Indie pop sensation Claud captivated their audience at Ann Arbor’s The Blind Pig on Sept. 20. Both the opener, Lutalo, and Claud themselves provided attendees with performances that had the perfect blend of intimacy and danceability.
A testament to the connection between Claud and their fans, many were lined down the length of the street hours before the venue’s doors opened to ensure a spot close to the stage. Those in attendance had a very personal relationship with Claud’s music, including Madeline Merritt who stated, “I just love Claud’s music. It just makes me feel really happy and safe.” Through words like these, Claud’s impact on their community is clear.
Lutalo opened the show with a personal set: It was just him, his guitar and the audience. He showcased many songs from his most recent album, AGAIN, and concertgoers, even those unfamiliar with his music, were hooked from the start. Sometimes, all you need is a spotlight, a voice and a heartfelt story.
Despite the smaller stature of The Blind Pig, Claud and their band were welcomed onto the stage by a roaring audience that one could have easily thought belonged to a much larger venue. This energy did not waver throughout the entirety of Claud’s set.
The “Claudience,” as Claud referred to them, proved their love for the artist during songs like “A Good Thing” and “Paul Rudd.” These two songs have an interesting correlation: Paul Rudd. While one song may be titled “Paul Rudd,” you can actually see Paul Rudd featured in the “A Good Thing” music video. This was a cameo that many Claud fans loved to see, especially Hadley Hofmann. Hofmann went as far as to say, “It was really entertaining to see that Paul Rudd starred in the music video. It’s my favorite part.”
Overall, this concert was proof of the close-knit community that Claud has created with their music. I had the opportunity to speak with Faith Richardson, who said that one thing that stood out to them when they first started listening was “Authentic queer representation. Their music wasn’t about being queer; it was just about them being them.” This quote resonates throughout the Claud community and is one that was represented well by the end of their set.
This was a concert that undoubtedly proved music’s ability to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. As Claud continues their tour, it is clear that they will continue to carry that very message and atmosphere with them.
