connection with the audience as would be desired. Chalk that up to nervousness or time constraints. Despite that, there was definitely a lot to like.

We’ve got another duo coming up next, one that goes by the name of Essence of Mary. Generally, they operate as a trio with a drummer, but for tonight, they’re down to just two. Their drummer does make a brief appearance on the first song, but then tags another person in for the rest of the set.

So how was their set? Our first duo of the evening gave us a combination of styles, and this one follows suit, but not by means of blending genres. Rather, it was their stage presence. One seemed more focused, calm, and collective, while the other was very eccentric and all over the place. He even takes time to debate gin with someone in the audience. It’s a little strange, and it borders on distracting, but is it entertaining? Yes it is.

Musically, it’s a very chill vibe they create. Despite the antics, they all carry a very fun and easy-going personality, and a lot of that comes out in the music. The downside? The singer tended to be a little mumbly and cupped the microphone much like all of those metal singers I admired so much when I was a teenager (he did growl for a few seconds). It had its ups and downs, but in the end, it was pretty entertaining.

This was a good night for duos, in that there were more here than any other week we’ve done this. We’ve seen a rap/blues fusion and a more chill California-influenced group. For our final one, we get something closer to what we’ve seen previously, but as anyone will tell you, it’s all in the execution.

So with that, let’s welcome Brad Odom and Johnny Ping (or “Johnny Feelgood” if your name is Rob Snodgrass).

They may not be flashy or theatrical, but there’s no denying how much heart and soul goes into their performance. Their harmonies are great, their chemistry was very tight, and they even got the crowd into it by having them sing back a few lines during the first song.

More importantly though, the music has substance and depth. They aren’t just words and notes thrown on a page. Each song means something, and when you have that, sometimes you don’t need anything else. Despite a few technical difficulties, it’s a very cohesive performance, and a nice way to end an eventful evening.

Now the real fun starts. Fans must turn in their ballots (and vote for 3 acts or else it doesn’t count), and we here at the judges’ table try to piece together what we just saw. This feels a lot closer this week, and I can’t quite figure out which way everyone will vote. I guess that’s what makes this interesting. Well, that and seeing bands who usually play electric try to maneuver around the contest’s restrictions.

After a long waiting period and exchanging pleasantries with some of the artists, it’s time to hear the results. Our host thanks us for coming out before announcing who has earned a spot in the second night of the semi-finals. Your winners tonight are:

2nd: James Wilkerson
1st: Brad Odom and Johnny Ping

And just like that, Night 5 is in the books. The artists congratulate each other, the Sky Bar clears out, and I’m making my way back to my car, anxiously awaiting what’s in store next week…

The second half of Round 1 has started things off with a bang, and next week, 5 more artists will keep the momentum going while showing everyone why they deserve to be the 2014 champs.

So who’s championship material? You’ll have to wait and find out. See you all next week.