Ingrid Michaelson, and opener Sugar and the Hi Lows, brightened a rainy Tuesday night last week at Park West. The singer has been lighting up the country with her beautiful acoustic tour. Though she was battling a taxing cold, she delivered an electrifying performance.

Sugar and the Hi Lows is a dynamic duo from Nashville that started the night off perfectly. They provided an opening set filled with energetic tunes and tambourines filled with glitter. Their unique sound filled the venue with a striking culmination of modernized blues and folk; they had the audience buzzing with anticipation. The duo delivered a haunting cover of The Lumineers’ “Ho Hey” that left everyone speechless, but applauding wildly.

When Michaelson came onto the stage, the audience embraced her with energy. Her entrance was fuss-free and delightfully low-key. She walked out quietly and humbly, letting the audience know that the whole “acoustic thing” was still new to her.

The show, from start to finish, was as lovely and down-to-earth as Michaelson is herself. The stage was lit with candles and she shared her songs calmly and generously.

Michaelson’s shows are not only infused with incredible music, but down-to-earth hilarity as well. The singer-songwriter studied improv in the past and her wry sense of humor drives every show along. She has the unique ability to belt out a melody, leaving the audience in tears, and then launch directly into an anecdote that has the crowd rolling in laughter. Her rambling nature is absolutely hysterical and perfectly engaging. It delivers a show with an amusing ebb and flow that transports the audience.

This particular tour is known as Michaelson’s “acoustic tour,” though it does not differ much from her “regular” tour that took place last year. While she brought back some old favorites and tweaked her new work, little has changed. She strikes a balance between those who detest change and those who want to experiment with her, though those who are expecting something completely new may be disappointed.

Michaelson sang her well-known single “Ghost” without her band on the stage. Though she was incredibly sick, her voice took on a level of power that is seldom reached. It was wonderfully chilling, and without a doubt some of her finest work.

Michaelson also dusted off old favorite “Lady in Spain” and gave it to her audience like a small gift that she had been saving. The song captured every heart in the room; its quirk and gusto were impossible to forget.

Closing her encore with the gentle and spunky “You and I,” Michaelson’s entire band sang together. Their chemistry on stage was comical and warming. They goofed around and laughed along with the audience at their band member who cannot sing, while still delivering an absolutely beautiful and lasting song. It drove the concert straight into everyone’s memory.

Michaelson’s music is quietly profound; it seems to mirror her benevolence and subtlety. It never takes itself too seriously, but manages to transport audience after audience with its ethereal nature. While Michaelson’s may gaze down at her audience from the stage, it is apparent that she views them as equal. Her humility and grace will continue to cover the nation as this tour continues.