From one of her songs, Clairo says, “Thank you for the time.” Certainly, Clairo’s Charm tour is worth yours.
Clairo, a.k.a. Claire Cotrill, became known as a bedroom-pop artist with indie, cuffed-jeans wearing teen cult-classics like, “Pretty Girl.” Claire’s first album, Immunity, within the indie-pop realm, swooned everyone with hit songs like, “Bags,” and “Sofia.” Next up, the 2021 album Sling, produced by Jack Antanoff, was one step to a more mature sound, with layering of instruments, and exploration of adulthood.
After listening to Charm nonstop since it dropped, seeing it live was quite necessary for me. While everyone was having a BRAT summer, many seeking a thought-daughter summer
were embodying Charm energy. Impatiently awaiting fall, Charm is the perfect transition from warm summer nights to sweater-wearing, headphones in class fall (I won’t tell your teacher about your airpods if you don’t tell mine).
This album was the perfect next step in Claire’s discography, which steps into femininity, yearning, romantic relationships, and a playful era.
“I got Charmed at the Clairo tour,” printed across one of many adorable pieces of merchandise, is how I would describe the enchanting Night 5 of Clairo’s LA residency at the Fonda Theater.
The ambient environment of the venue matched Clairo’s mellow, jazzy vibe perfectly. Unpredictable choice for an opener, rap duo Paris Texas. They brought the energy, hyping up the crowd that primarily doesn’t get down to rap.
Just after the clock hit 9 p.m., Wendy Rene’s, “After Laughter (Comes Tears),” played while the band, followed by Clairo, took the stage. Claire poured a glass of wine for each band member. After cheersing amongst one another, creating a friendly and intimate vibe, the opening song “Nomad” kicked off the show.
The setlist comprised songs off Clairo’s new album Charm, mixed with previously released songs, and it did not disappoint. The crowd was enthralled in each song and the stage presence of Claire and the band.
Being a die-hard Clairo fan, her music has influenced me for years and years, through thick and thin; we’ve both grown up with each album. An ode to my middle school self, a new arrangement of the beloved, “Flaming Hot Cheetos.” Transporting the audience back to the 2017-2019 era with the viral song. The crowd screamed every word, “I wanna be the one you think about at night!”
Claire’s outfits certainly did not fail throughout her LA and NYC residencies. Claire had a variation in dresses, heels, boots, and accessories, styled by Harper Slate, who pulled inspo from 90’s Chanel and famous supermodel, Kate Moss.
On Night 5, Clairo wore a chic white dress, with puffed shoulders and flowers imprinted on the skirt of the dress. Perfecting the simple, yet elegant outfit, dainty white heels and her classic over the ear headphones.
Wrapping up the show with, “Juna,” an upbeat and catchy melody, “(you make me wanna)go dancing.” The crowd celebrated and cheered along with the song as Clairo said goodbye and thanked the audience while she and the band exited the stage.
The fans, walking out the door with their bags, in their pinterest-esque outfits, ecstatic over the night yet sad that it’s over. This concert was the perfect show; it felt authentic to Clairo and her music while simultaneously stepping into a new exciting era of her career with Charm.
