American Idol Alum Maddie Poppe and singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson brought the “Upside-Down” to Boston’s House of Blues for their Stranger Things themed “The Dramatic Tour.”
Maddie, humbled by her newly earned famed, revealed to the audience that she had attended a Michaelson show just four years prior as a fan. Now opening for Ingrid “has been next level” Poppe said with a confident smile.
Poppe played songs from her 2019 release, Whirlwind. Catchy lyrics were threaded through her set; which included “Roses” and “Nothing Good Comes Out of California” compelling fans to sing along. Poppe noted that “Nothing Good Comes Out of California” is a tribute to her hometown of Clarksville, IA. “California did change me, but for the better,” she reminisced.
Poppe reprised her cover of “Rainbow Connection” from Idol; sadly without Kermit the Frog. Prefacing the song, she recalled some American Idol fans were appalled that her duet partner had been a puppet. But notably honored, she confirmed to the audience, “He’s a star!”
She continued with other covers including 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Going On” and Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay.”
Poppe closed her set as Ingrid Michaelson took the stage.
With a Stranger Things logo inspired backdrop and a matching jean jacket that read “Stranger Songs,” Ingrid began her set with “Freak Show.”
Her set included “The Way I Am,” “Be OK,” “Girls Chase Boys,” and numerous hits from her 12 year music career.
As the band began to play “Be Ok,” the crowd started to hand Ingrid gifts including bracelets, notes and even a $20 bill; which prompted her to freestyle to the tune playing behind her singing. “We love you Boston, you people are crazy. They give me money, and Bracey-lets,” Michaelson attempted to rhyme, then joking said, “That’s why I’m not a rapper.”
Ingrid went on to surprise the crowd with a young fan dressed as the Stranger Things character, “Eleven;” who sang “Pretty.” She also welcomed Maddie back on stage for a fully fan interactive version of “You and I” and then to the revved up crowded debuted one of the songs she wrote for The Notebook Musical soon to hit broadway.
Before ending the show with a cover of Madonna’s “Material Girl” complete with crowns, choreography, and an Infinity Gauntlet glove, Ingrid thanked Boston for their consistent enthusiasm saying “This city brings such positivity and energy to this show.”
Then with a flick of her wrist, the lights went out and the crowd cheered.
Amelia Cordischi, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Juice Box Press, is an accomplished digital marketing professional with over a decade of experience in media and communications. Her work has been featured in notable publications, including The Boston Globe. A communications graduate of Simmons University in Boston, Amelia served as manager of Simmons College Radio (“The Shark”), where she also launched and co-hosted her radio show, The Find.
In addition to her editorial work, Amelia is an established freelance photographer, with bylines in Blended Magazine and CelebMix, capturing artists and cultural moments across the music and media landscape. Her career began at WCVB-TV’s Chronicle, the ABC affiliate in Boston, where she gained firsthand experience in broadcast journalism and storytelling.
When she’s not taking photos from the photo pit, interviewing emerging artists, or crafting the next Juice Box Press feature, Amelia can be found thrifting and exploring the world of sustainable fashion.