REVIEW: SIR CHLOE @ THE SINCLAIR 4/17
Photo by Danielle Krantz
Review by Gwyneth Moe
Last Wednesday night, Sir Chloe took their Savory Tour to Cambridge, MA, playing a sold-out show at the Sinclair. They’re touring in support of their debut album, “I Am The Dog,” released in the spring of last year.
Formed in Vermont in 2017 while Dana Foote was a student at Bennington College, the band comprises Foote, Teddy O’Mara, Palmer Foote, Emma Welch, and Austin Holmes. The group began as a school project. Foote studied music composition and opted to create a concert with only original music instead of writing a thesis. The project later became Sir Chloe.
Many of the songs on their debut EP, Party Favors, were written on Foote’s dorm room floor. Although the EP’s 2020 release hindered the band’s presence in the live show scene, the band soon found their songs rising in popularity on the social media application, “TikTok.”. The platform launched both “Michelle” and “Animal” to virality.
Their first EP was more of a collection of songs than a cohesive project, but their debut album proves they have a vision. “I Am The Dog” takes listeners on a hypnotic journey. Foote’s tone throughout the release is pleading and addictive. The haunting lyrics and imagery in promotional content created a cohesive and delightful release.
Now, at the Sinclair, the line remains outside the venue long after doors have opened. Excitement buzzes as fans finally filter into the venue.
When the clock hits 9:30, Sir Chloe makes its way out to the stage. The band is reminiscent of a cult, wearing white ensembles. Foote appears last. She stands out in a black suit adorned with flowers.
From the first song, Sir Chloe is immediately a compelling performance to take in. Foote takes control of the crowd like a cult leader addressing a congregation. Foote’s live vocals are incredible, placing the audience in a trance. This is the band’s second show at this venue, remarked Foote. The previous show was in May of 2022.
Foote has a unique stage presence. Her character appears when she can set down the guitar and focus purely on vocals. Her presence is commanding yet off-putting. She seems to let the music move her, dancing in an uncoordinated and intentional stumbling state. She throws herself to the ground and, at one point, even crawls. Her actions perfectly translate the pleading quality of their music into movement. During their song “Company,” Foote paces the stage, taking the mic cable into her hand and whipping it like a lasso.
“Hooves,” Sir Chloe’s lead single off their new album, is an earworm. The reverbed guitar on the single is especially vicious, adding an addictive electric energy to the track. And live? It’s even better. The crowd erupts when the opening chords sound. Foote turns to the crowd, “Repeat after me: I don’t wanna hold hands!” Foote holds the mic out towards the energetic crowd, and they shout the words back.
Throughout the night, the band played 17 songs, plus a three-song encore, including an unreleased song called “Forgiving.” They closed with “ Too Close.”
Sir Chloe accomplishes something with their live performances that not all bands can. They nailed the tone of the performance. The image they’ve cultivated is the same on stage and off. If you can catch Sir Chloe live, don’t pass it up.