On a chilly Tuesday evening, Clairo embarked on the second of three sold-out hometown shows at Boston’s Roadrunner. The singer, born Claire Elizabeth Cottrill, is a Boston native who got her start crafting lo-fi indie pop music in her bedroom before her viral hit “Pretty Girl” catapulted her to international attention. Her three-night Roadrunner residency is a part of the Charm Tour in support of Clairo’s new studio album of the same name, which boasts ethereal vocals, vulnerable lyrics, and lush soundscapes. Debuting at number 8 on the Billboard 200, Charm quickly became a fan favorite. Singer-songwriter Alice Phoebe Lou joined as support for the tour, her vivid songwriting making her a natural fit to share a bill with Clairo. Together, this duo charmed audiences across North America, and especially Boston.
Clairo strategically opted for more intimate venues, with Roadrunner holding 3,500 fans each night. This venue was the perfect setting for her to serenade the audience as if she were whispering a secret in your ear. Hundreds of fans lined up in hopes of securing the best spot in the house. At doors, the merchandise line wound up the stairs and around the venue. Designs included cutesy doodles like line art cats, swans, baby knights and dragons, and fairies, an integral part of Charm’s soft aesthetic.
At 8:00 pm, Alice Phoebe Lou stepped out on stage and immediately commanded the room. She wore a muddy green maxi dress with a delicate floral pattern, striped socks, and casual sneakers. She dove into her hypnotizing set, displaying her vocal range on songs like “Lover // Over the Moon,” which boasts sultry jazz elements, and “Dirty Mouth,” which had a rock edge. She paused between songs to chat with the audience, complimenting how Boston was the “best place” for fall. Her vocals floated around the venue and left fans craving more. She ended her set with the self-confident “Witches,” a track about owning your power, before tossing the setlist into the crowd, blowing a kiss, and escaping backstage.
Fans erupted with cheers when the light dimmed again. “After Laughter” by Wendy Rene buzzed in the speakers as Clairo and her band skipped out on stage and sat on the ground in a circle. Like interactive theater, they acted as if they were sharing stories at a house party, with her bassist, Dejon Crockran, pouring drinks into their crystal glassware. The theatrics of the opening show immediately cultivated that intimate connection, inviting the audience to join in on the fun. Soon, the gentle upright bass began to ting as the opening notes of “Nomad” played. Clairo strutted over to the mic in a draped periwinkle blue dress with fabric fringe, knee-high brown boots, and a silver statement necklace. She dove into the track, singing softly and swaying to the beat.
“You guys are fun; I like you,” Clairo exclaimed, letting her favoritism for Boston escape. The production setup was a sight to behold, with long peach-colored fringe curtains and mirror tiles hung from the ceiling and a green crushed velvet chair in the center of the floor making the stage seem like a chic 70s apartment. Clairo played songs from each of her projects, with their arrangements cohesively melded to Charm’s stripped back instrumentals and cozy vocals. Band member Hailey Niswanger performed live on the flute and saxophone while Clairo twirled around the stage, contributing to the ethereality of the evening.
To Clairo’s surprise, fans screamed especially loud when the twangy piano riff in “Glory of the Snow” began to play. She smiled and noted, “You know the deep cuts, huh!” before delivering her signature dreamy vocals. A giant sun-shaped spotlight hung above Clairo, flashing to the bassline and moving up and down depending on the desired drama of the song. Towards the end of the setlist, Clairo added the track “Alewife,” named after the MBTA redline stop. Deemed a “sad song” by Clairo, the audience appreciated its depth and meaning. Right after, she said it was “time to dance” and played an electric performance of “Amoeba.”
The crowd hung on every word Clairo uttered and every lyric she sang. With only two songs left in the night, she said, “Damn Boston, I feel very loved right now. Thank you, it means more than you know,” before embarking on the standout track from the Charm, “Sexy To Someone.” She playfully changed the lyrics in that song to “No, I can’t live without you, Boston,” before asking everyone to sing along to the final track. Clairo wrapped up the night in a pretty bow by playing the hypnotizing track, “Juna,” last. The song had its moment on TikTok this spring, with fans especially loving the flirtatious lyrics and playful mouth trumpet. She invited the audience to play the mouth trumpet with her, complimenting their effort with a “That’s good!” She shared her genuine gratitude for the crowd before dipping backstage to prepare for night three.
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Check out all of Samantha’s photos from the show below.
