Live: CLAIRO // The Fillmore, Minneapolis, MN
Touring in celebration of her sophomore record Sling, Claire Cottrill, better known by the stage name Clairo, treated adoring fans to a beautiful concert last week. She displayed immense artistry and vulnerability, making for a truly exceptional live experience.
The Fillmore’s stage, dressed with warm, lantern lights, slowly came to life as Clairo’s band took to the stage. Claire Cottrill appeared soon after, carefully making her way to the piano at center stage. As she started with Bambi, Cottrill seemed focused and pensive, only occasionally looking up at the crowd to give beaming smiles. The tempo increased with Zinnias, and Clairo swapped her piano for an electric guitar featuring a small sticker of her dog (and album cover model) Joanie.
As the focus shifted toward her 2019 debut album Immunity, I was instantly struck by the difference between this concert and the last time I had seen her live in 2019. Cottrill possesses a maturity and presence that wasn’t there before. She appears more confident and comfortable on stage, and doesn’t seem afraid to be vulnerable. She owns and takes up space, as she should.
For fans of earlier releases, Clairo’s robust live band adds further complexity and depth to each song. I was particularly impressed by the saxophone arrangement during Alewife. There were also moments where Clairo isolated herself, addressing the crowd just her and her piano. In the beginning of Harbor, the band did not join her until the end, building toward a phenomenal release. This gave Cottrill the space to share her music on its most intimate level, and the crowd joined her by holding up phone flashlights.
Opener Arlo Parks supported Clairo onstage for Blouse, a song that has made unfortunate headlines recently. In a fan effort organized by friends Zoe Carver and Ella Stegner, the first few rows held up hand-cut paper hearts at the end of the song. When asked what motivated the gesture, Carver said, “We knew that Claire hadn’t been having the best experiences at previous shows and that crowds weren’t the nicest or the most respectful towards her. We wanted to do something for her that would make her feel safe and comfortable on stage.”
Speaking on Cottrill’s impact on her personally, Carver says, “I’ve been listening to Claire since early 2018, and although it’s a bit cheesy, I feel like I’ve grown up with her. As I’ve matured, so has Claire and her music. Her music has always had a special place in my heart and I turn to it in times of happiness, grief, and literally any time I need an escape.”
Cottrill was moved to tears by the gesture and had to take a moment to collect herself, hands to chest. Through these tears she joked, “This is the best club I’m not a part of.”
As the night came to a close, I was so deeply moved by the experience everyone had shared. Sling is such a cherished and profound body of work, and I’m sure that those in attendance felt honored to enjoy its songs in a live setting.
Photos: Morgan Winston