Haywire turn police-shut-down Times Square gig into ‘Flex Your Head’ video
Author Benedetta Baldin - 5.11.2026
Boston hardcore band Haywire have unveiled the official music video for “Flex Your Head”, capturing their brief but explosive guerrilla performance in New York City’s Times Square on October 28. The spontaneous show drew a large crowd and a street-level mosh pit before officers from the New York Police Department brought the set to an abrupt end.
The newly released video turns that confrontation into a document of the band’s do-it-yourself approach to live music. Directed by Luis Hernandez, the clip was filmed by Wes Knoll, Anthony Ryan Tripoli and Stephen Michael Simon.
Times Square performance becomes official music video
Ahead of the October 28 performance, Haywire shared a last-minute social media announcement directing fans to a specific spot in Times Square. The musicians quickly set up their equipment as supporters gathered around them.
The band completed “Flex Your Head” and began their song “Haywire” before police intervened, cutting the impromptu set short after approximately one and a half songs. Fan-shot footage of the incident circulated online in the days that followed.
The official video features scenes from the gathering, the energetic crowd and the moments surrounding the police shutdown. It also incorporates behind-the-scenes material from the band’s preparations.
According to Knotfest, the clip is available exclusively on Spotify until Monday, November 9, when it is scheduled for a wider release across video platforms.
A song about hardcore culture and community
“Flex Your Head” appears on Haywire’s album “I Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye”, released in October through Roadrunner Records.
Vocalist Austin Sparkman has explained that the song addresses people who attach themselves to underground music and other subcultures without taking the time to understand or participate in the communities behind them. He contrasted online familiarity with the experience of meeting people and becoming involved in a scene firsthand.
The Times Square performance reflected the band’s preference for unconventional shows. Since forming in 2023, Haywire have developed a reputation for an intense touring schedule and spontaneous performances outside traditional concert venues.
Haywire prepare for extensive 2027 touring
The group will continue promoting “I Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye” with an ambitious international schedule. Their early 2027 plans include UK headline dates in January, followed by a European run supporting Comeback Kid alongside Whispers and Speedway.
North American shows and festival appearances are also planned, including album release concerts in Los Angeles and Boston in March.
Fans can find the new “Flex Your Head” video through the band’s official channels and Knotfest’s coverage.
Upcoming shows:
Friday, November 13, 2026 – The Shrine Mosque, Springfield, MO, US
Sunday, November 15, 2026 – Vans Warped Tour Orlando, Orlando, FL, US
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 – Vinnies Dive, Gold Coast, Australia
Thursday, November 19, 2026 – The Triffid, Newstead, Australia
Friday, November 20, 2026 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington, Australia
Saturday, November 21, 2026 – Wollongong Central, Wollongong, Australia
Sunday, November 22, 2026 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney, Australia
Sunday, November 22, 2026 – Hunters Hill Town Hall, Sydney, Australia
Monday, November 23, 2026 – Lynott’s Lounge, Perth, Australia
Tuesday, November 24, 2026 – Jive, Adelaide, Australia
Wednesday, November 25, 2026 – The Tote – Band Room, Melbourne, Australia
Friday, November 27, 2026 – John Cain Arena, Melbourne, Australia
Saturday, November 28, 2026 – The Entertainment Grounds, West Gosford, Australia
Sunday, November 29, 2026 – Riverstage, Brisbane City, Australia
Tuesday, December 01, 2026 – Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney, Australia
Friday, December 04, 2026 – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth, Australia
Sunday, January 03, 2027 – Greyfriars Social Club, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Monday, January 04, 2027 – Rebellion, Manchester, United Kingdom
Tuesday, January 05, 2027 – G2 The Garage, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Wednesday, January 06, 2027 – The Grove, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Thursday, January 07, 2027 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, United Kingdom
Friday, January 08, 2027 – The Castle & Falcon, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Saturday, January 09, 2027 – The Corn Exchange Newport, Newport, United Kingdom
