Arlo Parks: your favourite artist’s favourite artist. Whether you are a long-standing fan or have never heard of her, there is something for everyone. Following the release of her third studio album, Ambiguous Desire, Parks brought her Desire tour to Bristol’s Prospect Building, with anticipation building ahead of the show. Known for her soft, melodic vocals, expectations of a relaxed, intimate evening were high. However, what unfolded was far more energetic than I had anticipated, exceeding my expectations entirely.
Accompanied by her two-piece band, musical director Sam, and support artist Baird, Parks took to the stage following a three-minute introduction that built anticipation for the artist everyone had come to see. Heaven filled the room, gently introducing one of her newer songs and setting the tone for the evening. Its sound enveloped the audience in a dark, moody atmosphere, drawing us into Parks’ world from the outset.
Undeniably, Parks brought the energy. With her feet rarely still and her signature red hair, as seen on the cover of her latest album, she commanded the stage with an effortless presence. Her performance was a captivating blend of neo-soul and contemporary R&B, threaded with an electronic undercurrent. Throughout the evening, she moved seamlessly between these sounds, creating a set that felt both familiar and refreshingly unexpected. Speaking directly to the crowd, she warmly invited us along for what she described as “a journey through the discography.”
Layering her buttery, dreamy vocals over playful, danceable electronic beats, Parks created an infectious energy that carried throughout the venue. Yet, just as the room reached its highs, she stripped everything back for Black Dog, leaving Parks and the keyboard illuminated by a single spotlight. It was a striking moment of simplicity amid the evening’s livelier arrangements. The lighting throughout the performance played an equally important role, shifting from warm orange beams to electric-blue strobes that pulsed in time with the music, enhancing the mood of each song.
Taking us back to the classics, Eugene and Caroline sparked an eruption of voices from the crowd. Hearing these songs live transported me straight back to 2021, when they first arrived with her debut album, Collapsed in Sunbeams. There was something special about sharing these familiar tracks with a room full of people who knew every word, turning individual memories into a collective experience.
Standing among fellow fans, I found myself completely enthralled by her presence on stage. There was something magnetic about the way she held the room; everything around me seemed to dissolve, leaving only the music and the feeling of being part of something shared. For a moment, I felt as though I could have been up there on stage with her.
Arlo Parks continues her European and UK Desire tour, and if you’re lucky enough to experience her live, you’ll leave with a sense of joy and the feeling of having been nourished by good music. More than simply revisiting familiar favourites or introducing us to new material, Parks created an evening that felt intimate, immersive and full of life.
Words by Ava Venter
