This past Friday, Ingrid Michaelson, an artist of some
of the smoothest, most moving popular songs of our time, visited the Taft Theater. She came to town as part of her acoustic tour. Not only did Michaelson bring her amazing musical talents, but she also brought a personality that seemingly touched all 1,300 in attendance. Sitting down in my orchestralevel seat, I did not know what to expect. Being an avid Michaelson fan, I knew her music is generally mellow and simplistic, the kind of music to think or study to. How this all played into a concert setting was beyond me.
This question was answered immediately the second Michaelson walked on stage. Opening with “Do It Now,” one of the songs off her new album Human Again, Michaelson commanded the stage. While she sounds great on recordings, her voice is so much more powerful and moving in person. Her solo performance of “Ghost” nearly brought me to tears. After playing such powerfully emotional songs as this one, she would lighten the mood by saying. “Psh, that song. Depressing, right?” Not only was she captivating
through her music, Michaelson was just as entertaining between songs. After she finished “Do It Now,” the stage hand forcefully handed her ukulele to her, hitting herself with it. When it happened, Michaelson said, “I hit my face with my ukulele. Isn’t that the nerdiest thing you’ve ever heard? I was getting my ukulele…. And I hit my glasses.” She also had a small bust of Medusa on her piano. She made its eyes glow and cocked her head back accompanied by a creepy, hilarious face. By the end of the night, I wanted to just hang out with Michaelson. Ingrid Michaelson put on one of the most entertaining concerts I have ever attended. A talented musician accompanied with a down-to-earth personality, Ingrid Michaelson is the full package.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025