Clairo Charms the Santa Barbra Bowl
- Greg Poblete
- Oct 17, 2024
- 4 min read
It seems like it was just yesterday when Claire Cottrill was posting covers on her YouTube channel, filmed via her MacBook camera, and garnering thousands of views. Now, indie-pop princess Clairo has become somewhat of a household name with her signature delicate singing over intricate, jazz-infused instrumentals.
As she has moved away from her DIY, bedroom-pop aesthetic toward more glossy, ambitious sounds, Clairo’s live show has also evolved, now featuring lush instrumentation and a confident stage presence. On her current tour celebrating the latest album Charm, Clairo and her band shine brightly, bringing new songs to life while reinventing older classics like "4EVER" and "Flaming Hot Cheetos" against an elegant, sparkly backdrop.
The night was nothing short of magical at the Santa Barbara Bowl on Monday, October 7th. Through a soft, glistening fog, Clairo and her band charmed the beach city with a mesmerizing performance. Opening the show was South African singer-songwriter Alice Phoebe Lou, who introduced herself as "the appetizer for the night." Lou’s set was filled with summery, breezy tunes perfect for swaying along to. Similar to Men I Trust or Faye Webster, Lou’s dreamy music with a slight groove captured the hearts of the entire amphitheater.
From an architectural standpoint, the Santa Barbara Bowl is a marvel. Originally built in 1936, the Bowl is nestled into the hills of Santa Barbara, giving the illusion that you're watching a concert from a venue floating in the sky. Once you make it up the steep hill from the parking lot, you’re greeted with a breathtaking view. The venue blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings, with trees stretching to the clouds and walls adorned with stones. Interestingly, there were no screens broadcasting the concert, which added to the intimacy and charm of the Bowl. This absence of screens created a sense of togetherness often lost through the lens of technology, making it the perfect setting for Clairo’s Charm tour.
The crowd at the show was relatively young, as expected for a Clairo concert, and they brought plenty of youthful energy. The outfits were straight out of a Pinterest mood board—long, flowy skirts, floral-printed tops, and Doc Martens galore. The audience was enthusiastic but respectful. While Clairo shows are known for getting a bit rowdy, with fans even barking at Claire upon her request, this Santa Barbara show was more mellow. That is, except for one guy who finessed his way on stage and backflipped about seven times during "Terrapin." It was a unique moment that bordered on an acrobatic performance you’d see at Cirque du Soleil.
As the clock struck 8:15 PM, Wendy Rene’s "After Laughter" played through the speakers as the house lights dimmed. Claire and the band made their way to the stage, huddling together on a step at stage left, sharing what looked like a bottle of orange wine. It was a cute ritual, normally backstage, but this peek behind the curtain added a personal touch.
After the track concluded, the band moved to their respective instruments while Claire, in an elegant lavender-blue dress, softly greeted the crowd with, "Hi, Santa Barbara." They launched into the first track off Charm, "Nomad," a slow-burning reflection on solitude and solace. Live, the song had more bite compared to the recorded version. While the album provides warmth and comfort, especially through over-ear headphones, Clairo’s live band adds an extra spark to these already lovely songs.
The band—comprising Dejon Crockran (bass), Hayley Briasco (guitar), Danae Greenfield (piano, keys), Hailey Niswanger (woodwinds, keys, guitars), and Eddie Burns (drums)—were all masters of their craft, complementing Claire’s vocals perfectly. The bass generated a fuzzy warmth, the guitars and woodwinds shimmered, and the drums packed a punch. Burns, in particular, stood out, his drumming accentuating each song with a groove that elevated the entire performance.
Claire herself was effortlessly charismatic, connecting with the crowd through her playful and cute personality. Despite the large venue, she managed to create an intimate atmosphere. While not a powerhouse vocalist, Claire’s velvety-smooth voice fits her music style perfectly and sounded as sweet as apple pie.
With an hour-and-a-half set, Clairo covered nearly the entirety of Charm, skipping only "Pier 4," while also performing tracks from Sling, Immunity, and her debut project diary 001. The new tracks shone live, with rich instrumentation on heavy hitters like "Add Up My Love" and "Sexy to Someone," while older songs were transformed into lush jams by the band’s new arrangements.
The stage design had a vintage talk-show vibe, with carpeted floors, a sequin backdrop, and a moon-shaped light overhead. Each musician stood in the outer circle of a set that felt like a 1950s-70s living room conversation pit. Though modern in its production, the show had a retro flair, down to the old-school synths and vintage furniture pieces.
The setlist’s closing moments featured fan favorites like "Amoeba" and "Bags," which became huge singalongs. The crowd’s participation highlighted the sincerity and vulnerability of Clairo’s songwriting and the deep connection her fans have to her music. The final song, "Juna," included an attempt by a fan to perform the famous mouth-trumpet solo, though technical difficulties muted their performance. Claire handled it professionally, still giving the fan props for their effort.
There was no encore, a trend I’ve come to appreciate at concerts. Sometimes it’s nice to skip the encore ritual and simply enjoy the full set without interruptions. On a school night, especially, the crowd seemed pleased to head home before 11 PM, having enjoyed a beautiful show.
From the fan doing backflips to hearing heartfelt bedroom-pop anthems in a jazzy context, Clairo’s Charm tour stop at the Santa Barbara Bowl was a spellbinding experience, filling the spirit with joy and wonder. Claire’s stage presence was lovable and comforting, her band was smooth and inventive, and the stage design was among the most glamorous of any touring musician this year.
10/07/24 Setlist:
Nomad
Second Nature
Thank You
Softly
Flaming Hot Cheetos
How
Bambi
Terrapin
Add Up My Love
North
Echo
Glory of the Snow
Slow Dance
Harbor
Partridge
4EVER
Amoeba
Bags
Sexy to Someone
Juna
To see upcoming tour dates, check out Clairo’s website, and be sure to listen to her newest album Charm, available on all streaming platforms.