By Kyle Horne
Last Tuesday, Haiden Henderson – the internet’s favourite alt-pop and rock star – performed a sold-out headline at London’s The Garage. The Californian, who first shot to stardom on TikTok, has built a cult-following with his viral tracks. Now, a mere month after releasing his pop-fuelled EP, tension, Haiden heads out on his first ever headline tour – a fact you’d find impossible to believe if you saw him live.
Full of intense rockstar swagger, Haiden stepped on stage to his roaring sold-out crowd, some of whom had travelled the world to see him. Three girls in the front row had travelled from Dublin, while some had travelled from Spain – everyone had eagerly awaited his moment in the spotlight.
Kicking off his set with the electrifying tension, fans began jumping from the very start. Haiden’s performance was commanding and sensual – the star pulled little dances here and there while performing his heated tracks, and the lights were pulsing in deep reds.
He followed up with lovesucker, and you could see instantly that Haiden was in his element. He performed the track to perfection, as if it were the studio recording, and fans were starstruck, joyfully dancing to his rock-infused setlist.
After a little while, Haiden greeted the crowd, asking them how many had been to one of his shows before… not that there’s been many! A very select few of the crowd cheered – so when he asked how many this was their first, the crowd roared intensely. Despite having never seen him live before, what was interesting was the way Haiden connected with his crowd, and how they connected with him – almost as if they had met before, though only just through his music.
The Californian charmed his crowd with humour throughout the night, and despite being from America, he gave off total cheeky Brit energy. It wasn’t something you could rehearse either, it was completely natural.
A highlight was when a girl in the crowd held up a poster saying, “Why did you invite so many people to our solo date?”, and he responded full of sass and attitude: “Put a ring on it!” His fans know him all too well, because the girl in the front row even had a ring to give him, so he dedicated the next song to her – good side.
This track was gentler and more laid-back, with the star bearing resemblance to top acoustic singers, including fellow American star, Joshua Bassett. Haiden’s voice is so natural, and he managed to hit even the highest notes – almost like he had a natural autotune. His vocal rasp also allowed him to connect with his more vulnerable side, showcasing a new aspect of Haiden Henderson on stage.
A refreshing addition to his show was how much he spoke to his fans, teasing them, joking with them, and just chatting about life. I’m not sure if it happened naturally because The Garage is a smaller venue, with a capacity of around 600, but I feel this is an approach other artists should take – it made the show feel even more personal and unique, more like an experience, rather than just a gig you’d go to watch on a Tuesday night.
What stood out too was his chemistry with his band. Haiden leaned into his bandmates during the most emotional moments, making it feel less like a solo act and more like a tight-knit collective. It was so inspiring to see, and made me root for them as a group, imagining them on gruelling tour days but connecting through their one true love – music.
The one thing I would say was a shame was that Haiden didn’t have a bigger audience to perform to. Despite this being his first headline tour, he is performance-ready for some of the UK’s biggest stages, and I can easily picture him on the Chevron stage at Reading and Leeds, or London’s Hammersmith Apollo. So, the question is – when, Haiden?
As he glided through fan-favourites from the likes of K.O. to sweet tooth, the show would eventually come to an end. Fans had one trick up their sleeve before it did, with their imaginative fan project showering Haiden in roses during good TV, where they landed on the stage, leaving Haiden visibly touched and bewildered by the sentiment. “Now I ‘gotta pick this sh*t up!” he joked, back to his usual humour, before kicking into a very surprise cover.
Pack your bags Harry Styles, Haiden Henderson’s here to take over, as he performed an incredible rendition of Kiwi – full of punch and attitude, showcasing his confident, commanding presence for what it is. It was the perfect rockstar song for the soon-to-be rockstar, especially paired with his bleach blonde mousy hair, dark black eyeliner, and leather jacket.
His set inevitably came to a close, though not as planned, as the entire venue had to be evacuated due to someone becoming unwell among the crowd.
Like the true showman he is, he got the A-okay and took the crowd outside to perform the final part of his set, ending with hell of a good time, a fitting track not least because of its name. Fans watched in awe as the Californian performed in front of them, sans mic, amplifiers, or even a plug for his guitar.
Overall, it’s impossible to deny that Haiden Henderson has proved himself as a star. He’s got it all: the look, the charisma, and the musicianship. All he needs now is the bigger stages, and I for one cannot wait!
Unless otherwise stated, Photography & Text Copyright 2025 © Kyle Horne/ADRENALINE Magazine.
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