While anticipation buzzed through every corner of the Moda Center, Alex Warren proved why his meteoric rise from social media personality to chart-topping singer-songwriter is more than just “internet hype”. Performing before a sold out Portland crowd, Warren delivered an emotionally charged set that balanced arena-sized anthems with the vulnerability that has become his trademark.
Touring alongside Warren was the duo of Nat and Alex Wolff. These brothers were made popular by the nickelodeon show “The Naked Brothers Band” and they carried that same chaotic loving energy into the moda center. While performing “Glue” Nat decided to roll around the stage while Alex let the sea of screaming fans know that he won’t get up until they clap loud enough. Once the crowd finally got loud enough for Nat he got up and got off stage to hug and high five every fan in the front of the stage! The brothers thanked Alex Warren for giving them this opportunity and bowed to the fans before leaving the stage for the headlining act.
As the lights dimmed, a heart wrenching video diary played throughout the arena. Video of Alex growing up and times in his life where he played “concerts” and made “new songs” as a child. As the opera style curtain raised to show a full array of band members as they started playing “Troubled Waters”. Alex Warren was shot out of the middle of the stage to greet the screaming fans already ready for what he had to bring. Right before “First Time” Alex felt he had described why he was wearing a suede jacket, saying ”I have to look like I live here, but now I feel all butch and belong in the woods”. While performing “First Time” Alex took an opportunity to shout to his deceased father “Dad look, Im in fucking Oregon!”.
Alex had to take a moment to address the kids in the room letting them know he has a “potty mouth” and they can not repeat the bad words he says, also letting them know that Santa stopped coming to his house because of it, “or is it because both of my parents are dead?” Alex jokingly made the correlation.
Alex came off the main stage to go to a small platform in the middle of the crowd and performed a 4 song acoustic, during which he took a second to talk to the people in the crowd who have lost someone they love. He wanted everyone to know that it hurts and it feels like you are alone in your suffering but it gets easier. “It doesn’t go away, it just gets easier” also mentioning that you die twice “When your heart stops beating, and when your stories are no longer told. NEVER stop telling their story, Sharing memories, and hold onto the love you have for that special person”. After there was not a dry eye among the thousands of people he decided to lighten the mood by inviting someone on stage to press the button that activates the confetti! Finishing his night in Portland with his hit song “Ordinary” he left an impression to everyone there that you can do anything you want just work for it!
