From the moment I walked into Commodore Ballroom, it was clear this wasn't going to be a passive crowd. The room was already filled with twenty-somethings in (cowboy) hats and bandanas. Even before the show began, people were dancing to the pre-show playlist, eagerly awaiting Evan Honer's arrival.
When he finally hit the stage, literally cartwheeling into view, the tone for the night was set: playful, unpredictable, and high energy. Opening with the title track of his latest album, "Everything I Wanted", Honer immediately subverted expectations. While his recorded music feels more laid-back and pensive, the live version was anything but. Backed by a five-piece band, the sound felt big and alive.
The stage design added a theatrical feel, anchored by large red drapes and low lights. Honer's vocals were impeccable, carrying the emotional weight of songs originally crafted as a bedroom artist, before he launched his very own label, while upscaling effortlessly to fill a nearly sold-out Commodore Ballroom, the largest Canadian stop on this tour.
The crowd responded immediately to Evan Honer's storytelling. They sang loudly, shifting from teary-eyed ballads to full-body dancing during the more rock-style tracks. Sometimes even without prompting, they clapped on beat, swayed side to side, threw their hands up in the air, and created a mosh pit here and there.
Notably, there were far fewer phones in the air than usual, giving off a really real, present energy.
Midway through, Honer dialed things back, introducing what he called the "most depressing songs of the show." These quieter moments, including two moments where his band moved toward Honer to harmonise with him, highlighted his versatility. Still, the energy never disappeared; he quickly started building again toward a powerful finish.
The set was filled with memorable details: a perfectly executed bottle flip during "Fooling Ourselves", several backflips, subtle choreographed moves during "Jersey Giant", and even a surprise appearance from his dog, Leroy.
The encore began with Honer alone before the band rejoined him, debuting new music. He wrapped things up with a singalong during "Idk shit about cars" that had the crowd lingering around after the show.
As an independent artist who has built his label, studio, and touring operation from the ground up, Honer's gratitude toward his fans felt deeply genuine. This performance wasn't just a concert, it was a celebration of that journey, highlighting how it's turned into something bigger, bolder, and harder to define.