I got to The Town Hall that night already in a decent mood: excited, because Aimee Mann is one of those songwriters whose records I turn to again and again. The venue is old-school New York charm, intimate enough to feel connected but large enough that there’s breathe in the air. When Aimee came on stage, the lights dimmed, people settled, and the show felt like it would be thoughtful, quietly powerful, and emotionally honest — which is exactly what I came for.
Setlist
Here’s the setlist from that night:
- It’s Christmas Time
- You’re a Gift
- Supernova
- Winter Wonderland
- Christmas Is Interesting
- 2600
- Re: Your Brains
- What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
- Same Song
- Ho Ho Ho
- I’ll Be Home for Christmas (If Only in My Dreams)
- The Week Between
- Calling on Mary
- The Ballad of the Christmas Donkey
- Merry Christmas, Baby
- Why Can’t I?
- Save Me
- A Bottle of Buckie
- No Sir
- Voices Carry
- You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
- Jesus Christ Superstar
- Christmas Time Is Here
What Worked (and What I Enjoyed)
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Vibe and pacing: Aimee set a steady tone. She opened with something festive (“It’s Christmas Time”, “Winter Wonderland”) which was a bit of a surprise but worked to warm up the crowd. Then she moved into her deeper, more familiar material. The flow from lighter moments to heavier ones felt pretty natural; by the encore I was fully invested.
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Collaborations / Covers: The moments with Liz Phair (on “Supernova”) gave the show a sparkle. It’s always interesting to hear someone you respect step into a cover or join in—unexpected but satisfying. And the covers themselves felt respectful, not gimmicky—she treated them gently, making them fit her voice and sensibility.
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Songwriting & emotion: She pulled off the bittersweet better than most. Songs like “Save Me”, “Driving Sideways”, “Wise Up” really cut through — the lyrics, the phrasing, the soft tension in her voice. I remember being struck by how the quieter songs weren’t overpowered; the band played with restraint, letting her lyrics and voice breathe.
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Intimate moments: In smaller songs (“That’s Just What You Are”, “Choice in the Matter”), the intimacy of Town Hall was in her favor. You could hear every line, every nuance. She didn’t try to overreach, which meant some of the tenderest parts of her catalogue got their due.
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Musicianship: The band was tight. The arrangements were clean. No huge bombast, but that’s not what the show wanted. Some subtle keys, tasteful guitar work, and enough dynamic contrast that the louder moments had impact.
What Fell a Bit Short (for Me)
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Expectations vs delivery: Because I love her albums so much, sometimes I expect live shows to match up in terms of energy or variation. Aimee’s strength is her songwriting, not fireworks, so it’s always an unbalanced trade: emotional depth vs showy spectacle. I didn’t expect fireworks, but there were times early on I wished for a little more drive or expansion in some songs.
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Setlist gaps: Even though the setlist was strong, there were a few of my favorites I wanted to hear that didn’t make the cut. Sometimes a show like this is as much about what isn’t played as what is. But you can’t have everything.
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Transitions: There were a few moments between songs where it felt like tuning, minor adjustments, or just a pause that broke momentum. Not major, but in a show that thrives on flow, those tiny breaks are noticeable.
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Encore length: The encore was fairly short. After the main set, I was hoping for a bigger send-off, maybe another song or two, especially because the room was with her.
Highlights
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“Save Me” was transcendent live. Something about hearing it in that room — you could feel the emotional weight, and people were quiet.
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“Voices Carry” felt especially poignant: there’s a kind of resigned hope in it that came through in her performance.
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The cover of “Supernova” with Liz Phair added a brightness and surprise that shook up the set in a good way.
Overall Feel
By the end, I felt glad I went. It wasn’t a blow-your-mind concert, but it didn’t need to be. It was a reminder why Aimee Mann’s music matters: vulnerability, smart lyrics, vocal honesty. There’s no pretense; you go in knowing you probably won’t get pyrotechnics or huge surprises, but you’ll get something real. Something that stays after you leave.
If I could grade it: solid A minus. Strong writing, strong delivery. A few things I would tweak if this were my show to produce (just to smooth pacing or give more encore), but I left satisfied.
Who Would Love It / Who Might Be Left Wanting
If you’re someone who treasures lyrical craftsmanship, quiet intensity, and emotional depth—this show was likely a gift. If you prefer big, explosive live presence or huge sing-along moments, this might’ve felt a bit restrained. But even then, there’s something in Aimee’s restraint that feels like a strength rather than shortcoming, once you settle into it.
Closing Thoughts
Walking out of Town Hall after the show, I felt calm but emotionally stirred. It was like reading a good book rather than watching an action movie. Sometimes that’s more meaningful. I still think of songs from that night — “Save Me”, “Wise Up”, “Voices Carry” — and how live they felt, how alive they made the room. If you ever get a chance to see her, especially in a venue like Town Hall, go. The experience is quiet but deep, and it lingers in the best possible way.