The Scene Around: Cynthia Alexander with Joey Ayala at Conspiracy Garden Cafe

02/01/2019 11:55:11 PM 

It's Sunday the 27th, most people are at homes or malls, taking a chill pill for what has been a stressful week. And while are doing the usual family-bonding affairs, Cynthia Alexander had a surprise second show at Conspiracy Cafe – just two weeks since her initial-staged gig.

'17 Nights To Remember (Part 2)

01/21/2018 07:25:38 PM

Regardless of how fiery it has been on all cylinders, it's undeniable that the year 2017 has been a wonderful year. Right in the midst of the mid-2010s band explosion, we have seen it brought a lot of good shits in our Philippine world of music (and we mean quality here, by the way). 

Yours truly have made it to a number of gigs curated by various production outfits (in fact, more than I attended for the past two years). These also include some of the biggest concerts and music festivals that has solely focused on out homegrown talents. That said, here are 17 nights that really left a mark in '17... well, at least for me.

The Scene Around: Mandiriwa: Joey Ayala at Ang Bagong Lumad (The Concert)

09/17/2017 02:20:33 PM

It was in 1992 when this renowned folk singer-songwriter staged a one-time big-time concert at Music Museum, one of the sophisticated music halls in the Metropolitan. That also paved the way for him to release all of his three albums at once during the special evening.

Fast forward to two decades: It was on mid-July 2017 when music event producer Ian Urrutia (known as the man behind Vandals On The Wall) invited me to their latest concert project to date – yes, after the famous Dama (Johnoy Danao, Ebe Dancel, Bullet Dumas) and Secrets (Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal). 

Two months later, I stood inside the halls of Music Museum, witnessing Joey Ayala and his famous crew Ang Bagong Lumad graced the stage of this premier performance venue after merely 25 years. And just when I thought of seeing this at the low end of a VOTW and Gabi Na Naman Productions' risky move, I was wrong. 

Upcoming: Joey Ayala - Mandiriwa

08/24/2017 10:26:48 PM

The last two decades of the 20th century saw the name Joey Ayala and his band called Ang Bagong Lumad popped out of the list of then then-emerging and popular names in the local music scene. But also, it can't be denied that while he excelled best doing the folk poetry in musical motion, other personalities from the rock, pop, and even hiphop genres emerged and have the most shades under the limelight of OPM. 

It was in 1992 when Ayala stepped on the floors of Music Museum, home to one of the famous stages in the Metro Manila concert scene. The now-61 year old musician performed tracks and launched his three debut records "Panganay Ng Umaga," "Magkabilaan," and "Mga Awit ng Tanod-lupa."

But after a long 25-year wait, Ayala is set to perform once again in his major concert at the site that is part of the heart of Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan. Joining him on stage will be Bayang Barrios, Dong Abay, Bullet Dumas, Gloc-9, Juan Miguel Severo, and Ang Bagong Lumad. 

Playback: Joey Ayala – "Papel"

7/19/2013 4:45:35 PM 

Maiba naman tayo. Kung panay underground ang madalas nating tinatampok na musika (bagamat may mainstream na rin lately), ito naman ay isang entry sa isang OPM contest ngayong taon.

Isa sa mga kantang kalahok sa Philpop festival ang kantang ito. Madaalas kong marinig ang ilan sa mga entry sa patimpalak na ito sa Radyo5 92.3 News FM. Pero sa isang kanta lang ang nagustuhan ko ng lubos.

Ang kantang ito ay tumatalakay sa “papel.” As in parehong literal at piguratiba na ibig sabihin. Sa parehong mababaw at malalimang pag-unawa, oo nga, ito ay tumatalakay sa Papel. Sinulat at nilapatan ito ng awit ng isang baitkang mang-aawit na si Joey Ayala. Parehong tipikal na istilo ang klanyang pagkanta na hinaluan na lamang ng modernong tunog. Naalala ko tuloy ang mga cassette tape ng erpat ko sa pakikinig ng kantang ito.

Kasama ni Joey sa pag-interpret ng kantang ito ang rapper na si Gloc-9, ang kanyang protégé na si Denise Barbacena at Silverfilter. Ang music video na ito ay dinirek ni J. Pacena. At kabilang sa album-compilation ng mga kanta na naging finalist sa 2013 Philippine Pop Music Festival sa pamumuno ni Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.