MICHIGANDER live at bowery ballroom
BY HOLLY VAN NESSThe first time I saw Michigander, he opened up for Andrew McMahon in New Jersey. And despite having a shortened set, sharing the supporting slot with another act, frontman Jason Singer put on one of the best performances I had ever seen. It’s no surprise that now, at his own headlining show in New York City, his performance was even better.
Opener Cece Coakley was a fresh face to my discography but did not disappoint. Her music was cozy and her voice was sweet, giving her that perfect “bedroom-pop” vibe. While she was softer than Michigander, she still did an excellent job at getting the crowd ready for a night filled with beautiful music.
The crowd was older than I expected–probably millennial-aged–and many came with groups of friends or partners. Before Michigander even stepped on the stage, the Bowery Ballroom was packed to the brim with excited fans from all around the tri-state area. I spoke to a few fans who traveled from Connecticut to catch the show.
When the band finally stepped onto the stage, the first thing I noticed was how confident they had grown. Leadman Jason Singer wore a snazzy pair of sunglasses and jumped into the music like it was nothing. The music immediately took over the room and fans sang along to every word, holding one another and dancing around the crowded space.
I found myself mesmerized at times–just staring up at the band and watching them perform with such ease. The music surrounded me, reminding me of my best friend back at college and wishing that she could be there with me. There wasn’t a moment where the band, nor anyone in the crowd, looked uncomfortable. It was like performing on that stage was simply the right thing to do.
The band finished with conviction and affirmed my stance that this would not be the last time I caught them in concert. I truly cannot recommend them enough. And, hopefully, next time they come around, I’ll have my best friend by my side as we sing “Cannonball” to one another and get lost in the music.