Sunday, January 10, 2027 – The Garage, London, United Kingdom
Tuesday, January 12, 2027 – Daltons Showrooms + Bar, Brighton, United Kingdom
Thursday, January 14, 2027 – Sputnik-Halle, Münster, Germany
Friday, January 15, 2027 – Substage, Karlsruhe, Germany
Saturday, January 16, 2027 – Lyon, France
Sunday, January 17, 2027 – Le Bascala, Bruguières, France
Monday, January 18, 2027 – Warehouse, Nantes, France
Tuesday, January 19, 2027 – Le Trabendo, Paris, France
Wednesday, January 20, 2027 – Trix, Antwerp, Belgium
Thursday, January 21, 2027 – Doornroosje, Nijmegen, Netherlands
Friday, January 22, 2027 – Essigfabrik, Cologne, Germany
Saturday, January 23, 2027 – Gruenspan, Hamburg, Germany
Sunday, January 24, 2027 – Festsaal Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany
Tuesday, January 26, 2027 – Proxima, Warsaw, Poland
Wednesday, January 27, 2027 – MeetFactory, Prague, Czech Republic
Thursday, January 28, 2027 – Z-Bau, Nuremberg, Germany
Friday, January 29, 2027 – Nachtwerk Club, Munich, Germany
Saturday, January 30, 2027 – Arena Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Sunday, January 31, 2027 – Dürer Kert, Budapest, Hungary
Friday, February 12, 2027 – LDB Fest 2027, Louisville, KY, US
Saturday, February 20, 2027 – Williams Center, Rutherford, NJ, US
Sunday, February 21, 2027 – Union Stage, Washington, DC, US
Monday, February 22, 2027 – The Canal Club, Richmond, VA, US
Tuesday, February 23, 2027 – Hangar 1819, Greensboro, NC, US
Wednesday, February 24, 2027 – Eastside Bowl, Nashville, TN, US
Thursday, February 25, 2027 – Atlanta Utility Works, Atlanta, GA, US
Friday, February 26, 2027 – Skatepark of Tampa, Tampa, FL, US
Saturday, February 27, 2027 – Revolution Live, Fort Lauderdale, FL, US
Monday, March 01, 2027 – Handlebar, Pensacola, FL, US
Tuesday, March 02, 2027 – Fred Hampton Free Store, New Orleans, LA, US
Thursday, March 04, 2027 – The End, Houston, TX, US
Friday, March 05, 2027 – Brushy Street Commons, Austin, TX, US
Saturday, March 06, 2027 – Rubber Gloves Patio, Denton, TX, US
Monday, March 08, 2027 – Space 515, Albuquerque, NM, US
Tuesday, March 09, 2027 – Bullshooters, Phoenix, AZ, US
Wednesday, March 10, 2027 – SOMA, San Diego, CA, US
Thursday, March 11, 2027 – Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA, US
Friday, March 12, 2027 – Strummer’s, Fresno, CA, US
Saturday, March 13, 2027 – The Ritz, San Jose, CA, US
Monday, March 15, 2027 – Quality Flea Center, Seattle, WA, US
Tuesday, March 16, 2027 – High Limit Room, Portland, OR, US
Wednesday, March 17, 2027 – The Shredder, Boise, ID, US
Thursday, March 18, 2027 – Fellowship Sober Hall, Salt Lake City, UT, US
Friday, March 19, 2027 – Sound Bar, Fort Collins, CO, US
Saturday, March 20, 2027 – D3 Arts, Denver, CO, US
Monday, March 22, 2027 – Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS, US
Tuesday, March 23, 2027 – Wooly’s, Des Moines, IA, US
Wednesday, March 24, 2027 – Underground Music Venue, Minneapolis, MN, US
Thursday, March 25, 2027 – Metro Praise International, Chicago, IL, US
Friday, March 26, 2027 – Russell Industrial Center, Detroit, MI, US
Saturday, March 27, 2027 – Preserving, Pittsburgh, PA, US
Monday, March 29, 2027 – The King of Clubs, Columbus, OH, US
Tuesday, March 30, 2027 – The Foundry, Cleveland, OH, US
Wednesday, March 31, 2027 – Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, US
Thursday, April 01, 2027 – Baltimore Soundstage, Baltimore, MD, US
Saturday, April 03, 2027 – The Brooklyn Monarch, Brooklyn, NY, US
Sunday, April 04, 2027 – Roadrunner, Boston, MA, US
Friday, April 09, 2027 – Le Caveau, Moncton, NB, Canada
Saturday, April 10, 2027 – The Marquee Ballroom, Halifax, NS, Canada
Sunday, April 11, 2027 – Benevolent Irish Society, Irish Cultural Centre, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
Monday, April 12, 2027 – The Cap, Fredericton, NB, Canada
Wednesday, April 14, 2027 – Le Murdoch, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
Thursday, April 15, 2027 – Club Soda, Montreal, QC, Canada
Friday, April 16, 2027 – The 27 Club, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Saturday, April 17, 2027 – Lithuanian House, Toronto, ON, Canada
Tuesday, April 20, 2027 – Bloom, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
Thursday, April 22, 2027 – The Park Theatre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Friday, April 23, 2027 – The Exchange, Regina, SK, Canada
Saturday, April 24, 2027 – The Starlite Room, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Sunday, April 25, 2027 – Dickens Pub, Calgary, AB, Canada
Wednesday, April 28, 2027 – The Blue Grotto, Kamloops, BC, Canada
Thursday, April 29, 2027 – The Pearl, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Friday, April 30, 2027 – United Commons, Victoria, BC, Canada
