Hunter Hayes Brings Heart and Energy to Gramercy Theatre on The Evergreen Tour
- Miranda Wyman
- Apr 6
- 5 min read
From intimate dedications to fan requests and cinematic string collaborations, Hunter Hayes seamlessly blends his past hits with new music, creating an unforgettable New York City performance.
Article and Photography contributed by Miranda Wyman.
Hunter Hayes’ return to New York City felt like the kind of concert that reminded everyone why live music still matters. On Friday, April 2, 2026, Hayes brought The Evergreen Tour to the intimate Gramercy Theatre in New York City, giving fans a 24-song set that perfectly balanced the nostalgia of his earlier hits with the growth of his newest era. From the moment doors opened, it was clear this crowd was there for every version of Hunter Hayes.
Opening the night was BLÜ EYES, the Los Angeles pop singer-songwriter whose emotionally driven set immediately won over the room. Her setlist included personal tracks like Healing Hurts, Muscle Memory, and Time Heals Everything, while a mashup of Taylor Swift’s Cruel Summer gave the audience a familiar moment to sing along to. The way she captivated the audience was telling, and it genuinely felt like it’s only a matter of time before she blows up. By the end of her set, she already felt like more than just an opener.
Even before Hunter hit the stage, the energy in the room had its own personality. The crowd leaned older, which gave the night a different kind of atmosphere. The bar lines stretched long before the show started, drinks stayed in everyone’s hands, and the room carried that relaxed but excited buzz that only a seasoned crowd can bring. It set the tone for a night that felt easy and fully lived in.
When Hunter finally came out, there was no dramatic intro or flashy production moment. Instead, the band casually walked onstage one by one before Hayes followed, smiling and greeting the crowd like he was stepping into a room full of friends. He opened with Evergreen, the title track from his newest album, and it was the perfect way to start the night. The rhythm was energetic, and from the very first song, the crowd was fully locked in.
Without missing a beat, he moved right into Storm Warning, pulling out an acoustic guitar with the phrase “For the Love of Music” written across it. It was a small detail, but one that perfectly matched the sincerity he carried throughout the night. The opening run of Evergreen, Storm Warning, and Too Late set the pace early, balancing energy with the kind of musicianship that has always made Hunter such a strong live performer.
After the first three songs, Hunter paused to properly welcome New York City to The Evergreen Tour. He thanked everyone for coming and made it clear that this show was for every kind of fan in the room, whether they were there for the old songs, the new album, or everything in between. He promised the audience he was going to play every song from Evergreen along with a few throwbacks, and over the course of the night, he absolutely kept that promise.
One of the first big nostalgic moments came with Still Fallin’, the fifth song of the night from his 2014 album Storyline. Before getting into it, Hunter dedicated the song to everyone in love and wished them a lifetime of happiness. It was a sweet, genuine moment that fit naturally into the warmth of the night. From there, he moved back into the new era with Dream About before jumping into crowd favorites Somebody’s Heartbreak and Everybody’s Got Somebody but Me. Those throwback moments instantly brought the room to life, with longtime fans singing every word back to him.
What stood out most throughout the show was how easy his connection with the crowd felt. He joked with fans constantly, making the entire concert feel conversational instead of rehearsed. One of the biggest running moments of the night came from fans repeatedly shouting for I Want Crazy. Hunter kept laughing it off, promising he would get to it. At one point, he joked that if he played it too early, everyone would just leave after hearing it. It was the kind of easy humor that made the entire night feel personal.
That connection became even clearer when he took a fan request and performed Light Me Up. In a set already packed with 24 songs, making room for a crowd request made the show feel even more intimate. Right after that, the mood shifted into one of the most emotional moments of the night. Before performing The Ones You Love, Hunter dedicated it to anyone who has ever lost someone. The room noticeably softened as the weight of the lyrics settled in, creating one of the most heartfelt moments of the show.
What made that section even more special was when he welcomed BLÜ EYES back to the stage. By that point, her return felt like more than just bringing the opener back out. She felt like a genuine part of Hunter’s artistic journey, almost like a light within this chapter of his life and music. Their presence together onstage gave the night another emotional layer and made the collaboration feel meaningful rather than routine.
There is always something special about a show in New York City. No matter who the artist is, the city carries a different kind of weight, and special guests always seem to find their way onto the stage. Hunter embraced that tradition by bringing out ARKAI, the GRAMMY Award-winning string duo, for a stunning performance of Invisible. The addition of live strings transformed the song into one of the most cinematic moments of the night, filling Gramercy Theatre in a way that felt both intimate and larger than life.
He continued through songs like Dear God, 21, One Shot, Heartbreak, Tattoo, and Around the Sun, keeping the momentum steady while continuing to blend every era of his career into one seamless story.
By the time he finally got to I Want Crazy, the payoff felt huge. The moment the song started, phones shot into the air all across the venue. Fans from the very front to the back of the room were dancing and screaming every word in sync. The entire room felt united in that moment, moving together in a way only the biggest songs can create. It was easily one of the loudest and most electric moments of the entire night.
Before closing out the show, Hunter took one final moment to thank New York City. His appreciation for the crowd felt genuine, especially after how connected the room had felt from start to finish. He then closed the night with Wanted, a song that felt like the perfect ending. Where the show began by introducing fans to this new Evergreen era, it ended with one of the songs that helped define his career, giving the crowd one last emotional sing-along before the lights came up.
This show felt like more than just another stop on tour. It felt like a celebration of every chapter of Hunter Hayes’ career, from the songs fans grew up with to the music that is defining who he is now. The way he blended old and new, kept the crowd laughing, and created genuine emotional moments made the night unforgettable. At Gramercy Theatre, Hunter Hayes did not just perform a concert. He reminded New York City of why his music continues to stay with people through every era.
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