Photo Gallery and Show Review: Christian Lee Hutson in Oregon

Words and Photos by Abby Monical

The first time I heard Christian Lee Hutson perform was in 2022 as the opener for his friend, and frequent collaborator, Phoebe Bridgers. This time around, Hutson returned to Oregon to tour his latest album Paradise Pop. 10, which was released in September of last year. His opening set on Bridgers’ Reunion tour immediately made me a fan, so I was excited to see his headlining show in the just 300 capacity room of Polaris Hall. A brisk February evening in Portland provided the perfect backdrop for the audience to be swept up by Hutson’s signature warm and comforting sound.

New York’s Allegra Krieger opened the show with a captivating set of indie rock, marked by an impressive stage presence, even with only her voice and her Telecaster. She started off shy with the audience, but gained confidence, cracking jokes and making small talk in between songs. I really enjoyed the range of emotion she could emulate, maneuvering with ease from a beautiful whisper to a passionate cry.

Christian Lee Hutson took to the stage at 9pm along with violinist and singer Odessa Jorgensen. They sported colorful matching jackets with “CLH” embroidered on the front. The intimate stage was set with a small table displaying a stained glass lamp. A large fantastical map of the United States with lyrical references to Hutson’s latest album provided a backdrop, and a cute way to keep the audience immersed, looking for easter eggs throughout the night.

Hutson quickly set a casual tone and friendly rapport with the audience, encouraging folks to ask questions while tuning his guitar. He made sure none of his three albums were left out of the setlist, with emphasis on his latest LP. Jorgensen’s backup vocals and bowed harmonies blended in perfectly with Hutson’s intricate guitar work and soft voice. The already tiny room seemed to shrink with his performance, as though he sang to each and every human being on a personal level. He intercut the set with stories that made the eager crowd feel as if they had suddenly been whisked away to a comedy club. I never knew I wanted a two-for-one music and stand-up show, but now I can’t imagine anything better! He talked about writing the song “After Hours” following a “near death experience,” where he smoked too much weed and met God.

About halfway through the set, Maya Hawke appeared from out of the crowd to sing on the song “Candyland,” which she co-wrote with Hutson. She even returned for the encore to sing “Hang In There,” another collaboration from the pair, heard on Hawke’s own album Chaos Angel!

The highlight of the show for me truly was just listening to him talk. His clear gift for storytelling, whether set to a tune or not, was evident in the little world he would paint just to gush about his violinist, or to describe his brief stint in the afterlife. Hutson creates those same worlds – lush, detailed, and personal – in his songs.

Setlist: