Pit-Dweller Media | Blog | Washington, D.C., United States

Ingrid Michaelson Wrapped The Lincoln Theatre In Holiday Cheer | 12.6.25

Nate Payne
Dec 13

Photos & Words by: Nate Payne

Ingrid Michaelson turned the Lincoln Theatre into a glowing holiday sanctuary last weekend, delivering a Christmas concert that felt both intimate and festive. Framed by red and green backdrop lighting and accented with red and green flower leis draped across the microphones, the evening unfolded like a living holiday card, thoughtfully composed and filled with genuine cheer.

Ingrid Michaelson | The Lincoln Theatre | Washington, DC | Nate Payne Photography | 12.6.25

Michaelson, an enduring force in indie folk-pop, was clearly at home in her seasonal repertoire. From the moment she and her band stepped onstage, the room buzzed with anticipation. One of the night’s standout moments came with a spirited cover of Mele Kalikimaka, the beloved National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation favorite. Michaelson’s playful delivery, paired with the band’s lush arrangement, transformed the song into a joyful singalong, drawing laughter and smiles from across the crowd.

She also reached into her catalog with “Christmas Lights” from her 2019 album Stranger Songs, a project inspired by the eerie nostalgia of Stranger Things. Performed live, the song shimmered with a quieter magic, offering a reflective counterpoint to the evening’s brighter moments. Its gentle tone added emotional depth, reminding the audience that the holidays often carry both joy and longing.

Cheers swept through the theatre when Michaelson launched into “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year,” a crowd favorite co-written with Zooey Deschanel. The song’s optimism resonated throughout the room, with voices joining in and turning the performance into a shared expression.

Setlist: Ingrid Michaelson | The Lincoln Theatre | Washington, DC | Nate Payne Photography | 12.6.25

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Mele Kalikimaka

Home

Maybe

Be OK

Christmas Valentine

The Chain

Christmas Lights

You and I

Winter Song

Song for a Winter's Night

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

The Way I Am

I'll Be Home for Christmas

Girls Chase Boys

Encore:

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Michaelson didn’t just perform a holiday concert she created a shared memory for the entire crowd. The show checked all the seasonal boxes, leaving the audience with the unmistakable feeling that they were walking away carrying a small piece of the holiday spirit with them. For more information about Ingrid Michaelson, please visit the links below.

Ingrid Michaelson Social Media

Ingrid Michaelson | The Lincoln Theatre | Washington, DC | Nate Payne Photography | 12.6.25

Photos contained within this site may not be reproduced, downloaded, stored, copied, manipulated, altered, or used in any form without prior written permission.

Photography By:

Enslow Dazzles DC9 Nightclub in Washington, DC | 12.5.25

Nate Payne
Dec 12

Photos & Words by: Nate Payne

Baltimore-based modern pop sensation Enslow lit up Washington, DC, headlining an unforgettable night at DC9 Nightclub alongside The Soularites and Astronaut Class. The second floor of DC9 buzzed with futuristic pop energy as Enslow took center stage, instantly captivating the crowd with her signature charisma and stellar sound.

Enslow | DC9 Nightclub | Washington, DC | Nate Payne Photography | 12.5.25

Enslow delivered a dynamic set drawn from her recent albums Crush and Hello, seamlessly blending high-energy pop anthems with intimate, heartfelt love songs. Each track sparked a fresh wave of excitement, sending the audience on an electric-laced, space-age roller coaster. The energy in the room was contagious as fans cheered and danced, fully swept up in the magic.

Her interaction with the audience was radiant. Enslow shared playful banter, encouraged sing-alongs, and fostered a sense of shared euphoria that elevated every note. The connection she cultivated made each moment feel both personal and larger-than-life, drawing the crowd further into her orbit.

Visually, Enslow was an astrophysical fashion showstopper. She took the stage in a striking red futuristic mirrored skirt that shimmered under the lights, evoking 1960s Jane Jetson pop-star vibes while remaining unmistakably modern. Every movement caught the light, reflecting the room’s energy and the pulse of her music back to the audience.

The Soularites and Astronaut Class set the stage, infusing the crowd with groove-heavy energy that complemented Enslow’s cosmic pop. By the time Enslow closed her set, DC9 was humming with excitement having been transformed into a futuristic playground buzzing in the afterglow of something special.

