If you’ve spent any time on TikTok – and exist in, or adjacent to, indietok – you will have heard people talking about Clairo Shade. But what, pray tell, is it?
Well, Clairo Shade is the notion that if you are doing anything other than listening to Clairo’s exquisite new album, ‘Charm’, you are in fact, shading Ms Claire Cottrill.
Throwing a birthday party? Clairo Shade. Other artists releasing music? Clairo Shade. Obama putting out his bi-annual playlist and NOT including Clairo? Very blatant Clairo Shade.
As one recent attendee at a party featuring a Clairo Shade cake explains, “Clairo Shade is an abstract, nebulous concept at this point because everything is Clairo Shade a little bit because if you’re not talking about Clairo, if you’re not listening to Clairo, then what are you doing? You’re shading her. There was a [Clairo Shade] cake made at the party because it was also Clairo’s birthday. So us having a party, detracting attention from her, was a little bit shady towards her. Clairo, I’m so sorry.”
@elsewherespace @frickenmia chatted with the alleged twink that fell through the skylight at the clairo shade party #clairoshade #bushwick #twitter #twink #nyc ♬ original sound – elsewhere
Clairo’s success is not new. She’s been releasing near-perfect indie pop since 2017, but with ‘Charm’, she’s certainly hit a new level of internet fame; the type that spawns this level of memery. ‘Charm’ made number 8 in the Billboard charts upon release making it Cottrill’s first top 10 release. Lead single, ‘Sexy To Someone’ is currently sitting at 49 million Spotify streams. ‘Juna’ follows closely behind at 38 million streams.
But what is it about the record that is captivating Gen Z fans? ‘Charm’ has a distinctly 70s, Laurel Canyon vibe to it which is the antithesis to the big pop sounds dominating the charts at the moment. Cottrill’s soft, understated vocals say so much without being showy and the production is incredibly inventive: think Wurlitsers, organs, groovy drums.
A way to ensure you don’t shade Clairo this autumn? See her live at one of her upcoming tour dates.
Clairo Tour Dates 2024-2025
09/06/24
The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
09/07/24
The Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA
09/08/24
The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
09/10/24
The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
09/11/24
The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
09/14/24
Webster Hall, New York, NY
09/15/24
Webster Hall, New York, NY
09/17/24
Webster Hall, New York, NY
09/18/24
Webster Hall, New York, NY
09/19/24
Webster Hall, New York, NY
09/27/24
The Factory in Deep Ellum, Dallas, TX
09/28/24
White Oak Music Hall, Houston, TX
09/30/24
ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin, TX
10/01/24
ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin, TX
10/03/24
Mesa Amphitheatre, Mesa, AZ
10/04/24
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego, CA
10/06/24
Frost Amphitheater, Stanford, CA
10/07/24
Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA
10/09/24
McMenamins Edgefield, Portland, OR
10/10/24
The Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA
10/11/24
The Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA
10/13/24
The Great Saltair, Magna, UT
10/14/24
Mission Ballroom, Denver, CO
10/16/24
The Salt Shed, Chicago, IL
10/17/24
The Salt Shed, Chicago, IL
10/20/24
KEMBA Live! Outdoor, Columbus, OH
10/21/24
The Anthem, Washington, DC
10/23/24
Massey Hall, Toronto, ON
10/24/24
Massey Hall, Toronto, ON
10/25/24
Massey Hall, Toronto, ON
10/28/24
Roadrunner, Boston, MA
10/29/24
Roadrunner, Boston, MA
10/30/24
Roadrunner, Boston, MA
11/01/24
Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA
11/02/24
Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA
11/04/24
Opry House, Nashville, TN
11/05/24
Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC
11/07/24
Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA
11/08/24
Fox Theatre Atlanta, GA
11/15/24
Corona Capital, Mexico City, MX
03/03/25
Olympia Theatre, Dublin, IE
03/04/25
Olympia Theatre, Dublin, IE
03/07/25
Salle Pleyel, Paris, FR
03/08/25
Salle Pleyel Paris, FR
03/10/25
TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht, NL
03/11/25
TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht, NL
03/13/25
Eventim Apollo London, UK
03/14/25
Eventim Apollo, London, UK
03/16/25
O2 Academy Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
03/17/25
O2 Academy Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
03/19/25
O2 Apollo Manchester, Manchester, UK
03/20/25
O2 Apollo Manchester, Manchester, UK
