Evan Honer “Flips Out” At Sold Out Show In St. Louis

March 26, 2025 Sean Derrick

By: Danya Artimisi

Evan Honer, self-made Indie-Americana musician, played to a sold-out house at Delmar Hall in St. Louis on Saturday night. Historically, music fans gradually pour into venues before the show and during the opening act. On this night, the room was packed by the time that his opener, Timmy Skelly, took to the stage.

Neither of the night’s performers are “nepo babies”, if you will. However, they do have something in common that some may consider either a short cut to the top or may be the normal path of the modern-day route to sharing their independent music far and wide, across the globe electronically and on stage. Either way you want to look at it, neither artist had a free pass to the global stage. They’ve done and continue to do the work despite how easy they make it look.

Just as Evan Honer did, Timmy Skelly, of Sandwich, Illinois (about a two-and-a-half-hour drive northeast of St. Louis), appeared on American Idol. He auditioned with his mother, singing “My Funny Valentine”, which earned him a ticket to Hollywood. It’s immediately unclear how far he advanced, but I’m sure a simple google search will scratch that itch for you if necessary. We have a show to review.

Timmy brought his gritty Americana three-piece back to town, as well as a few local friends. Being that he doesn’t live far from the playground, his welcome was warm and louder than the usual opening act. He shared stories about his (and his drummer’s) college days at Saint Louis University, of which his song, “Summer of ‘16” was written. Even though he broke a string right out of the gate, it didn’t slow them down. He grabbed a backup (re-tuned it since it was in drop D – for all you music heads), the other two improv’d some befitting blues jams, and then on with the show. For a trio, they dropped a polyphonic eargasm with intense harmonies, full to the brim.

Evan Honer made his notable entrance in grand fashion with a back flip! As a competitive diver, gymnast, as well as also having been on American Idol, the stage is no awkward standoff. Unlike Skelly, Honer received 3 “no’s” when Luke Bryan told him to “stick to driving”. (Dummy. Honer has 2.6 million monthly Spotify listeners. Pfft.) It was a cool, symbolic foreshadowing of the night to come. His infectious vibe and energetic performance kept the crowd fully engaged, at attention, eyes wide, and singing along.

Staying consistent to his performances, the band ripped “Free Bird” (It’s a burner. Fight me.) about halfway through, they covered “Linger” by The Cranberries, and wrapped up the show with the Eagles’ hit, “Peaceful Easy Feeling”. It was a beautiful rendition and those harmonies aren’t easy.

Honer played a stellar live performance and continues to prove his worth and boost his following doing what so apparently comes to him so naturally.

Evan Honer’s spring tour kicks off on April 10, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. He does a short festival circuit in June before crossing the pond for a European tour. He is expected to return to the states with dates beginning this September.

SETLIST: Evan Honer | Delmar Hall | St. Louis, Missouri | March 22, 2025

Everything I Wanted

Nowhere Fast

I Figured We’d Go Dancin’

You’d Never Know

High School Reunion

Place I Hate

Scared To Love Again

Comfort The Fall

Wake Up, Come Down

Brother (Acoustic)

A Thousand Times (Acoustic)