After 5 years in the US, Cynthia Alexander is back in the country to share her new music. The folk singer-songwriter performed at a sold-out show last January 13 at the Music Museum to launch her newest album, “Even Such Is Time”.
The audience was treated to delicate performances of some of her classic hits from her previous albums: “Insomnia & Lullabyes,” “Rippingyarns,” “Comet’s Tail,” and “Walk Down The Road”. She gave the crowd a sneak peek to her newly released album by playing songs “Dream” and “Even Such Is Time” for the first time.
The stage design of the show adds warmth to Alexander’s music and gives off that rustic and intimate feel with several old lamps, books, and chest drawers that makes it look homey. With songs like “Comfort In Your Sadness,” “U & I,” “Knowing There Is Only Now,” and “The Weather Report,” the stage design was probably meant for everyone to feel like they were relaxing at home in a cold weather while watching Cynthia Alexander perform.
Alexander was joined by a wonderful ensemble of musician including Abby Clutario and Mlou Matute. Her brother Joey Ayala was also present in the audience to show his support. After one of her performances, Alexander recalled that her brother gave her her first guitar when she was 13 and taught her the first three chords she learned.
Brothers Miguel and Paolo, more popularly known as Ben&Ben, performed in a full band setup with their recently formed group for the opening act of the night. The folk-pop ensemble, who gained a huge following not only in the indie scene but also in mainstream music industry, played their hit songs “Kathang Isip,”Ride Home,” and “Leaves” to name a few.
Ben&Ben said it was such an honor for them to open for Cynthia Alexander’s show and that she’s been one of their greatest inspiration in music.
Cynthia Alexander and Ben&Ben also shared the stage to sing a rendition of Joey Ayala’s “Dumaan Ako”.
Here are some of the highlights of the show:
.@BenAndBenMusic opens with “Tinatangi” here at Cythia Alexander’s album launch. pic.twitter.com/R38QjRs7u9
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
.@BenAndBenMusic performs “Sa Panaginip” for the first time — a song they’ve written for a cancer patient.
Nope. We’re not getting emotional here. 🙃😭 pic.twitter.com/uJ8KPcnPAt
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
.@BenAndBenMusic says it’s such an honor for them to open for Cynthia Alexander’s show tonight and she’s been one of their greatest inspiration in music. pic.twitter.com/ZGrRrqj5aM
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
“And all will be alright in time
Ohh you never really love someone until you learn to forgive”Performing “Leaves” here at the Music Museum. 💖 pic.twitter.com/BIzVsNczDt
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
“My, my heart is my own. I’ll carry on, I’ll carry on…” @BenAndBenMusic ✨ pic.twitter.com/zUMhbILWh1
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
.@BenAndBenMusic wraps it up with “Ride Home.” 💖🎶 pic.twitter.com/Dwa6DcqTOV
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
Getting all the feels with @BenAndBenMusic’s “Kathang Isip”! 💖💖💖
P.S. ang galing nyo naman masyado 😭💖👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Y74SbXeY81
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
“I walk down the road
I look up at the sky
Now I know why”Cynthia Alexander performs “Walk Down The Road”. pic.twitter.com/JsXiV2skiz
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
Now performing “U &I” here at the Music Musem. 💖✨ pic.twitter.com/jJQiCLMlDl
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
Cynthia Alexander performs songs from her newest album, “Even Such Is Time”. pic.twitter.com/IW6ggOYZ71
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
Now singing “Knowing There Is Only Now”. ✨ pic.twitter.com/S4QERCkelZ
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
“Paikot-ikot, ikot, ikot lang
Paulit, ulit, ulit, ulit lang naman…”💃💃💃 pic.twitter.com/UWUxbWQMIz
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
Cynthia Alexander performs “Even Such Is Time,” a song from her latest album. pic.twitter.com/u3Wob1uXEx
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
“The weather reports
Stormy weather
Look me in the eye
Its true what they say!
Its no surprise then why
Why I'm feeling hung
No wonder why”The crowd is feeling the warmth of Cynthia Alexander’s songs here! 💖 pic.twitter.com/QKTVYtkOJQ
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
Ben&Ben is back on stage with Cynthia Alexander! 💖
Cynthia thanks her brother Joey Ayala for lending his guitar to her. She also shared that he bought her first guitar when she was 13. pic.twitter.com/Rz4ZG0tdyW
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
“Kaya kong mahintay sa mga tula mo,
Makinig sa awit mula sa kabilang dako…”Now singing “Dumaan Ako”. ✨ pic.twitter.com/3a4ARK1wDh
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
Cynthia Alexander is taking us to places with “Comfort In Your Strangeness”. 💖💖💖 pic.twitter.com/tHNuBR7oaP
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
Dreamy performance of her new song, “Dream”. ✨🎶 pic.twitter.com/9ujRlA98KU
— POP! (@InqPOP) January 13, 2018
The show was presented by Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) and SOS Movement, in partnership with Gabi Na Naman Productions and Vandals On The Wall.