@colekincart

Under the enchanting glow of a full moon, the Salt Shed shimmered with excitement, ready to host two sold-out nights of Clairo’s Charm Tour. I kicked off my evening with a Divvy ride from Bridgeport to the venue, something I had always wanted to do. As I pedaled through the crisp 65-degree fall air—an unexpected gift for the season—I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation building. It was during my 6.5-mile, 30-minute ride along Halsted (yes, it was on an e-bike) that I first noticed the full moon rising overhead. As I took in the moon’s bright glow, little did I know that the magic of the night was just starting to kick in.

As the houselights went down and audience grew quiet, Alice greeted us with her  2020 track “Touch,” a song that perfectly set the tone for the evening. With its dreamy instrumentals and intimate lyrics–a staple of Alice Phobe Lou- it felt like the perfect way to draw everyone into the moment.

Shortly after, she dove into one of my favorite tracks, “Open My Door.” This intimate and confessional song showcases her signature warmth, especially with the lush keys softly floating in the background. There’s something in her voice that really evokes the warmth of the 60s, almost like if Margo Guryan had emerged from the same bedroom pop scene that Clairo and so many others have come to define. The borrowing of sounds feels intentional and inspirational, something I think a lot of indie, jangle, and bedroom pop artists often miss. It’s the kind of sound that wraps around you, draws you in closer, invites you to share in her world.

As the pace slowed, we settled into her performance, allowing her warm voice to wash over us. It was during this point I began to draw comparisons between of the artistry of artists like Haley Hendrickx, Angel Olsen, and Jessica Pratt—delicate yet powerful. The instrumentation, light and airy, seamlessly transitioned into a jangly pop sound without losing focus on her rich vocals. Her voice is potent, an balm that you wish you could hear every day.

A fitting highlight was her performance of “Lover // Over the Moon.” Piror to the performance, Lou remarked, “A lot of my songs mention the moon. I don’t know if you know, but it’s a big ol’ moon tonight.” This track was undoubtedly became my favorite of the night. The lofi-esque vocals echoed something familiar, reminiscent of a song I once knew but couldn’t quite place. As someone who is a closeted pro-yearner, the line “just you and I, lovers by night” resonates on a deeper level, capturing that bittersweet longing we all feel at times. After the performance, I knew I had to add this track to my “bone hurting juice” playlist

Alice ended the night with “Witches,” a fan favorite that encapsulates everything I love about her music. It weaves together all the best elements of her sound while leaning into brighter and poppier textures, creating a once again nostalgic yet fresh experience.

In the end, Alice Phoebe Lou’s performance was a beautiful reminder of how music can glisten, especially under the light of a full moon.