The Broadcast Starring Michigander

Ashley O’Mara

Michigander, the Indie rock project led by singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jason Singer, brought The Broadcast Starring Michigander Tour through the Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on October 26. The show marked their 13th stop of a long list of tour dates set to continue into February of next year, ending February 7th with a show to celebrate the release of their highly anticipated debut album, Michigander.

Singer-songwriter Cece Coakley kicked off the night with a 6-song setlist, and while unfamiliar to many, the crowd was immediately smitten. The singer took moments to give the audience insight into the meaning of the songs she played, helping them connect more deeply with the emotions and stories behind each track. Coakley played “Bonus,” a recently released song about the little bonuses in life, and a brand new song, released October 29, titled “Oh My God,” about having a crush. The crowd particularly enjoyed the new track, with some exclaiming “wow!,” “so good!,” and “I’m kind of obsessed” as she finished up the song. Coakley left the stage with a whole new wave of fans, all buzzing with excitement over the performance and in eager anticipation of the main event.

Green string lights lit up the backdrop as Michigander took the stage, opening their set with “Broadcast,” a yet to be released track off of their upcoming debut album. They immediately launched into more new music, playing newly released single, “Emotional.” It was clear that the audience has really taken to the new music, singing along to every word of the newly released tracks. There has been some variation in the setlist nightly. On this evening, in addition to fan favorites “Misery,” “Nineties,” “Better,” and “Superglue,”, the audience was treated to “Circles,” a highly requested track which doesn’t often make the setlist. Each member of the band brings an energy that is fun to watch and really enhances the overall dynamic of the performance. Jason Singer really has a way of connecting with the audience. On this evening, there were quite a few young fans in the audience. Singer took the time to address each of them and make them feel special, asking if they were the coolest kids in their class, giving fist bumps, and giving each of them a guitar pick. The band played happy birthday to acknowledge a fan’s 40th birthday, and later in the set, when Singer was showing the audience his favorite TikTok video, that fan saw another special shoutout for her birthday. The audience saw two more unreleased song from the upcoming album, “Important” which featured drummer Aaron Senor on keys, and “Peace of Mind.” The band closed the set with “Let Down” and new fan favorite “Giving Up,” which has seen major success since its release in August.

Exciting things are on the horizon for Michigander. The first three tracks from the upcoming album have already garnered enthusiastic responses from fans who are who are eagerly awaiting what’s next. As anticipation builds, it’s clear that the album will resonate deeply with longtime listeners and attract a new wave of fans. In the meantime, catch Michigander on tour as they promote the upcoming release of their album. Having seen the band live over a dozen times, I can confidently say that they do not disappoint. You won’t want to miss this tour! The remaining tour dates can be found below, and tickets can be purchased here.