So last night was my third time seeing Ingrid and the band. Each time has been in Pittsburgh, the last 3 years. And each time she and her crew of eccentric personalities make the hour drive to Pittsburgh more than worth it!

This show was actually at Mr. Small’s Theatre in Millvale, PA, which is just over the river from downtown Pittsburgh. I managed to get lost 3 times getting there, but I eventually found it. I walked up the steps to the queue of people and told the man waiting that I was on the guest list (somewhat profoundly, because after all, how many times does someone get to be on a guest list for a rock group!?). He radioed in my last name as I waited impatiently to get inside and get a drink. The woman radios back, and she says, “Thrasher…that’s a negative.”

I am standing there paralyzed in shock. “What do you mean? I’m definitely on the list. I was put on there by Brian Vinikoor.” I thought name-dropping would boost my chances, or at the very least cause people standing in line watching this unfold to wonder who the hell I was. But that was all shot to hell when the guy checking tickets said, “I’ve never heard that name before in my life.”

The line to get in to the venue of die-hard Ingrid fans. Pouring rain/ice.

So, after a few e-mails from my phone, calling multiple people inside, outside, and in Los Angeles, they finally found the guest list that my name was on and put an admission bracelet on my wrist. So, I stood in the line of people waiting to get in, and surely enough it starts pouring down rain. Then the rain turned to ice. I was standing there getting soaking wet for a good 25-30 minutes! However, by the end of the night, I have to say: it was all worth it.

I don’t want to go on and on about Greg Laswell, but he was definitely a very nice surprise. I hadn’t had a chance to research him before the show because I have been so busy, but was very impressed with his voice and songwriting. I’ll probably end up being a fan eventually.

Ingrid and the band, as expected, performed beautifully and to the audience’s liking the entire night. Tonight’s show was the last stop of their North American tour, and their 47^th show in 2 months. Allie Moss, Ingrid’s guitarist and usual back up vocalist, had lost her voice, but still smiled, laughed, and even sang some parts. What a trooper! You would never know they were tired, or sick of what they were doing because the energy was consistent the entire show, even with Allie Moss as a mute.

The crowd forming hearts during Ingrid Michaelson's song, "The Hat" at Mr. Small's Theater, Pittsburgh, PA, 11.5.09

One thing that I picked up on early in the performance was Ingrid’s voice. Given the last time she performed in Pittsburgh she was sick, I have to say that her tone and timbre of her voice was a lot richer and developed than I ever remember it. This was particularly noticeable in the second song of the night, “Die Alone.” I’m not a professional by any means, but as a constant Ingrid YouTuber, and follower, it was something that caught my…ears.

Her set list also had some unique features. She played a new untitled song, which has made its way to YouTube thanks to me a die-hard fan. After the song, she asked what it should be named, to which a voice behind me gave a suggestion. I guess we’ll wait and see if it makes the next album, and if she took his advice. Here’s the YouTube video of the new song:

Immediately following that song, she introduced another new song: a duet with Greg Laswell. This song is also untitled, unrecorded and unpublished. It was a very ‘happy in-love type of song’ and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say that maybe Greg and Ingrid are in to each other? A friend I was with noticed that they both had wedding rings on, so who knows? It will be interesting if we find this out for sure somewhere down the road.

After the show was finished, Ingrid did 2 encores, including a Mexican-food themed version of her current single “Maybe,” which the audience ate up absolutely loved.

Overall, the show was a huge success, and Ingrid and her band’s musicianship made for what many would call an entertaining, fun, and enjoyable evening.

I have to say thank you first to Brian Vinikoor for making the arrangements for me to see the show. I really really appreciate it, and I’m not sure there’s anyone who could appreciate these efforts more than I. Also, thank you to the merchandise manager, Lauren Glucksman, for being so helpful with the misunderstanding with the guest list, saving my ass from the rain, and for being so fun after the show!

Here is my official Flickr set of photos from last night’s show.

Click here for Ingrid Michaelson’s official website
Click here for Allie Moss’ official website
Click here for Bess Rogers’ official website

All 3 artists’ music is available for download on iTunes and Amazon.

Here was the set list for the night:

Soldier
Die Alone
Once Was Love
First Love
Be OK
You and I
The Chain
New Song (Untitled)
Duet with Greg Laswell (Untitled)
Giving Up
Mountain And The Sea
Maybe
Keep Breathing
Locked Up
The Way I Am
Maybe (Mexican Food Mix) – Encore 1
Far Away – Encore 2