Straight out of a fairytale
By Carmela Isabel Sta. Ana
3rd Year, BA in Multimedia Entertainment Management
The small dreams of a little girl with a passion for music became a reality for an artist who now plays sold-out arenas around the world. Laufey, an Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist, graces everyone with her flawless voice and relatable experiences, making everyone feel seen and heard. Each act in her concerts is like chapters of a storybook coming to life, tied together by the one main character—and it was only a matter of time before she told the same fairytale in Manila.
From May 26 to 28, 2026, Laufey brought her fairytale to the Mall of Asia arena. Her A Matter of Time concert resembled a Cinderella-inspired royal ball with the whimsical set design, enchanting visuals, and elegant instrumentals. The fans, or so-called “Filipino Lauvers,” dressed up with bows, lace, and elegant outfits, mirroring the concert’s theme. While waiting for the concert to begin, the stage and crowd channeled a scene from a storybook.
As the clock struck 8:00 at night, the lights dimmed, the spell was cast, and the crowd was immediately spellbound.
The spell was cast. It was magic. She was magical
Laufey gracefully walked onto center stage, waving to the crowd in her beautiful, flowy, sparkling, yellow dress. She opened with her song, “Clockwork,” which paralleled the ringing bells when the clock struck twelve in Cinderella. However, unlike Cinderella’s, whose spell broke at midnight, Laufey’s story had just begun. It was followed by “Lover Girl”; despite being about hopeless romance, her orchestra and flawless voice made the night feel romantic.
It had only begun, and it had set the stage for the entire evening. Her raw, unfiltered voice sounded surreal as she performed all of her songs with skillful consistency. In her song “Bored,” she sat alone beneath the spotlight, as the audience sang along in utter awe, making the experience feel even more enchanting.
Aside from captivating the audience, she heard them; she created a shared space, making everyone part of the magic. More than just a simple ad-lib or monologue to transition to her next song, she was sincere. With her mellow voice, she remarked, “You are all so talented.” Her voice was angelic, as if she were a princess who had come to life.
From her upbeat songs, the end of Act I was signaled by her quick costume change and slow transition into the jazz set of Act II. She sang her famous ballad “Valentine,” emphasizing her belief in love.
Yet, her mesmerizing voice was only a part of it. She could do anything. She wasn’t just a singer but also a musician—an artist in many ways. She flawlessly moved from instrument to instrument throughout the night. Her versatility stunned the audience, moving between the guitar, piano, and cello, alongside her romantic and emotional songs “Too Little, Too Late” and “Let You Break My Heart Again.”
When a fairytale takes unexpected turns
On top of her performance, she still had tons of surprises.
On the first night, combining an activity Filipinos love, Karaoke. One of the highlights was the interactive “Karaoke pack,” wherein the crowd harmonized to “I Wish You Love.”
On the second night, the audience was astonished by her unexpected performance with BINI singing “From the Start” together. Their collaboration was a continuation of their encounter at the Billboard Women’s Music Awards in Los Angeles. She had tricks up her sleeve and made dreams come true–just like magic.
Something that wasn’t a surprise, still the most anticipated part of the night, was the announcement of the Best Dressed Guest. Three members of the audience thought out of the box amidst the bows, laces, and vintage-inspired outfits, rewarding them with a special moment.
Laufey’s mascot, Mei Mei, made an appearance every night; however, the third night brought an extra surprise. The Filipino Pride, Jollibee, chose the best-dressed audience member that night, alongside Mei Mei and Laufey.
She created an unforgettable moment for both the best-dressed guest and the audience by singing a fan-favorite, “Magnolia.” These unexpected moments gave each show its own story.
Beyond the magic
In every fairytale, there is always a moral of the story—lessons that beauty comes from within, like in Beauty and the Beast, or that kind-heartedness, patience, and humility will always be seen, like in Cinderella. Throughout the concert, all of these shone through her uplifting messages.
Through the stories in her songs, Laufey expressed various heartfelt messages related to her experiences and growth, making it feel less like a concert and more like storytelling through music. Without memorizing all of her songs’ lyrics word-for-word, their messages were clear. Whether they centered on growing up, heartbreak, or romance, these messages were relatable through her songs.
Her song “Snow White” symbolizes dealing with insecurities and how many of us are expected to fit inside a box, but she reminds us that there are different kinds of boxes each of us fits into. She shares the message that it is okay to deal with insecurities, whether they be emotional, physical, or related to relationships. However, she highlights the most important message: that you’re not alone in your insecurities.
She ended her concert with the song “Letter to My 13 Year Old Self,” leaving the audience with a simple message: follow your (silly) dream. It’s a reminder that whatever your dream is, it will be worth reaching for because that’s what she did; she ignored the voices that put her down and stayed true to herself.
Closing the night, Laufey thanked everyone with her soft-spoken voice, displaying the warmth of a princess. She often spoke about the importance of dreams, insecurities, and growth, connecting with the audience. Her revelations weren’t extraordinary, but they reflected the same sincerity in her music. Despite her global success, with sold-out shows and endless tours on every continent, she carried herself with humility. Her warmth exuded how success and kindness can coexist and be used as a platform to inspire and touch others’ lives.
More than a fairytale
A combination of talent and hard work made the magic possible—for the tour and for her whole career. Her concert was more than just a show; Laufey herself made it feel like everyone was a part of it. Every moment, every line, and message inspired everyone with the meaning of the story she was trying to tell.
The magic was not merely the whimsical production or the music, but a reminder that dreams come true, growth takes time, and kindness should be shared all around you. Like every fairytale, the night ended. The words “The End” flashed on screen, the lights dimmed, the music faded—but the feeling it left behind lingered.