Aimee Mann performs at the Buskirk

Before Aimee Mann took the stage Tuesday night to a full house of Bloomington locals, executive director of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Danielle McClelland stepped in front of the crowd.

“I know for many of you, this might as well be your living room,” she said of the local musical hotspot, and audience members exchanged laughter and knowing glances.

McClelland described the Buskirk-Chumley as a community where Bloomington residents could reconnect and enjoy themselves, and tonight was no exception.

When McClelland first got the job, she said she was asked who she would ideally want to bring to the theater. Aimee Mann was in her top 10 picks.

The audience stirred excitedly and called out when they heard the anticipated
performer’s name.

Mann is a rock singer-songwriter who has been performing since the 1980s. Her latest album, “Charmer,” is her eighth full-length album and was released in September 2012.

The record contains a set list of songs that are narratives — “character sketches” — of people who have “conned, enabled, victimized, or (yes) charmed you,” according to her website.

Mann came to Bloomington with fellow musician and band mate Ted Leo.

Both East Coast natives, Leo is a Hoosier at heart, born in Indiana and “born ready to play Bloomington,” Mann said.

He opened for her with several of his new songs and charmed the audience with interactions, his humor and his self-described way of “rocking gently.”

At the end of his set, he mentioned that he was going to bring someone on stage with him for backup guitar and vocals.

The audience undoubtedly expected someone they had never seen before, until Leo spoke again.

“So before we introduce Aimee Mann,” he said, and paused. “Here’s Aimee Mann.”

The audience roared with applause as the six-foot-tall blonde approached the microphone, humbly waving to her fans.

The banter between Leo and Mann really did create a living room atmosphere, and with members of the audience unafraid to chime in with their thoughts, the chatter between songs felt more like a discussion than waiting for a performance to continue.

“I’m sorry, are you wearing your own shirt?” Leo said, poking fun at her when she came out in black Converse, a leather jacket, and her own band shirt.

She brushed off his comment with some friendly banter, and they proceeded to play three songs from their latest collaborative project, “The Both.”

When Mann approached the stage for the second time, she had had a change of heart in regards to her outfit.

“Probably the first time I’ve worn a dress since 1980,” she said of the black frock, laughing. “My friends talked me into it. It’s really uncomfortable.”

Mann played three songs from “Charmer” and brought back songs from previous records that were clearly audience favorites, like “You Could Make a Killing” from her 1995 album “I’m With Stupid.”

She was joined by two band mates, including Paul Bryan, who produces music for her.

The trio took an improv break about halfway through the show, alternating between short piano and guitar melodies. The chords were somber and mysterious, and Mann mentioned quickly that it created a “pre-Halloween” atmosphere.

She followed by playing an appropriately-titled song, “Ghost World.”

Mann wasn’t as much of a talker between songs when she wasn’t joined by Leo, but he rejoined her during the second half of her set.

He slipped onstage quietly and took his place next to her, guitar in hand and ready to play.

“So, what’s up with you?” he asked Mann casually, looking over at her before they continued their set.

“You know, playing some songs,” she said. She smiled. “Rocking people gently.”

Follow reporter Anicka Slachta on Twitter @ajslachta.