The Kaleidoscope concert series continued at Druid City Music Hall as Evan Honer took the stage Thursday with special guests Eli Winders and Liam St. John for a night filled with American folk and blues-inspired music.
Honer, most known for his cover of Tyler Childers’ deep cut “Jersey Giant,” started his career in southern California as he built a social media following by blending genres such as acoustic folk, indie Americana and alternative pop.
“Jersey Giant is my favorite song,” said Sienna Kasper, a freshman in the crowd. “That’s the song I’m most excited to hear.”
Before Honer took the stage, two special guests came on to warm up the crowd before the main event. Winders, a singer-songwriter based in Nashville, kicked off the night full of music with an acoustic set.
Winders sang five songs, including “Famous for a Heartache” as well as a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Our Song,” which was a crowd pleaser, as the audience sang along to the timeless country tune.
After Winders, there was a brief intermission before St. John, who was the second act of the evening, took center stage. He and his band started off his setlist with his single “Where the Pines Meet the Palms.”
Based out of Nashville, Tennessee, St. John is a blues artist who prides himself on soulful lyrics and an electrifying stage presence, which was felt by the whole audience as soon as he came out. St. John’s energy permeated the room, and the audience started to come to life when he and his band performed hits like “forefathers” and “Eastham Prison Farm Blues.”
One of the standout performers of the night was St. John’s bandmate John Gray, who played a variety of different instruments such as the keyboard, the banjo and the harmonica. Gray’s ability to shift between these instruments resonated with the audience, and he garnered a lot of applause.
St. John wrapped up his set, and Honer and his band took the stage alongside his band as the main performer of the evening opened their set with his 2024 hit “Nowhere Fast.”
Andrew Sivulk, a freshman majoring in general business, was particularly excited when Honer finally took the stage. Sivulk said he really appreciated Honer’s performance, as it was a way to bond with friends.
During Honer’s second song of the night, “I Figured We’d Go Dancin’,” many of the students in the audience began square dancing, emphasizing the power of Honer’s folk-inspired music.
It’s not just the style of Honer’s music that resonates with fans — his honest and raw lyrics struck a chord with the audience over the course of the evening.
Ryan Lobdell, a freshman majoring in general business, said that he gravitated toward Honer because of his deep lyrics.
“Evan is different. I don’t hear many artists like him,” Lobdell said.
Honer played for roughly an hour, performing songs like “You’d Never Know” and “Take Me As I Come,” and the crowd danced and cheered along throughout his entire set.
The song the audience was most excited for finally arrived as Honer closed the show with his rendition of “Jersey Giant,” which was a nice send-off for the members of the crowd as they sang aloud to the hit.
After stopping in Tuscaloosa, Honer is set to continue his Nowhere Fast tour in North America to close out a successful year for him and his band.
