Clairo at Roadrunner in Boston, October 28, 2024

Concert Reviews

The Massachusetts native delivered an enticing zen set on Monday night.

Clairo with Alice Phoebe Lou at Roadunner, October 28, 2024

It seems like performing in Boston is “Second nature” For Massachusetts indie pop singer Clairo.

“You should know how special this is to me. I’m from here,” the singer said during her performance at Roadrunner on Monday night to loud applause.

Clairo, whose real name is Claire Cottrill, opened three sold-out nights in Boston on Monday with a soft but energetic set that had the crowd swaying, jumping and dancing.

“Boston, this means a lot to me, thank you for coming,” Clairo said. “Three sold-out nights, what a (expletive)!”

The Charm Tour presents her third studio album “Charm“, released this summer. While the album contained much of the softness and contemplative lyrics expected from the singer, Charm saw her reach new heights by experimenting with new sounds and elements in her music. It marked a departure from the synth-filled first album, Immunity, and instead delved into the folk roots of her second album, Sling.

Known as “bedroom pop,” Clairo’s soft music invites the listener into any space she finds herself in.

This concert was no exception. The Roadrunner stage looked like it had been converted into a ’70s-style recording studio/talk pit, with the band standing on a carpeted raised platform while Clairo sang in the middle of the pit, occasionally spinning around a green velvet chair. A glittering golden tapestry hung behind everyone, reflecting a giant soft circular light that illuminated the singer for most of her performance.

The band members moved around the set, selecting different instruments to suit what the song required. One of the band members in particular played the saxophone during some of the songs, which received thunderous applause from the audience.

Much of Clairo’s slow, contemplative music isn’t necessarily suitable for a concert. A Clairo listener might prefer to lie in bed or take a nice autumn walk. Still, Clairo managed to perform an incredibly special 90-minute set that gave attendees a taste of the fun the singer and her band had on stage.

“It’s a lot of fun playing for Boston.”

The Carlisle-raised singer gave Boston shoutouts numerous times throughout the show, further emphasizing how much the three sold-out nights meant to her.

“It’s a lot of fun playing for Boston,” Claire said before performing her final two songs of the night. “I went to high school, high school here. This is really interesting for me.”

As soon as the singer performed a few songs, she stopped for a moment when concertgoers alerted security that someone in the pit needed medical attention. Once the visitor was taken care of, Claire diffused the tension in the room by recounting her visit to the Franklin Park Zoo earlier that day. She told the crowd that her favorite animal is damanand her sister gave her some hyrax-themed merchandise.

During a brief pause while security tended to a visitor, someone shouted, “I think we could do it if we tried,” lyrics from “Sofia,” one of Clairo’s best-known songs.

“And you know what? We probably could,” Clairo replied.

The singer hinted that he could potentially perform the favorite song, but said: “It won’t be tonight.”

Another moment came at the end of the show when the singer performed “Harbor” from her second album “Sling.” During the emotional song, the audience slowly turned on the flashlights on their phones and united to illuminate themselves and the singer on stage.

Before she launched into the final four songs, she had just one question for the crowd.

“Boston, may I ask you to the dance?”

Clairo closed out the set with some of her hottest songs in a row: “Amoeba,” “Bags,” and then two songs from “Charm,” “Sexy to Something” and the hit “Charm.”Juna“

The audience was definitely dancing, throwing their arms up and jumping up and down.

“Sexy for someone, that would help me / Oh, I need a reason to leave the house,” Clairo sang towards the end of the evening.

Boston seems to have given her a reason.

Setlist for Clairo on Roadrunner, October 28, 2024

• nomad
• Second nature
• Thank you
• Soft
• Flaming Hot Cheetos
• How
• Bambi
• Turtle
• Add my love
• North
• Echo
• Glory of Snow
• Slow dance
• Harbor
• Partridge
• 4EVER
• Amoeba
• Bags
• Sexy for someone
• Juna