Review: Arlo Parks Turns History Into a Celebration of Love and Connection
Photo: Jill Sharp
Arlo Parks started her set with “Heaven,” getting on stage with grace and a body full of energy. When the chorus hit, the crowd surged with energy and emotion. Feet were moving, and no matter which direction you turned, each person you made eye contact with was having the time of their life, letting the night take them for a ride.
Arlo Parks is a force to be reckoned with. Her soft vocals, paired with her signature low lighting at shows, created an unbeatable ambience that clearly flowed through everyone in the audience. The very essence of Ambiguous Desire was hitting me in the face. Suddenly, many people seemed to be holding one another close, showcasing that Arlo Parks really is for lovers. Each song performed brought the crowd to a new level of energy.
All attention was on that stage: just Arlo and her two-person band. They needed nothing else on that stage. During “Get Go,” the crowd suddenly sang the words, but not toward the stage. I looked around and saw friends, lovers and family all singing to each other. There was just so much joy.
She ended her set with “2SIDED,” a song that, to me, represents everything that Ambiguous Desire stands for. Always wondering if you are loved the same way you give love. Those feelings resonated intensely with the crowd. As the show came to a close, I looked around and saw people hugging, kissing and loving on one another in a moment of such sweetness. I felt very lucky to be there and experience it with everyone else around me. Arlo Parks is an incredible performer, and she turned History into a complete dance party.
As the haze faded and people trickled out of the venue, I took it all in, watching people grab last-minute merch, finish up their drinks and laugh with friends. The vibes were felt nearly all the way across the city as I rode the subway home. Concertgoers played Ambiguous Desire on the train, shared photos with each other, tried on their new merch, or admired their new vinyl records.
All in all, Arlo Parks put on a fantastic show. Watching people of all walks of life love on each other and share tender experiences in a room full of others doing the same felt so loving. A gentle reminder that there is still love in humanity. We all crave that connection, and Arlo just facilitated it.
Check out all the concert photos from the night below, featuring galleries from Baird, and Arlo Parks.
CONCERT PHOTOS
ARLO PARKS
BAIRD
SETLIST
Heaven
Jetta
Weightless
Blades
Senses
Beams
Black Dog
Super Sad Generation / Cola / Sophie / Second Guessing
Purple Phase
South Seconds
Impurities
Pegasus
Eugene
Caroline
Blue Disco
Floette
Softly
Nightswimming
2SIDED
Encore:
Devotion
Get Go
Words & Photography: Jill Sharp
