hunter hayes, “flying solo season 2”

Hunter Hayes was the first person I saw in concert; he was the first artist I really connected with, and now it’s all come full circle. Hunter announced his Flying Solo Season 2 Tour in February of 2024, a 21-date tour. I attended Hunter’s show at House of Blues in Anaheim, California.

I purchased VIP tickets, Package One. I was really excited because I hadn’t had a VIP experience in a while and was also eager to meet Hunter, whose music I loved so much. I’ll have a post all about the Flying Solo Season 2 VIP Experience HERE.

Courtesy of Sammy Rae || House of Blues

This tour was different from the last tour I attended of Hunter’s at House of Blues. Last time it was all standing room, but this time it was assigned seating, which I loved and hated.

The crowd was so on fire last time, up on their feet (not like we had a choice), and this time everyone was sitting down the entire concert. It was a bummer because the energy the crowd gives off is half of what makes concerts so fun.

Hunter had a few special guests for various tour dates. At my show, Hunter brought a pop and soulful singer known as BLU EYES.

I started listening to her as soon as Hunter announced she would be accompanying him on tour and found this incredibly truthful and beautifully raw artist who is someone I’ll support forever.

Courtesy of Sammy Rae || BLU EYES

Shortly after listening to her music, I found out BLU EYES suffers from chronic illness, and I felt that much more connected to her. BLU EYES gives fans a shoulder to cry on, writing and recording songs about the struggle of illness, friendship breakups, and body dysmorphia.

She has such a beautiful light about her and is one of the most down-to-earth and caring human beings I’ve ever met.

BLU EYES Setlist (NOT IN ORDER/MAY BE MISSING SONGS):

• Ruin My Life

• through her eyes

• HOW DARE YOU

• wish we never happened

• Clean/Style/Love Story/ All Too Well (Taylor Swift cover mashup)

• healing hurts

• you’d never know

• used to be pretty

I’m ready to go to BLU EYES’ first headlining tour and just cry with a bunch of other fans while screaming Taylor Swift at the top of our lungs.

BLU EYES was standing outside her merch table to sign autographs and say hi after her set. I immediately got out of my seat and went to go say hi, and so did half the venue. She had so many people wanting to talk to her, and she made time for every single one of us and listened to what we had to say.

Hunter came on shortly after I got back to my seat. The theme of this tour, ‘flying solo,’ meant Hunter had no band. It was just him, a loop pedal, a few guitars, and a piano. The man has talent!

Courtesy of Sammy Rae || Hunter Hayes

Hunter is one of the few artists who, in my opinion, know music like the back of their hand. He can write, compose, perform, and knows how to play almost any instrument you could give him.

Hunter brought his studio on the road and set it up on stage at every venue, taking fans into the recording process. It’s the whole core of the Flying Solo Tour, and that kind of performance is a must-see for any concert fanatic.

To step it up a notch, Hunter invites a couple of fans from each stop on the tour and brings them up on stage to request any song of his, and Hunter will do it on the spot, just him and his piano.

At the Anaheim show, the songs requested were Saint or a Sinner, Preacher, and Hunter duetted with a fan for her request, What You Gonna Do.

Courtesy of Sammy Rae || Hunter Hayes

Hunter’s Setlist: (NOT IN ORDER, MAY BE MISSING SONGS):

• Wild Blue

• Somebody’s Heartbreak/There’s Nothing Like Starting Over

• Missing You

• If You Change Your Mind

• Sober

• Still Fallin’

• Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me

• Invisible

• Still

• Dear God

• Storm Warning

• I Want Crazy

• Wanted

Courtesy of Sammy Rae || Hunter Hayes

Venue: House of Blues is a great venue! The bathrooms, walkways, and stage area itself are super clean. The staff is also really knowledgeable, kind, and willing to help you have a great show if any problems arise.

Seats: This show had assigned seating, which was great for someone who has a chronic illness and can’t stand for a long time. I was still so close to the stage, too. My seat was GOLD1, ROW 2, SEAT 10

Merch: Hunter had a lot of really great merch to choose from. He had sweaters, long sleeves, short sleeves, vinyls, and signed posters. I purchased the vinyl and signed poster, so I can’t attest if the merch was good quality.

Parking: You have to park in the parking garage of STC Anaheim Garden Walk, which is a fantastic shopping area, by the way! House of Blues will give you a voucher to discount your parking as you leave the concerts. I’m not sure if parking changes based on the concert, but for Hunter it was $4. There wasn’t too much traffic, and it flowed pretty nicely.

Overall: Hunter put’s on such a great show no matter if he has a full band or if it’s him by himself. There was never a moment where I was bored or wished the show would be better. It was such a fun night! I’ll never not miss Hunter when he comes to town. His concerts are so inspirational and so well put on by him and his incredibly kind team. 8.5/10!