Maya Hawke delivers soulful set in Somerville

Concert ratings

The night may not have been about showmanship, but Hawke’s performance underscored something greater: communication.

Known for her fast-talking charm in Stranger Things, Maya Hawke traded sarcasm for honesty on Friday night, delivering an intimate session at Somerville’s Crystal Ballroom.

In a sold out show, “Evening with Maya Hawke” The singer, songwriter and actress appeared seated on stage alongside producer and new husband Christian Lee Hutson and violinist Odessa Jorgensen. The trio walked the audience through Hawk’s newly released folk-pop album “Maitreya Kurusu.”

The record dropped the same day, yet many in the audience were already mouthing the words. The second-to-last stop on her tour attracted a wide-ranging crowd: tweens, teens, parents, college students, and older fans.

Hawke’s performance was not a typical concert, as there were no bright lights, elaborate staging or backup dancers. Instead, Hawke and her collaborators simply walked onto the stage and took their seats.

At first, the soft opening was disappointing. But this restraint soon reveals 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 confirmed this intention early on.

“It’s a tour about embracing humanity and reality, about being okay with something going a little wrong and knowing that you can figure it all out through love and cooperation,” she told the audience.

Hawke had a special way of communicating with the audience. Between each song, Hawk would either share an anecdote, casual jokes, or ask the audience questions, eliciting frequent laughter and making the room feel personal.

Through fan questions, Hawke shared that her favorite project she’s acted in is Asteroid City, while her favorite show her mother Uma Thurman has starred in is The Producers.

The audience also learned where the album’s name came from: “Maitreya” is the name her mother once considered hers, while “Corso” refers to her father’s favorite poet, Gregory Corso.

“It’s kind of an alter ego,” she said of Maitreya.

The evening’s looseness extended to the setlist. When an audience member held up a sign saying it was their birthday, Hawk stopped to sing “Happy Birthday.” Later, she added “Hang In There” at the request of a fan, small, unscripted moments that reinforced her passion for connection rather than perfection.

Musically, the performance was characterized by its simplicity. There was no auto-tune, no backing tracks – just live instruments and unfiltered vocals. In an age where Auto-Tune is frequently used, it was refreshing to hear the rawness of Hawke’s voice.

Hawke had a raspy, warm, soothing voice that carried the group. Jorgensen’s violin added a subtle emotional layer, and her harmonies wove seamlessly with Hawke’s vocals.

Hutson anchored the performance with acoustic guitar and the occasional harmonica, particularly during “Terms of Estrangement,” where the instrument deepened the song’s folky texture.

The set opened with “Devil You Know,” a fitting intro that showcased Hawk’s signature blend of fast lyrical phrasing and slower verses.

Songs like “Great Minds” and “Last Thoughts on Morning Star” featured spoken word poetry, while “Heavy Star,” a self-proclaimed favorite of Hawk’s, provided one of the most captivating moments of the night. As the triplet words were layered, the effect was hypnotic.

However, there was one absence that couldn’t be ignored: Joe Keery, whose stage name is Diego. The audience chattered about the possibility of an appearance by the Newburyport native and Stranger Things co-star, but the appearance never came.

In the end, the night wasn’t all about surprise guests or spectacle; It was about stripping music down to its basics – sound, story and connection. Hawke didn’t need anything more, because what she delivered instead was something quieter but more memorable.

Setlist for Maya Hawke at Crystal Ballroom, May 1, 2026:

• The devil you know
• love of my life
• Great minds
• Terms of expatriation
• Dream house
• The sloth in the rye
• Final thoughts on the Morning Star
• Another reason to lose life
• Heavy rain
• Lioness
• Bring my man home
• Hang out there
• Therese