Joshua Sarfert
Social Media Coordinator

While many stayed home anxiously watching the election results on their TV, I journeyed to Charlotte to attend the Clairo: Charm Tour. After braving the metropolitan traffic, I made my way to Ovens Auditorium, the city of Charlotte’s largest performing arts center. In the past, the venue hosted iconic performances such as WICKED and the Beach Boys; tonight, 2,400 people will be charmed.

The lights dim, and out walks South African singer and songwriter Alice Phoebe Lou, who has joined the tour as the opening act. Taking the audience through her assortment of celestial indie rock songs, her slow beats and wordy lyrics make for the perfect introduction for the night ahead. The artist’s more popular songs, such as ‘Witches’ and ‘Open My Door,’ had the crowd dancing in their seats, eagerly anticipating her next melody. Lou’s ethereal presence on stage, combined with her enchanting voice, left the audience energized and ready for the main act. 

On a stage filled with various living room items to create a cozy and familiar set, Clairo and her band walked out. The first few minutes of the performance included her band sitting in a circle together, chatting and laughing. Once the intro instrumental song was done, Clairo launched into her opening song, “Nomad,” the first track from her new album “Charm.” Clairo’s relaxed and intimate approach immediately connected the audience, drawing us all into the personal world she had created on stage.  

As Clairo moved seamlessly through the following songs, each song seemed better than the previous. Playing a range of old tracks to her newest collection of songs, Clairo showcased her musical growth and versatility. Her early songs, filled with youthful energy, were juxtaposed beautifully with the more mature and polished tracks from the “Charm” album.

One of my highlights of the night was when she performed the popular song, “Bags.” The crowd sang the lyrics to her at a high volume, while jumping and dancing, filling Oven’s Theater with joyful energy. Contrasting the recorded song’s indie rock feel, the band’s rendition of the track was jazzy, including the trombone and trumpet. The unexpected arrangement added a fresh and vibrant twist to the classic tune, showcasing Clairo’s ability to transform something well-loved into an entirely new experience. 

Even though this was one of the tour’s final dates, if you ever have the opportunity to attend a Clairo concert in the future, I couldn’t recommend it enough. Whether you know every lyric or just the choruses of the popular songs, Clairo and her band are guaranteed to leave you mesmerized and thoroughly charmed by their captivating performance.