Tuesday
Oct262010
Worth the Wait
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 3:30AM
On Saturday night we made a kind of spur of the moment decision to go and see Ingrid Michaelson perform. Nicole had some friends who were going, so we tagged along. We'd seen her before, and knew what to expect; she has pretty nice relaxing songs, and puts on a good show.
What we did not expect, was for the concert to be sold out. But sure enough, we got to the box office, promptly ready to pay for our tickets, before being told it was sold out and there were no tickets left. Bummer! But just at the moment, a girl came up to the box office, asking to sell a spare ticket back. We jumped at the opportunity, and bought the ticket at face value, saving about $8. Luckily, we didn't have to pay the "rip-off" charges of processing and handling fees.
But this still left us a ticket short. Nicole's friends went into the theatre to get a good spot, and me and Nicole patrolled the entrance ways, hoping to find another poor soul with a spare ticket. The minutes ticked by, and we were having no luck. We spoke to stewards and the box office staff, but there were no returns. In the end, Nicole went into the theatre to make sure she got a spot too, while I tried by best to find a ticket.
Half an hour went by, after the scheduled start time. I just kept walking in circles, seemingly out of luck.
I was about to call it quits and head back home, literally planning on just staying 2 minutes longer, when one of the stewards came up to me. Her and her boss were wondering where the girl had gone whose boyfriend didn't have a ticket. "That's me!" I said, "I am the boyfriend". She thought I might be, and I told them I sent Nicole on in to enjoy the show. The boss man said he'd see what he could do, and walked over to the box office. He returned, minus a ticket, but said they could just let me.
I was shocked. The steward stamped by hand, and asked where Nicole was. She was in the downstairs area, which had long been shut off because it was full. Back to the boss man, who magically produced a wristband to allow me access to it. I couldn't believe my luck. That there are still such generous people like these two out there astounded me. Though it really shouldn't, as I am sure they exist in all aspects of life, but go unknown and un-rewarded. Anyhow, the steward led me to the doors, and told the ticket guys that I would be the only person without a ticket, but they should let me in and remember me.
And in I went. Free of charge! Incredible, and so lucky I waited so long to get in. Well worth it.
The show was totally worth the wait too. It was always going to be good, but it really was great. Nicole and I co-wrote a review of it for the Badger Herald blog here;
http://badgerherald.com/blogs/arts/2010/10/24/ingrid_michaelson_le.php
But there was a lot we didn't get to say because of space. Devoted to her fans, Ingrid aims not just to come out on stage and sing her songs, but to entertain. Too many bands regurgitate their album, making you feel as though you could have just as easily skipped the cost of a ticket and stayed at home sat next to your speakers. An Ingrid show on the other hand, makes every song different. Accompanied by her five band members, two of whom are singer-songwriters in their own right, Ingrid rocked the stage, and the band gelled well together, making even mellow songs upbeat and full of energy.
Her anecdotes were very funny, and make her appear just as a normal "fan" of music, not a star in her own right. She is "awkwardly famous" in some ways. And she wasn't afraid to talk about the fickleness of the music industry, drawing laughs while talking about the stupidness of an encore, telling it like it is. Instead of leaving the stage just to come back, the band simply 'hid' on stage; just to make a point.
Some of her new songs, including one called "Parachutes", written for Cheryl Cole, seemed to me a little too poppy, almost like Ingrid was trying to tap into the fan base of superstar girl pop acts like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, introducing synths which did not appear to gel with Michaelson's style. However, the songs soon won me over, and Ingrid showed her talents stretched to these more upbeat rocky songs too.
Overall, the laughs and the music made it a great show, and Ingrid really showed why her fan base continues to grow. I'll be looking forward to her next album.
What we did not expect, was for the concert to be sold out. But sure enough, we got to the box office, promptly ready to pay for our tickets, before being told it was sold out and there were no tickets left. Bummer! But just at the moment, a girl came up to the box office, asking to sell a spare ticket back. We jumped at the opportunity, and bought the ticket at face value, saving about $8. Luckily, we didn't have to pay the "rip-off" charges of processing and handling fees.
But this still left us a ticket short. Nicole's friends went into the theatre to get a good spot, and me and Nicole patrolled the entrance ways, hoping to find another poor soul with a spare ticket. The minutes ticked by, and we were having no luck. We spoke to stewards and the box office staff, but there were no returns. In the end, Nicole went into the theatre to make sure she got a spot too, while I tried by best to find a ticket.
Half an hour went by, after the scheduled start time. I just kept walking in circles, seemingly out of luck.
I was about to call it quits and head back home, literally planning on just staying 2 minutes longer, when one of the stewards came up to me. Her and her boss were wondering where the girl had gone whose boyfriend didn't have a ticket. "That's me!" I said, "I am the boyfriend". She thought I might be, and I told them I sent Nicole on in to enjoy the show. The boss man said he'd see what he could do, and walked over to the box office. He returned, minus a ticket, but said they could just let me.
I was shocked. The steward stamped by hand, and asked where Nicole was. She was in the downstairs area, which had long been shut off because it was full. Back to the boss man, who magically produced a wristband to allow me access to it. I couldn't believe my luck. That there are still such generous people like these two out there astounded me. Though it really shouldn't, as I am sure they exist in all aspects of life, but go unknown and un-rewarded. Anyhow, the steward led me to the doors, and told the ticket guys that I would be the only person without a ticket, but they should let me in and remember me.
And in I went. Free of charge! Incredible, and so lucky I waited so long to get in. Well worth it.
The show was totally worth the wait too. It was always going to be good, but it really was great. Nicole and I co-wrote a review of it for the Badger Herald blog here;
http://badgerherald.com/blogs/arts/2010/10/24/ingrid_michaelson_le.php
But there was a lot we didn't get to say because of space. Devoted to her fans, Ingrid aims not just to come out on stage and sing her songs, but to entertain. Too many bands regurgitate their album, making you feel as though you could have just as easily skipped the cost of a ticket and stayed at home sat next to your speakers. An Ingrid show on the other hand, makes every song different. Accompanied by her five band members, two of whom are singer-songwriters in their own right, Ingrid rocked the stage, and the band gelled well together, making even mellow songs upbeat and full of energy.
Her anecdotes were very funny, and make her appear just as a normal "fan" of music, not a star in her own right. She is "awkwardly famous" in some ways. And she wasn't afraid to talk about the fickleness of the music industry, drawing laughs while talking about the stupidness of an encore, telling it like it is. Instead of leaving the stage just to come back, the band simply 'hid' on stage; just to make a point.
Some of her new songs, including one called "Parachutes", written for Cheryl Cole, seemed to me a little too poppy, almost like Ingrid was trying to tap into the fan base of superstar girl pop acts like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, introducing synths which did not appear to gel with Michaelson's style. However, the songs soon won me over, and Ingrid showed her talents stretched to these more upbeat rocky songs too.
Overall, the laughs and the music made it a great show, and Ingrid really showed why her fan base continues to grow. I'll be looking forward to her next album.
Reader Comments (1)
I should go see her!