The Fillmore greeted with the usual sticky concert floors; the dance floor was packed with a sea of people, already singing and dancing with excitement. London-based singer, songwriter and youtuber Dodie Clark teased her new EP by releasing her song “Human” days before the concert.
By the time I arrived at the Fillmore in San Francisco, the line for general admission already spanned five city blocks, and the crowd of Dodie fans dressed in their yellow and glitter could be seen and heard from half a mile away. Additionally, the fan-run project, “Daisies for Dodie”, had passed out pink, purple and blue cut-out paper daisies, in accordance with the bisexual flag, that were to be held against a cell phone flashlight when Dodie sang the her song “She.” At the entrance, security collected gifts and letters adoring fans brought (I handed in my gift bag and entered the small but intimate venue).
Tessa Violet opened at 8:00 p.m. with her new song “Crush”; donning a yellow jumpsuit and yellow hair, her stage presence was excellent. Fans knew of Tessa Violet and Dodie’s friendship, adding to the personal atmosphere, and Tessa’s quirky confidence complimented the artsy, whimsical tone of the concert.
After intermission, Dodie started her set with the lively ukulele tune “Would You Be So Kind,” from her 2017 EP, “You”. She then moved into sadder, slower songs, like “6/10” and “When,” featuring her fantastic cellist and violinist. She continued to play through her slower songs and saving the upbeat melodies for the end of the show, all while alternating between playing the piano, guitar and ukulele. Her set included all the songs from her two previous EPs, songs that fans had only heard before on her Youtube channel, and a few new songs to be released in January of 2019 in “Human.” The concert ended with a lively performance of “In The Middle,” where she exuberantly played the drums.
Dodie was transparent and down-to-earth all throughout the concert creating a very personal and intimate atmosphere. She shared anecdotes that aligned with the themes of her songs including mental health, insecurities and relationships. Her bravery to be honest and sincere made her audience feel seen and heard. By the end of the concert, rather than a performer, Dodie seems to be a close friend.
