Fans Having a ‘Hell of a Good Time’ at Haiden Henderson’s Show at Frannz Club Berlin
Written and Captured By | Anne Einecke
Haiden Henderson played the fourth show of the European leg of his Tension Tour last Thursday, September 18, at Frannz Club. The 23-year-old artist took the venue by storm with his first-ever Berlin headline concert, which was completely sold out. Fans had been queuing long before doors opened, while a few were already inside for the VIP meet-and-greet.
His fan base’s excitement was visible not only in their energy but also in their outfits. Announced on Instagram and TikTok, Haiden sets a dress code for every show, with Berlin’s theme being “Party Girl/SWEAT.“ Sparkly skirts, silver tops, faux-fur hats, sunglasses, fans and glittery accessories filled the room. Excited to be there, people took selfies and complimented each other’s fits, making it feel more like a community event than just a concert.
That party atmosphere continued with the pre-show playlist, a mix of High School Musical and Twilight soundtracks, Sabrina Carpenter, and Justin Bieber. The entire venue sang along before the live music even began.
The packed room welcomed opening act FLAVIA, who made her entrance in a dreamlike, mystical way, wearing a black lace mask that covered her entire face and a dark sparkly veil with dramatic red ruffles. She gradually revealed her stage wear as her songs unfolded, combining theatrical visuals with raw emotional storytelling. The singer preached self-forgiveness, sharing a story about a time she ignored her own body, and encouraged listeners to be the antidote to a disconnected world with “Call your friends.“ Later, she reflected on death and how it taught her to appreciate life more, dedicating “Wide Awake” to a close friend’s late mother while stepping into the crowd and asking them to raise their phone lights “to the stars.“ Mixing calmer moments with empowering pop numbers, the songstress showed her range and used powerful basslines, ethereal movements, and warm lighting to heighten the emotions. FLAVIA also declared her love for Berlin, recalling her time living in the city, and connected to the crowd by organizing a raffle on set.live during her performance, announcing three lucky winners who could pick up free merch after the show.
When Haiden Henderson finally emerged, the energy peaked. Backed by drummer Grant Whitson and guitarist Christina Apostolopoulos, he set the tone with a bang. The singer-songwriter looked effortlessly cool, wearing a black studded leather jacket over a skintight cream crop top and pants with an emo-era studded belt. He exuded rockstar flair but balanced it with genuine, playful fan interactions, making sure everyone was having a good time. The crowd felt that and sang along to every song at the top of their lungs. As Frannz Club heated up during the concert, Haiden handed out water bottles, telling the audience to look out for each other and joking about sparkling water being “bougie”.
Switching between electric and acoustic guitar, Henderson kept the crowd engaged with humor, high energy, and heartfelt moments, never taking himself too seriously. He acknowledged first-time concertgoers, teased the “boyfriends and dads” in attendance, and laughed at cheeky fan signs – including one that read “Let’s have a hell of a good time backstage.“ Haiden replied „Germany always has the foulest signs, with respect.“ His fanbase, called Haider Nation, also made their presence known with printed-out memes for specific songs, such as “AA” and “lips” as inside jokes, and even had him down a shot, balancing the bottle cap on his nose, since they told him it was a German tradition. The chemistry with his guitarist “XXXTINA” added more playful sparks, and when fans tossed lingerie on stage, he proudly tried on the red lace bralette.
The American artist happily took phones from fans to film the show and continued the tour tradition of handing out a disposable camera, which he had previously used to take a crowd picture. He encouraged fans to snap photos of themselves and the show during his set and then return the camera afterward. His focus on creating memories also showed in the guest book at the merch table, filled with drawings and notes about how much people enjoyed the concert experience.
Every song brought its own vibe – from phone lights illuminating the room to Haiden shadowboxing during “K.O.“, showing his ability to keep the crowd engaged with a dynamic mix of pop and rock. He performed “Fresh Blood” live for the first time, acknowledging the frequent comparisons to Shawn Mendes. This was followed by a powerful cover of Harry Styles’ “Kiwi” and the unreleased track “Chemical,” which fans celebrated enthusiastically. A magical moment occurred when Haiden stepped into the middle of the crowd with his mic and acoustic guitar to perform “killed the kid,“ lit by a single spotlight above him and surrounded closely by fans singing along. This highlighted his ability to create a deep emotional connection alongside the playful, flirtatious side of his songs.
The finale turned wild again, with Henderson energetically banging on Grant’s drum set and tossing the drumsticks into the crowd. After fans screamed for more, he quickly returned to the stage for a three-song encore. Even after the set ended, people were still singing his songs in front of the cloakroom or vibing to his music in the bathrooms.
Henderson seemed impressed by the crowd’s enthusiasm, noting that Berlin had been quieter during his February support show for Emei but exceeded his expectations this time. Later, he wrote in an Instagram story: “berlin u were the most fun crowd of the tour so far. can’t wait to come back xx.“
