The night was romantically warm in Mesa, Arizona. Clairo took the stage at the Mesa Amphitheater with the tender, laid-back energy she’s become known for. The amphitheater, filled with fans swaying on the grass with loved ones, felt more like an intimate gathering than a typical concert, as Clairo and her bandmates nestled casually in one corner of the stage, sharing what seemed like an impromptu "cocktail hour." The warmth of her friendships mirrored that of the crowd, as if we were all onlookers witnessing a beautiful exchange between close friends. She raised her glass to the audience with a smile, kicking off the show with Nomad, and the crowd was immediately swept into the moment.

Clairo’s presence on stage was understated yet magnetic. With headphones on at the mic stand, she gave the impression that we were peering into a live recording session, creating a sense of magic in real time. Her ability to blend vulnerability with skillful instrumentation is one of her strongest traits, a blend she demonstrated throughout the night as she switched between guitar, piano, and vocals, often swaying gently, seemingly lost in her own melodies.

Gratitude flowed between Clairo and the audience, with fans lifting flowers to her, which she graciously accepted. That mutual love was palpable, and it found its peak during an unscripted moment when an audience member declared their love for the song Sinking and promised to do a backflip if she performed it. Clairo was intrigued, and after a quick exchange with her band, she agreed to play it. As she strummed the opening chords, the crowd sang every word with such intensity, it was clear the song held deep meaning for many. As Sinking came to a close, the fan kept their word, and in a delightful moment of spontaneity, did a backflip on stage, much to Clairo's amusement. "I love live music," she said, beaming at the beautiful chaos of the night. “More people should do backflips at my shows.” 

One of the night’s captivating moments came with Hot Cheetos, performed under dim lighting and with a fresh new sound that surprised longtime fans. Clairo showcased songs from her latest album, Charmed, alongside fan favorites from her earlier work. North, Add Up My Love, and Harbor were particular highlights, with the latter turning the amphitheater into a sea of lit phones and lighters, creating a moment of collective unity that felt both ethereal and grounded. The mood shifted once again when her saxophonist took center stage for a soulful solo, adding a layer of richness to the night that elevated the whole experience.

Between songs, Clairo shared stories from her day in Mesa, mentioning her delight in finding taffy and buying two books about magic, which added a whimsical touch to the night. The crowd erupted when she dove into hits like 4ever and Amoeba, but it was Bags that truly took Clairo's breath away. During the lyric "Knowing you'd make fun of me," she teased the audience by saying, "What?" prompting them to echo it back even louder. "Oh, I didn't hear that," she teased again, leading to a crescendo of voices that filled the air. The energy was so contagious that Clairo herself let out an exhilarated scream of joy, overwhelmed by the crowd's devotion.

Before diving into Sexy to Someone, Clairo looked out at the audience and smiled, offering a playful compliment, "You look sexy." The song’s introspective lyrics about longing and desire hit harder in the context of such an intimate night. And just when it seemed like the evening might come to a close, she delivered one last gift with Juna, a song that left everyone wanting more and perfectly captured the feeling of wanting to hold onto a fleeting moment. We all, in fact, were left charmed. 

Clairo's artistry shone through not only in her multi-instrumental abilities but also in her unique connection with the audience. From start to finish, it was a night of unscripted magic, and Arizona will undoubtedly hold this show close to their hearts for a long time. Clairo, you made us all want to go dancing, and we did—under the clouded stars of a warm October night.