There’s something about a holiday show that shifts the tone of a venue — a little more warmth, a little more nostalgia in the air. Michigander’s December set at The Intersection wasn’t just another stop on a tour. It felt like a homecoming. A full crowd, familiar faces, and that blend of big hooks and small-town sincerity that makes a Michigander show what it is.


The Setup

I showed up with my Ricoh GR IIIx and no pressure — just general admission, same small footprint, and the goal of capturing the feel of it more than the form. The Intersection was decked out with subtle holiday touches. Nothing over the top — just enough to give the night that soft seasonal undertone. The crowd skewed local. You could tell a lot of people in that room had been following Jason Singer for years.


The Performance

He opened with “East Chicago, IN,” easing the room into it before building momentum with “Let Down” and “Better.” The energy picked up fast, and by the time he hit “Misery” and “Where Do We Go From Here,” the crowd was all in — arms up, lyrics back, full volume.

What stood out most was the balance — full-band energy layered over personal songwriting. Michigander always sounds polished live, but this set felt looser in the right ways. Holiday shows are like that. A little more storytelling, a few side comments between songs, and a sense that the band isn’t just performing — they’re taking a breath with everyone else before the year wraps up.


Shooting Notes

  • Camera: Ricoh GR IIIx
  • Position: Mid-crowd, drifting stage right
  • Settings: f/2.8, ISO 1600–3200, 1/200 sec
  • Approach: Blend in, shoot through gaps, aim for emotion over sharpness
  • Highlights: Clean white stage wash during “Let Down,” silhouettes during “Reds”


I didn’t need to move much. Just waited, let the lighting fall where it wanted, and captured what it gave me.


The Close

He ended with “Reds” — the room lit only in low amber, the tempo slowing, the lyrics hitting harder in the quiet. It wasn’t loud at the end. It was grounded. Like the show was never about building to a peak — it was about winding down.

Holiday shows hit different. They remind you of time passing. And this one, more than most, felt rooted in place — not just in Grand Rapids, but in the people who’ve kept showing up for Michigander, year after year.