A Charming Evening with Clairo

shot by Shauna Hilfertyreview by Shauna Hilferty

Nov 12

Shot and written by Shauna Hilferty

November 2 2024

Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall

Clairo and her band enter from stage left, casually conversing with one another. Carrying a tray of liquor and glasses, Clairo (Claire Cottrill) is the last to take her seat on the stage floor as her band settles onto the platforms. The set – reminiscent of a 1970s recording studio – bathes in warm light, with a beige curtain full of cutouts in the back. It takes the crew a solid six hours to assemble, but the product is well worth the payoff. The liquor flows as the band raises a toast to each other, and Clairo raises one to the audience. The crowd lifts their drinks to her, plastic cups filled with ice water and vodka-cranberries.

Charm is Clairo’s third studio album, and it’s the jazziest and funkiest of any of her projects so far. One of Charm’s lead singles, “Nomad,” kicks off the night. The audience settles into the small square footage of Philadelphia’s Franklin Music Hall as she sings, “You’d come visit me late at night” to her fans, a sentiment that feels especially fitting on this Saturday evening.

Swaying to more new tracks, “Second Nature” and “Thank You” follow. Keyboardist Danae Greenfield shines during these songs, particularly showcasing her talent in “Thank You.” Clairo’s albums have always been intricate, but Charm introduces new elements and instruments with each listen. This tour benefits greatly from the inclusion of a full band. By allowing each member’s talents to be put on full (and well-deserved) display through chord progressions, solos, and scales, the album truly comes to life.

Earlier discography songs like “North” and “4EVER” are remade to fit the aesthetic of Charm and sound seamless in the process. Surprisingly, only three songs from Sling, Clairo’s 2022 album, make the setlist, one of which is “Bambi,” a crowd favorite. As she dances around onstage, Clairo wears a purple bias-cut dress from Piatori, styled by Harper Slate. The dress was first seen styled with a brown belt for her New York residency at Webster Hall; however, this time around, the belt is missing, and the brown boots stay. The only accessory of the night is a white electric guitar.

Charming is the perfect word to describe the feel of the show. The night flows like warm whiskey. Girls in long white skirts and denim jackets sling their arms around one another and become better friends than when they arrived. What a privilege it is to see an album as beautifully complex as Charm live.