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Evan Honer Shares Heartfelt Indie-Folk Moments at the Two Step Inn

By Larry Philpot on May 4, 2026

Evan Honer stepped onto the Pony Up stage at 3:30 p.m. on April 18, 2026, and the early afternoon crowd at San Gabriel Park responded with the kind of quiet attention that comes when an artist delivers songs that feel pulled straight from real life. The Surprise, Arizona native brings a warm, plainspoken style to indie folk and country—acoustic-driven melodies paired with thoughtful lyrics about growth, regret, and finding your way—that stands out in a scene often leaning toward bigger productions or trends. His music feels like a conversation with a friend who’s been through it, honest without being heavy-handed.

Evan Honer performs at Day 2 of the Two Step Inn Festival, Georgetown Texas on April 18, 2026. (Photo Credit and copyright: Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

From Viral Cover to Steady Rise

Honer first caught national ears in 2022 with his cover of Tyler Childers’ “Jersey Giant,” a performance that racked up millions of streams and introduced his clear, earnest voice to a wider audience. Originally from Arizona, he began playing guitar as a teenager, built a following through YouTube, and has since released several projects including *West on I-10*, *Fighting For*, and the 2025 album *Everything I Wanted* (with a deluxe edition in early 2026 adding tracks like “Die a Drunk,” “Lying to Your Face,” and “For Myself”). Now in his mid-20s and signed to Cloverdale Records, he continues touring steadily, blending acoustic roots with subtle indie-folk touches while keeping the focus on storytelling.

Evan Honer and His Live Band

Evan Honer – Lead Vocals and Guitar

(Honer performs with a tight supporting live band on festival dates. No substantial or long-term lineup changes have been reported as he continues developing his touring group.)

His Set on the Pony Up Stage

On the festival’s Pony Up stage—reserved for emerging artists—Honer and the band delivered a focused, emotionally grounded performance that drew heavily from *Everything I Wanted* and recent singles. The set stood out for its sincerity in the open-air setting, with Honer’s acoustic guitar and the band’s tasteful accompaniment letting the lyrics breathe. A highlight came with an especially moving take on “Not There Yet,” which had the growing crowd leaning in.

Most Likely Setlist (full official setlist not published; based on his 2026 average performances, confirmed songs from the festival, and recent shows):

Not There Yet
Nowhere Fast
Lose A Friend
Place I Hate
Jersey Giant
Everything I Wanted
Long Road

What Stands Out About Evan Honer Live

The Two Step Inn festival once again set up shop at scenic San Gabriel Park in Georgetown, Texas—just a quick drive north of Austin. The park’s live oaks and open layout give the event a relaxed, neighborhood-gathering feel, with three stages offering everything from up-and-coming acts on Pony Up to bigger names on Big River, plus local vendors and space to settle in. Day 1 built nicely under clear skies until afternoon storms arrived and forced the cancellation of the remaining performances as well as most of Kaitlin Butts’ set at 5:30 p.m.

If you appreciate singer-songwriters who keep things real and let the songs do the talking, Evan Honer’s sets deliver exactly that. His Pony Up performance showed a young artist already comfortable connecting with an audience.