Concert Reviews
The night might not have been about spectacle, but Hawke’s performance emphasized something greater: connection.
Maya Hawke (center) performs with violinist Odessa Jorgensen (left) and her new husband Christian Lee Hutson (right) on the guitar at Somerville’s Crystal Ballroom May 1. Samantha Genzer/Boston.com
Known for her quick-talking charm in “Stranger Things,” Maya Hawke traded sarcasm for sincerity Friday night, delivering an intimate set at Somerville’s Crystal Ballroom.
In a sold-out show, “The Evening with Maya Hawke” featured the singer-songwriter and actress seated on stage alongside producer and new husband Christian Lee Hutson and violinist Odessa Jorgensen. The trio guided the audience through Hawke’s newly released folk-pop album “Maitreya Corso.”
The record dropped that same day, yet much of the audience was already mouthing the words. The second-to-last stop on her tour drew a wide-ranging crowd: tweens, teens, parents, college students, and older fans.
Hawke’s performance wasn’t a typical concert — no flashing lights, elaborate staging, or back-up dancers. Instead, Hawke and her collaborators simply walked on stage and took their seats.
At first, the understated opening was underwhelming. But that restraint soon revealed itself to be the show’s greatest strength.
What unfolded was an intimate performance — the kind that made the audience feel less like spectators and more like participants in a shared, creative space.
Hawke emphasized that intention early on.
“It’s a tour about embracing humanity and realness and about being okay with things going wrong a little bit and knowing that you can figure it all out through love and collaboration,” she said to the audience.
Hawke had a special way of connecting with the audience. In between each song, Hawke either shared an anecdote, off-the-cuff jokes, or asked the audience for questions, drawing frequent laughter and making the room feel personal.
Through fan questions, Hawke shared that her favorite project she’s acted in was “Asteroid City,” while her favorite show her mother, Uma Thurman, acted in was “The Producers.”
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The audience also learned where the album’s name originated from: “Maitreya” was a name her mother once considered for her, while “Corso” nods to her father’s favorite poet, Gregory Corso.
“It’s sort of my alter-ego,” she said of “Maitreya.”
The looseness of the evening extended to the setlist. When an audience member held up a sign saying it’s their birthday, Hawke paused to sing “Happy Birthday.” Later, she added “Hang In There” at a fan’s request — small, unscripted moments that reinforced her passion for connection over perfection.
Musically, the performance stood out for its simplicity. There was no autotune, no backing tracks — just live instruments and unfiltered vocals. In an era where autotune is used frequently, hearing the rawness of Hawke’s voice was refreshing.
Hawke has a raspy, warm, and quietly commanding voice, which carried the set. Jorgensen’s violin added a delicate, emotional layer, and her harmonies weaved seamlessly with Hawke’s vocals.
Hutson anchored the performance with acoustic guitar and occasional harmonica, particularly shining during “Terms of Estrangement,” where the instrument deepened the song’s folk textures.
The set opened with “Devil You Know,” a fitting introduction that showcased Hawke’s signature blend of quick, lyrical phrasing and slower verses.
Songs like “Great Minds” and “Last Thoughts on Morning Star” unfolded with the rhythm of spoken-word poetry, while “Heavy Star” — Hawke’s self-proclaimed favorite — delivered one of the night’s most captivating moments. As the trio layered overlapping lyrics, the effect was hypnotic.
Still, there was one absence that couldn’t be ignored: Joe Keery, whose stage name is Djo. Audience members chatted in the crowd about the Newburyport native and “Stranger Things” co-star potentially making an appearance, but the cameo never came.
In the end, the night wasn’t about surprise guests or spectacle; it was about stripping down music to its essentials — voice, story, and connection. Hawke didn’t need anything more, as what she offered instead was something quieter but far more memorable.
Setlist for Maya Hawke at Crystal Ballroom, May 1, 2026:
- Devil You Know
- Love of My Life
- Great Minds
- Terms of Estrangement
- Dream House
- Slacker in the Rye
- Last Thoughts on a Morning Star
- Last Living Lost Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Lioness
- Bring My Man Home
- Hang in There
- Thérèse
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