Michigander: Made In The Midwest tour
It’s always special when an artist plays a show in their home state, and this proved to remain true when Michigander made their return to Michigan. The final night of the Made in the Midwest tour, with support from Ohio natives Oliver Hazard, and singer-songwriter Khatumu, ended at the Majestic Theater in Detroit on Wednesday night.
Before the show, it was announced a portion of the proceeds from ticket and merch sales would be donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank to give back and help those in need of food assistance. Who could ask for a better way to spend a night with good music and good people for a good cause?
Khatumu, A New York-turned-LA-based musician, stepped on stage in some big red cowboy boots, ready to kick off the night. With playful and quirky lyrics, written in a songwriting class she took while going to law school, Khatumu quickly had the people scattered before her on her side. Towards the end of her set, accompanied by a banjo, she switched into a cover of “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan, which was sure to have won over any remaining crowd members.
Next to take the stage was Oliver Hazard, a trio from Waterville, Ohio. Oliver Hazard’s music paints pictures in my head. It has that nostalgic, folksy feeling of warm sun rays and fall leaves rustling in the breeze. Their set design and lighting was warm and cozy, placing the crowd in the living room they used to play in. The story was told about the infamous tiny lamps that scattered the stage, starting as a way to bring that living room feel on a larger scale, and when they tried to order a larger one, what actually arrived in the mail was a four inch tall lamp for a dollhouse. “Caesar Knows” and “Raindrop River” were favorites to hear live. Full of harmonies, tambourines, and kick drums, the performance sounded larger than life, like there should be way more than just three men on stage.
As the lights dimmed and the guys of Michigander took to their stations, you could feel the energy oozing off the stage and into the crowd. “Emotional” is one of those songs you can’t help but dance to and was the perfect track to open up the set and to set the tone of the night. The crowd was into it, and frontman Jason Singer loved every minute of it. Singer’s stage presence is electric. Always waving and sticking his tongue out at the crowd, he takes hold of the room every single time. My personal favorite track of the night was “Better,” off the 2021 EP Everything Will Be OK Eventually. Like most songs, hearing these tracks live and feeling the energy poured into them is ten times better than any recording. The setlist was stacked with hit after hit, and before you knew it, the end of the set was drawing near.
Just when you thought the show was over, Michigander had one more surprise up their sleeves. Oliver Hazard and Khathumu emerged on stage once more to perform a group cover of “Wonderwall” by Oasis. Watching the group up on stage, it was clear that you really were just watching a bunch of friends having fun, hanging out, and playing their favorite songs together. After saying his final thank-you’s to friends and family in the crowd, the song faded out and the show came to a close as they all took their final bow.
Every Michigander show in Michigan feels like a family reunion. Everyone in the room is either meeting up with or running into old friends or making new ones. It’s obvious everyone who steps foot on stage loves what they do, and the people they’re doing it with even more. The atmosphere is always so uplifting, which is something that is very needed these days.
Remember, it’s not about who you are; it’s who you’re with. This is Michigander.
