Review: FLO @ House of Blues 4/28

Photo Credit: Tom Emmerson

Review by Catherine Trabazo

If FLO’s Boston stop on tour teaches us anything, it’s that the era of the girl group is not only alive, it’s thriving in three-part harmony. At House of Blues, FLO emerged, their silhouettes framed behind red velvet curtains. The unmistakable voice of Cynthia Erivo, taken from the album’s intro, echoed across the venue. Regal and commanding, she introduced the trio as the rightful heirs to the girl group throne, following in the footsteps of Destiny’s Child, Sugababes, and SWV. The baton was being passed, and FLO was ready to run with it.

Decked in coordinating outfits, Jorja, Stella, and Renée took the stage like women on a mission. Over the course of an hour, they did more than perform, they proved their place among pop and R&B’s most promising stars. This wasn’t a concert, but a coronation. 

Stella and Renée met at school in London, bonding over their shared love of music before later connecting with Jorja through social media. That connection flows through every harmony they deliver. Where Jorja and Stella soar with jaw-dropping high notes, Renée roots the group with a velvety alto. Their chemistry and on-stage synchronicity is something most pop acts can only dream of.

After refining their sound for years, FLO burst into the spotlight with 2022’s “Cardboard Box,” a cheeky breakup anthem that instantly became a fan favorite, capturing a collective hunger for the return of the girl group era. But as this performance made clear, FLO isn’t just a throwback, they’re an evolution. While rooted in girl group tradition, their track themes speak directly to now with lyrics about agency, disappointment, and moving on with your head held high.

Opening with “Access All Areas,” the title track from their debut album, they immediately had the audience reeled in. “I see a sea of red and I love that for us!” Renée beamed, declaring Boston the loudest stop on their tour so far, noticeable even after one song. Singing beautifully while executing full choreography, FLO made it look effortless.

They lit up the room, quite literally, with house lights rising for crowd banter between songs. “Boston, are you gonna dance with us tonight? Are you gonna sing with us tonight?” they teased.  During “Check,” the entire room chanted along with the list of red and green flags, “Is he faithful? Check. Good in bed? Check.” Over 808s, the song walked the line between flirtation and high standards.

FLO moved easily from sweet serenades to scorned declarations. On “Bending My Rules,” an ode to dependable love, the group raised a glass with the crowd. “Cheers, Boston. That was really cute,” Renée exclaimed after the song concluded. Moments later, Jorja teased, “Yes, it’s very cute to sing about bending my rules and blah blah blah, but let’s sing about catching that man up,” before the empowering “Caught Up.” “If you’re out here on these streets, at least be honest with me,” the group sang, closing with a middle finger to the air as the lights dimmed and the crowd cheered.

FLO’s powerhouse anthems were often introduced with a commanding call, “I need the biggest scream to tell me, how does it feel?” The trio lay poised on the stairs, bathed in LED backlight, before launching into the electrifying chorus of “How Does It Feel?” chanting and jumping along with the crowd. While their recordings impress, it’s in a live setting that FLO reaches a breathtaking level.

FLO didn’t let the energy dip once. Mid-set, Jorja said “Let’s do a vibe check!” starting a chant “He ain’t gonna get it till I’m gone.” The audience, mostly young women, roared back with conviction “He ain’t gonna get it!”  The crowd was engaged all night.

The emotional peak of the night came during “Losing You.” Fans lit up the venue with cell phone flashlights and wind machines gave the group a near-angelic presence. But FLO snapped back into their empowerment mode with “In My Bag,” the crowd shouting back every word. As they sang “My body, mind, and soul connected, what I got is manifested,” the confidence was palpable. These weren’t just lyrics, they were affirmations.

From there, the set dipped into their viral debut, “Cardboard Box.” The crowd shouted every word with precision, as if cleansing themselves of every ex who ever did them wrong.

For the finale, the trio returned with “I’m Just a Girl,” turning the stage into a full-blown rally. With a crowd made up largely of women, it felt cathartic. Then, silhouettes behind that red curtain once more, they disappeared.

FLO’s set was more than just entertainment. With stunning vocals, clever lyrics, and an undeniable presence, they didn’t just grant us all access. They demanded our attention and earned it, track by track.

What sets FLO apart isn’t just talent, it’s their sense of purpose. They aren’t trying to replicate girl groups of the past, they’re channeling them, studying their lessons, and building something new. Beneath the tight harmonies is an unshakable confidence that says “we’ve been studying, now it’s our turn.”