‘Boston, you must know how special this is for me’: Clairo brings cozy vibes in homecoming show

The Boston Globe | October 29, 2024

“Sexy to somebody, it would help me out … and it’s just a little thing I can’t live without,” Clairo softly sang as a packed audience swayed at Roadrunner, with the lyrics of the Carole King-inspired innocent, yet lustful, single “Sexy to Someone” reflecting on the familiar feeling of wanting to be wanted.

The 26-year-old singer-songwriter, who played her first of three sold-out shows in Boston on Monday, collects intimate, fleeting moments with her music. Her third and most recent record, “Charm,” evokes this idea of gathering heart-fluttering memories like charms on a bracelet — as well as being charmed by someone.

Born Claire Elizabeth Cottrill, Clairo writes bedroom pop with R&B influences. She was raised in Carlisle and started recording songs and posting them on YouTube at 13, going viral in 2017 with the track “Pretty Girl.” Since, Clairo has released three studio albums. She worked with producer Leon Michels on “Charm,” leaning into a ‘70s, soft rock direction and opening herself up to deeper vulnerability.

Clairo’s musical persona is the physical embodiment of coquette: wistful romanticization and a solid helping of anxiety tied with a lace bow. Her music caters to individuals prone to longingly staring out their bedroom windows while fantasizing about their crushes — with many attendees at Monday’s show clad in plaid skirts, oversize dad sweaters, and Dr. Martens shoes.

Onstage under a warm glow, Clairo delivered her signature whispering, dreamy vocals. Her performance felt like being wrapped in a blanket, and not just because of the heat radiating from the sardined crowd. Her romantic, swaying song “Softly” and introspective track “Thank You” were groovier in person, giving her instrumentalists more room to play.

For much of the evening, Clairo stood mostly stationary, lightly moving her hips and side-stepping, remaining stiff until the last few songs when she was visibly more comfortable. The audience didn’t seem to mind — she encompasses the essence of the adorably awkward girl jamming to music playing in her headphones. She just happens to have amassed millions of dedicated fans.

During her emotional ballad “Harbor,” the audience slowly turned on their phone flashlights to create glowing stars trailing across the venue. The song began delicately and solemnly before building to a slow, steady march.

“Keeping me close/ While you hold me out and say/ I don’t love you that way,” Clairo sang as a bittersweet, melancholic haze fell down on the crowd. It was hard not to relish in the sadness contrasted by the glittering lights from the audience.

Clairo performed her popular singles “Bags” and “Juna” at the end of her set, adding that she always gets more nervous to play in Boston since it’s her hometown. She missed the opportunity to play “Alewife” on her first night in the city, but said it was on the setlist for Tuesday.

“Boston, you must know how special this is for me. I’m from here. My sister’s here,” she told the crowd. “Three sold out nights, what the [expletive]?”

“Echo” stole the show with ethereal, otherworldly synths and haunting vocals. The song felt like something Wednesday Addams would sway to if she experienced heartbreak, and hearing it live is really all a girl can hope for to close out October.