Songwriters in the Round: An Intimate, Heartfelt Experience

By Evan Lauber.

April 16, 2026

This was my first night at Saratoga Music Hall, located on the 3rd floor of City Hall – and also my first night seeing Sirsy in what seems like decades since they were a full band the last time I saw them live.  Another first for Adam Ezra from Boston, and my first time seeing Margo Macero on acoustic guitar. The show was a benefit in partnership with RallySound, to support The Ramble Music Festival this August.  The Ramble, along with New England Center and Home for Veterans, provides the resources needed for veteran heroes to transition off the streets and into housing.  Despite the venue becoming extremely hot as the night went on—with open windows offering little relief—the capacity crowd stayed fully engaged and deeply moved by the heartfelt performances drawn straight from personal experiences. This was a very special performance, with artists who normally do not perform together making their originals and covers even more unique and appreciated, amplifying the experience with a sense of community and personal connections.

Margo Macero opened with confidence. A standout moment came when she performed her soulful cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses,” sharing vocals with Adam Ezra and Melanie Krahmer. With the windows open a crack, each powerful vocal drifted outside—where a police officer and their horse stood nearby,  likely appreciating the timeless song as much as those inside.  Another one of Margo’s highlights was a song she wrote for her partner, and just watching her have so much fun during the show.

Sirsy’s Melanie Krahmer brought amazing vocals even while sharing her pain of losing her father to dementia, performing “Stupid Little Heart” as a tribute to him. Their music touched many through Melanie’s deep vocals and Rich’s guitar work. It was nice to see the touching moments of them together while they performed. Melanie also had some very meaningful stories and a song about how proud her mother is and how she went to college and overcame so many hardships – surely motivating other women, plus her mother had to be having a great time in the audience.

Adam Ezra served as a magnetic centerpiece with his warm stage presence and guitar work. He shared funny personal stories about his two young daughters learning to ride bicycles and how he brings them seashells while out of town to show he’s always thinking of them when away from home. He then performed his heartfelt song “Pocket Full of Seashells,” turning those tender family moments into a great new original song – universally relatable and moving.

Throughout the evening, the artists traded songs and occasionally joined in on one another’s performances with genuine chemistry. The balance of raw emotion, humor, and vulnerability kept the audience moved, laughing, singing along, and focused —even as the room grew hotter.

The concert culminated in a beautiful, unplugged finale: all the artists came down from the stage, unplugged and joined the audience in singing the Beatles’ “Let It Be” together, creating a magical, communal moment that perfectly capped the night.

This was more than just a concert—it was a meaningful benefit event, successfully funding housing for ten homeless veterans, adding an extra layer of purpose and impact to an already rewarding evening.

If you love singer-songwriter nights focused on connection and real-life storytelling, this was the gold standard. The combination of Adam Ezra’s thoughtful folk-rock and stories, Sirsy’s fiery vocals and energy, and Margo Macero’s heartfelt perspective created a perfectly balanced bill that transcended the sweltering heat.  Everyone was singing “Let It Be,” knowing this was a very special night, and the four performers had so much fun performing together.

Nights like this remind us why live music matters—especially when it comes with heart, community, and a worthy cause. Here’s hoping these artists share the stage again soon, as they created real magical moments for just about everyone.

Photos by Evan Lauber.

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