.png)
Hurts: 15 Years of Happiness Tour in Berlin – 2025
- Agne
- May 26
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 24
24th May was one of the most anticipated days on my concert calendar — I was finally going to see Hurts again, for the first time since 2016. Last autumn, they announced the 15 Years of Happiness Tour, a celebration of their debut album — the one that marked their breakthrough. I couldn’t have been more excited to experience it live. So here are my fresh thoughts on the Hurts 15 Years of Happiness Tour in Berlin.
My Fan Journey
Hurts are an English synth-pop duo consisting of singer Theo Hutchcraft and multi-instrumentalist Adam Anderson. For me, they’re the band — I’ve been a fan since the very beginning of their career. And let’s be honest, it’s easy to become a fan when a band’s debut album is completely free of skips. NME even praised Happiness for “the genius of its construction, its glinting formal perfection.”
Like many, I first heard Hurts through “Wonderful Life” and “Stay,” but it was their concert during the 2011 Happiness Tour that completely won me over — I became obsessed. Then they came back to Lithuania in 2012 to perform at a festival in Palanga, and I got to see them live again. By that time, I was already a full-on dedicated fan. Their music has been the soundtrack to different parts of my life ever since.
In 2016, I saw them again during the Surrender Tour in Vilnius — and by the way, I love that album! What I didn’t know back then was that I’d have to wait nine more years to see them again. But that day finally came: 24th May 2025. (Note: Sadly, Adam Anderson didn’t join the tour due to mental health reasons.)
Berlin Show Recap: Hurts 15 Years of Happiness Tour 2025 Experience
I took my mom with me, and we flew into Berlin on the morning of the 24th. We explored the city while waiting to check in to our hotel, but honestly, all I could think about was the concert. You know that butterfly feeling? Yep, I was THAT excited.
Around 5 p.m. — an hour and a half before doors opened — we arrived at the Tempodrom, a venue that holds around 4,000 people. The queuing and waiting were long and exhausting (lots of standing around), but I’ll share more about that experience another time. Right now, I want to focus on Hurts and the performance.
Around 9 p.m., Theo Hutchcraft walked on stage with the band, and the crowd went absolutely wild. He was dressed in his signature black suit and the white scarf from the 2011 Happiness tour! They opened with “Silver Lining,” just like on the album, and followed it up with “Wonderful Life.” Talk about a powerful opening. The rest of the Happiness album followed in order. It had been 14 years since I last heard those songs live — and it brought back every emotion that made me a fan in the first place. Pure goosebumps with every song.
After they finished the Happiness album, Theo and the band left the stage — but of course, the fans weren’t ready to say goodbye. As the intro to “Redemption” played, Theo returned and opened the second part of the show with “Miracle” from their second album. That was followed by “Some Kind of Heaven,” “Rolling Stone,” and more. The setlist was just perfect. At some point, the Tempodrom transformed into one big dance floor — people jumping, clapping, and losing themselves in the music.
They closed the encore with “Wings,” ending the show with Theo’s signature gesture — throwing white roses into the crowd. Sadly, I didn’t catch one, as being 167cm just doesn’t make you a competitive catcher, but it was still a perfect finale to two hours of musical magic. (If you’re curious, here’s the full setlist)
Performance and Theo’s Stage Presence
Theo gave absolutely everything to the audience. The crowd was singing every word, cheering so loudly, and Theo looked genuinely impressed by such a reception. You cannot argue that Theo has a natural talent to be on stage — he’s artistic, charming, and charismatic. And let’s not forget his deep, powerful voice that sends chills down your spine and enchants with every note. From start to finish, Theo owned the stage, proving that with incredible songs and a truly great performer, you don’t need anything else for an unforgettable concert.
The band supporting Theo was incredible too. There were violinists, an opera singer for select songs, and two dancers who resembled the “Wonderful Life” music video — appearing every other track. The setup was minimalist, but that allowed the music and Theo to shine. And this means you can actually fully immerse yourself into the music and feel every word and every beat.
I’m focusing so much on the music and performance because I genuinely believe that many big-name concerts today rely too heavily on flashy effects, props, and theatrics. Sometimes, the actual music gets lost in all that. So, it was refreshing to attend a show that was so purely about quality music and emotional connection.
The Crowd in Berlin: Real Ones Only
The crowd? Absolutely next level. Hurts initially announced just two shows — one in London and one in Berlin — and tickets sold out in minutes, my guess was that hardcore fans got them first. More dates were added later, but this Berlin show felt like a true gathering of dedicated fans. You could tell right away when we arrived at the venue — it was already quite crowded, more packed than you'd expect for a medium-sized gig.
And the moment Theo stepped on stage, the crowd exploded. People weren’t just singing the hits — they were singing everything. Theo seemed genuinely surprised and touched by the energy and devotion.
Seeing an artist visibly moved by their fans? Nothing beats that.
Final Thoughts
Hurts are such an underrated band — and I honestly don’t understand why. But in a way, it works out for fans like me. We get reasonably priced tickets, smaller and more intimate venues, and a passionate community.
If you ever get the chance to see Hurts live, don’t think twice. Just go. You might just discover your new favorite band. You can check out all the dates for the 15 Years of Happiness Tour here.
As for me, I’ll be spending the next few days deep in post-concert blues — still riding that Hurts fever. And who knows, maybe I already have a ticket to another Hurts show? Stay tuned and find out!
