The Wiltern embraces Michelle Branch with her “Everywhere and Back Again Tour.”
WRITTEN BY: BRENDA MEJIA
Photo: Brenda Mejia (Photographer)
Michelle Branch took center stage at The Wiltern October 3rd with her “Everywhere and Back Again Tour” bringing our millennials selves into a room to sing all her greatest hits such as, fan favorites like, “Everywhere”, “ Breathe” and many more. As she took the stage for an early fan soundcheck, new regulations followed: video recording or taking pictures was not allowed; really making the room feel like a real 2000’s performance.
Branch lets the audience take lead by choosing two songs that were not on the set list, always a sweet treat. Audience members came to an agreement on “Hotel Paper” and “I’d Rather Be In Love”. The excitement in The Wiltern kept growing as the night commenced. Fans from left to right were connecting all around from Branch. The lights went dim and voices became much louder. A light beams the way for Branch to make way for center stage. Cardboards of 80’s tube TV models stacked on top of each other began to light up…smog filled the stage as Branch rises.
The audience starts screaming at the top of their lungs as the band begins the intro to “Drop In the Ocean”. Born and raised in Sedona, Arizona, Branch considers LA as her second home. She shares her story of securing her record deal right here in California. She states: “I got offered a record deal here at The Wiltern when I first played, but this is the first time I As the night continued, she played hits from her debut album such as, “You Get Me”, “Spirit Room” and also “Leave the Pieces” off her country project The Wreckers.
Photo: Brenda Mejia (Photographer)
Half way through the set Michelle stopped to give her flowers to Lisa Loeb. She had looked up to her since her youth.She had gone to a show in Phoenix, AZ to see her play for the first time when she was younger. At the end of the show she stood in line to meet Lisa at the merch table letting people pass so “I could have more time with Lisa Loeb”.
When meeting Lisa, she told her that she wrote songs and wanted to be like her . To her surprise Lisa host her to play some of her songs for her backstage Branch laughs it off stating she was, “shocked and nervous” when meeting her idol. When she wrapped up her storytime, she called Lisa Loeb to join her on stage to sing “Stay (I Missed You)” a song by Loeb. Just when you thought the night was over, lights were dimmed- suddenly Branch and the band went off stage for just about a minute. The guitar intro to Michelle Branche’s 2000 breakout hit “Everywhere” starts.
Photo: Brenda Mejia (Photographer)
The audience goes wild; crowd jumping singing and even crying as the show came to an end. Michelle Branch thanked everyone for coming and the night came to an end. The audience left satisfied and full of life after witnessing Branch perform live.
Try to catch Michelle Branch in a city near you as she continues to tour “Everywhere and Back Again” until March of 2027. While you’re at it, take a peek at her upcoming EP “Everywhere and Back Again” out November 6th of this year