Enslow continues to prove why she is a rising star in modern pop, shimmering in stellar fashion while dazzling audiences wherever she performs. Her DC9 debut demonstrated that she is an artist who knows how to combine infectious energy, showmanship, and heartfelt connection into an unforgettable live experience. With her magnetic stage presence, space-age aesthetic, and unstoppable musicality, Enslow is poised to continue her meteoric rise, one electrifying performance at a time.

Washington, DC may have seen her for the first time at DC9, but it’s clear that this is only the beginning of Enslow’s stellar journey through the pop universe. For more information about Enslow, please visit the links below.

Enslow Social Media

Enslow | DC9 Nightclub | Washington, DC | Nate Payne Photography | 12.5.25

Photos contained within this site may not be reproduced, downloaded, stored, copied, manipulated, altered, or used in any form without prior written permission.

Photography By:

The Wood Brothers Unleash Puff of Smoke at The 9:30 Club in Washington, DC | 12.4.25

Nate Payne
Dec 10

Photos & Words by: Nate Payne

Last Thursday, The Wood Brothers returned to Washington, DC and transformed the 9:30 Club into a warm listening room for the release of their latest album, Puff of Smoke. The historic venue felt like the ideal home to return to for a band that has spent nearly two decades blurring the lines between Americana, folk, soul, and roots rock.

The Wood Brothers | 9:30 Club | Washington, DC | Nate Payne Photography | 12.4.25

The Wood Brothers’ set leaned confidently into new material, with selections from Puff of Smoke woven among longtime favorites. Songs like “Witness,” “Is It Up To You,” and “Pray God Listens” hushed the crowd with thoughtful, searching lyrics, their grooves simple but deeply felt. Rather than separating new songs from old, The Wood Brothers bounced effortlessly between eras, letting familiar jams frame the fresh album and allowing the new songs to settle in naturally. It was a reminder that their catalog is less a collection of albums and more an evolving conversation.

Enslow | The Recher | Towson, MD | Nate Payne Photography | 10.24.25

Chris Wood’s elastic bass lines anchored the night with a familiar swagger, while Oliver Wood’s vocals carried a weathered sincerity that echoed through the close quarters of the 9:30 Club, much like in years past. Jano Rix, equal parts percussionist and sonic architect, colored the performance with textures that kept the sound adventurous without losing its signature rootsy core. Together, the trio moved with telepathic ease, stretching songs when the moment called for it and pulling back just as quickly, always in service of feel rather than flash.

Setlist: The Wood Brothers | 9:30 Club | 12.5.25

Blue & Green

Puff of Smoke

Witness

Alabaster

Shoofly Pie

Can't get enough

Money Song

Heartbreak Lullaby

When I Was Young

Is It Up to You

The Trick

Stumbled In

Pray God Listens

The Muse

You Choose Me

Postcards From Hell

Honey Jar

Encore:

Luckiest Man

Click to listen to Puff of Smoke on Spotify

Earlier in the evening, I had the opportunity to photograph the band and watch them rehearse a few songs before they went on stage. Even in that informal setting, it was clear how intentionally they approach their live shows. After just a few minutes, you could see how special they wanted to make the night for the audience. They tested new sounds and combinations, reshaping arrangements and experimenting with ideas they’d never tried before. The green room felt less like a backstage refuge and more like a laboratory, with three true musical mad scientists dialing in details that most fans would never realize were being invented in real time, minutes before their own concert experience. That sense of care translated directly to the stage. The performance never felt forced or rehearsed, but alive and changing, as if the band were discovering new facets of the songs alongside the audience.

As The Wood Brothers continue their Puff of Smoke tour through the spring of 2026, this Washington, DC stop stood as a compelling snapshot of a band still curious, still restless, and still deeply committed to the shared experience of live music. For more information about The Wood Brothers and their tour, please check out the links below.

The Wood Brothers Social Media

The Wood Brothers | 9:30 Club | Washington, DC | Nate Payne Photography | 12.4.25

Photos contained within this site may not be reproduced, downloaded, stored, copied, manipulated, altered, or used in any form without prior written permission.

Photography By:

MUSIC WILL SAVE US ALL