Haywire’s surprise Times Square show lasted about 90 seconds before the NYPD shut it down. The Boston hardcore band got through one song and part of another, with an Australian tour less than three weeks away.
On Wednesday, October 28th, Haywire shared the coordinates of the Times Square steps and told fans not to crowd the spot until 8:55pm. The pop-up was intended as a video shoot for ‘Flex Your Head’, but the word spread quickly and hundreds of people turned up.
They finished ‘Flex Your Head’ and were partway through their self-titled song when officers made their way through the crowd and brought the performance to an end. Footage filmed by fans shows the packed scene around the band. Stereogum reports that Haywire’s publicist confirmed there were no arrests.
Haywire didn’t seem disappointed with how it played out. Sharing their own footage afterwards, the band wrote:
“Surround yourself with people that say ‘How can we make this happen?’ and do it.”
It wasn’t their first show of this kind, either. Earlier in the year, Haywire turned a cancelled San Diego date into a guerrilla performance. They’ve since released their Roadrunner Records album I Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye, and a much more organised run of Australian shows is next.
Watch footage of the Times Square performance below.
Haywire Return to Australia in November
The band’s Australian headline tour was originally due to happen in August before visa issues forced a postponement. Those shows are now locked in for November, with Newcastle hardcore outfit Feel The Pain joining every headline date except Perth.
The run begins at Vinnie’s Dive on the Gold Coast on November 18th, with a free Wollongong show and two Sydney sets on Sunday, November 22nd, including an afternoon performance at Hunters Hill Hall. Melbourne’s headline show is at Prince Bandroom on November 25th.
After that, Haywire join Rise Against and Dropkick Murphys for five larger shows, including Brisbane’s Riverstage and the Sydney Opera House Forecourt. Tickets and updates are available through Last Ride Records; there’s more background in our original Australian tour announcement.
Haywire Australian Headline Tour 2026
With special guests Feel The Pain, except Perth
- Wednesday, November 18th – Gold Coast, Vinnie’s Dive
- Thursday, November 19th – Brisbane, The Triffid
- Friday, November 20th – Newcastle, Hamilton Station
- Saturday, November 21st – Wollongong, Gong Crawl at Dicey Riley’s Hotel (Free Show)
- Sunday, November 22nd – Sydney, Hunters Hill Hall (Matinee)
- Sunday, November 22nd – Sydney, The Lansdowne
- Monday, November 23rd – Perth, Lynott’s Lounge (Haywire only)
- Tuesday, November 24th – Adelaide, Jive
- Wednesday, November 25th – Melbourne, Prince Bandroom
With Rise Against and Dropkick Murphys
- Thursday, November 26th – Melbourne, John Cain Arena
- Saturday, November 28th – Gosford, Meltdown Festival
- Sunday, November 29th – Brisbane, Riverstage
- Tuesday, December 1st – Sydney, Sydney Opera House Forecourt
- Friday, December 4th – Perth, Red Hill Auditorium
Photo: Alexander Hallag / BLUNT. Haywire live in Melbourne, June 2026.
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