Live at Austin City Limits in Austin, Texas on September 30th, 2024
Photos by Nathan Nguyen
Words by Chandler Christopher
Seeing Clairo perform in the iconic setting of Austin City Limits Live felt like witnessing an artist fully in her element. From the moment she stepped on stage, wearing a black-and-white striped dress that was both stylish and understated, the crowd’s energy was palpable. Fans were holding up little paper hearts—a detail that added a personal touch to an already intimate show, though I never did figure out where they came from.
Clairo’s growth as an artist was on full display. She has moved well beyond the lo-fi bedroom pop that first made her famous, now fully embracing a more soulful, jazzy sound. Her new album Charm carries those vibes, and live, they came through in a big way. Her band—a vibrant, eclectic mix of musicians from seemingly all corners of the musical spectrum—brought an energy that made every song feel fresh. The range of instruments was impressive, with synths, horns, and even a clarinet making appearances. One moment, the clarinet was leading the charge in a wild, standout solo, while the next, the piano player was stealing the show with an incredible, frenetic performance.
The set was filled with small, memorable moments. At one point, a light above Clairo started to lower, and for a brief second, it seemed like it might fall, adding a little drama to the already charged atmosphere. The band, despite being tight for most of the night, stumbled near the end of one of the final songs, and it was hard to tell whether they were trying to hide their mistake or just laugh it off. It didn’t detract from the performance, though; it added a layer of charm to an artist whose music often feels just as imperfectly human.
The highlight for me was her performance of “Flaming Hot Cheetos,” the song that first introduced me to Clairo. The sound was incredible, and Clairo’s vocals were beautifully layered over the instrumentation. The band’s ability to switch moods so effortlessly was a testament to their chemistry. A particularly sweet moment came when she sang “Sophia,” and some boys in the crowd started jumping up and down. Clairo’s response? A giggle that was so genuine and cutesy, it had everyone smiling.
Throughout the set, there was this quiet tension between humility and confidence. Clairo’s aura was undeniable, but she also carried a bit of cockiness—just enough to keep things interesting. She acknowledged the crowd’s requests for something new and gave them exactly what they’d been asking for, a decision that felt spontaneous and authentic.
The visuals of the show added to its allure, with moonlit projections creating a dreamlike atmosphere that fit perfectly with her sound. While I wish there had been more of those immersive visuals, what we got was beautiful and enhanced the night in a subtle but meaningful way.
In true Clairo fashion, the show ended without an encore. People started filing out quickly, as if they knew she wouldn’t be coming back for one, but it didn’t feel disappointing. It was just another example of her doing things her way—no need to follow the rules of what a show “should” be.
This was easily one of the best performances I’ve seen in 2024. Clairo and her band brought an emotional range that made every song resonate, and the live arrangements took the music to a new level. Even if Clairo’s emotions were a bit enigmatic at times, the energy from the stage and the connection with the audience made the night feel special.
