Alice Phoebe Lou and Clairo ‘Charm’ Chicago at the Salt Shed

The magic of the full moon was brought indoors with Alice Phoebe Lou as she opened Clairo’s “Charm” tour Oct. 17 — the second night of two sold out Chicago shows at The Salt Shed.

Beginning the night with an air of whimsy, Lou swayed on stage for her opening track “Touch.” Lou’s ethereal voice floated above light drums for “Open My Door” as she danced on stage in a waltz with an invisible partner.

Lou confessed to the crowd she was feeling tired, but “Glow” elevated the momentum for both Lou and the audience. The electric guitar and funky synth inspired movement both on stage and off.

Minimal instrumentation in “Lover / / Over the Moon” showcased Lou’s uniquely raw voice as she added small vocal flips and vibrato to longer notes. As the title suggests, the moon served as Lou’s muse for the track. 

“A lot of my songs mention the moon,” Lou said. “I don’t know if you know but it’s a big ‘ol moon tonight.”

As her band played the opening chords of “Underworld,” Lou smiled as she jumped in a circle before starting the lyrics. The catchy beat segued into the equally upbeat track “Dirty Mouth.” Descending into wailing lyrics, the crowd danced along with the singer.

“Take care of yourself, be good to my girl and see you later,” Lou said before beginning her final song, “Witches.” 

With Lou’s exit, crew members removed a black curtain, revealing a silky-brown, sequin-streaked backdrop and living room setup complete with a ‘70s style conversation pit.

A rolling bar cart appeared on stage as Clairo and her band entered. Ignoring the crowd, the group sat on the corner of the faux conversation pit and poured a pre-mixed drink as Wendy Rene’s “After Laughter (Comes Tears)” played.

Acknowledging the crowd for the first time, the group raised their glasses to the audience, as distorted synth sounds opened “Nomad.” Eerie synth captured the crowd’s attention, as their familiarity with the song became clear and they shouted the words.

“But I’d rather be alone than a stranger / You’d come visit me late at night / I’d rather wake up alone than be reminded / Of how it was a dream this time,” Clairo sang.

“Second Nature” and “Thank You” showcased the ‘70s palette Clairo developed on “Charm.” Complete with chimes, a mellophone and a clarinet, the tracks exuded a tangible warmth.

Paying tribute to some of her older work, Clairo played “Softly” and “Flaming Hot Cheetos.” The recognizable bedroom-pop sound inspired dancing in the crowd. Clairo traded airy vocals for heavy synths and low-fi beats on each track.

Despite the already energized crowd, Clairo repeatedly shouted, “Come on, Chicago,” to build intensity.

Foregoing the liveliness she’d just built, Clairo moved into the slower track “Bambi.” Standing still, her syrupy vocals described the difficulties of the music industry. 

“Take it or leave it / The moments here / And you should believe it,” she sang.

Returning to her latest album “Charm,” Clairo asked if fans were familiar with the record. The screaming crowd was the only response she needed as she began “Terrapin.”

The subdued track featured a jazz sound with jumping keys. The song’s low-key nature didn’t require dancing — but Clairo did regardless.

“A little two-step won’t kill you,” the singer said.

Haunting synth keys in “Echo” abruptly transitioned the set to slower tracks. Paired with acoustic guitar and hushed vocals, the song sounded like a message from outer space.

As if in a daze, the crowd silently swayed to “Glory of the Snow” as Clairo hummed the melody. The piano-heavy “Slow Dance” maintained the relaxed feel with soft vocals and minimal drums. 

A forest with a full moon projected onto the stage as Clairo told the crowd she wanted to sing something special for them. Enveloped with golden light, she covered David Byrne’s “Everyone’s in Love with You.” 

The forest projection was replaced by star clusters for a rendition of  “4EVER” — a song from her debut EP “Diary 001” — the electronic sound was mellowed to mirror the energy of the “Charm” setlist.

“This song is probably my favorite song of the whole setlist,” she said while introducing “Amoeba.” “Chicago, you have to dance. I love you, let’s dance.”

The track began a four-song closing, re-energizing the crowd as they jumped and danced along.

“That’s the Chicago I know,” Clairo said. “I know you’ve all been waiting for this next one.” 

The first chord of “Bags” elicited instantaneous cheers. Originally released in 2019, the electric guitar distinguished the specific rendition, one recorded at Electric Lady Studios in 2023.

Ending the night with “Sexy to Someone” and “Juna,” Clairo’s music was flirtatious and lively as the crowd jumped to her love songs.