An osmosis of feelings scattered through us and with it an incandescent film of catharsis mesmerised our souls.
We laughed. We cried. We were transported to another place.
The intimacy of aeriqahβs βAll We Haveβ debut album launch, celebrated among family, friends and many fellow musicians was filled with warmth and a caressing simplicity – a much needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life.
Held on a cool Friday night at the multi-purpose hall of Aliwal Arts Centre, opening act Benny first soothed our heads with a collection of four enchanting songs before the main act came on stage.
Their cover of Tropical Hornbills’ βRumahkuβ brought us back to a nostalgic kampung-βhoodβ, crashing waves against the sandy beach and a poignant bliss of poetry that enveloped our hearts; an arrangement that was heartbreakingly beautiful.
As was their final song βApril My Loveβ which felt like a silhouette of petrichor against our pulsating heartbeats.
A ten minute changeover followed, before aeriqahβs glowing vocals and charming stage presence offered us a menu of enthralling emotions and memories of love. And life.
From covers like Jean Seizureβs βShyβ to a self-reflective reminiscence such as βYou & Meβ, every song was a tribute. A story.
Songs like βOne More, Then Iβll Goβ encapsulated the catharsis in a serenading goodbye that was beautiful as it was painful, while βMaybeβ felt like pages in a diary; a personal recollection of hopes and dreams between two people.
I watched as the audience swayed in the swell of emotions, like the waves and tides that eased the turmoil of our souls, because after all, feelings areβ¦All We Have.
Special thanks for the invite and for also allowing me to carry my skateboard into the venue. Too cool!Β