5 Seconds of Summer – EVERYONE’S A STAR! World Tour

words&photos by Chloe Williams 

5 Seconds of Summer are one of those bands that will never not thrive. They always seem to be doing something right, and nobody is complaining. The “EVERYONE’S A STAR!” World Tour is quite possibly the best performance yet, infused with sarcastic and often dry humour, undeniable talent, distinctive visuals, comedy skits and a deep dive into music new and old. It is a dream come true for a dedicated fan of the band, with references that only the real ones would understand – a show for the fangirls, the ones who have stuck with them through thick and thin, various magazine cover troubles (if you know you know) and many genre-defying albums later. And as a fangirl myself, I am currently floating. 

From a pop-rock group of Australian 18-year-olds who wore Green Day t-shirts and wanted to be known as anything but a boyband, vocalist Luke Hemmings, bassist Calum Hood, guitarist Michael Clifford and drummer Ashton Irwin have decided to embrace everything they previously were and have become. With six albums in tow and a whole load of life developments later, the band is not at the end of the line just yet. Rather, they are at the beginning, and re-live the story of ‘the best boyband in the world’ every single night of the “EVERYONE’S A STAR!” World Tour. 

The Birmingham show on Tuesday 31st March was nothing but perfect. With the band previously missing the city on the last tour, it felt like a return to a home they didn’t even know they had. And with the prepared power-point slideshow, this felt even more applicable. For each show, the members did their research and learned how Birmingham was the birthplace of Cadbury chocolate, the place to channel your inner Ozzy, and also the ideal location to speak only in dramatic threats inspired by The Peaky Blinders. This mid-show break also saw the band present a flow chart linked to the fan reactions when playing new vs old music, signalling their dive into the past and the revival of “English Love Affair” and “She’s Kinda Hot”. Their humour has never changed, and it is nice to see the band still having fun on the stages they have come to know like the back of their hand.

And the set list, well, that is another story. Starting with pumped-up lead single “NOT OK” as the boys arrived in a limousine wearing flat caps before leading into “No.1 Obsession” with hot pink visuals, the new tunes immediately captured the attention of the audience and set the entire show on the right path. “Teeth” came before a major montage moment, showcasing the bands progression from their early days and hilarious quotable moments relating to their status as a ‘global sensation’ before progressing into “Easier” and “More”. New single “istillfeelthesame” gave Michael his moment, while “No Shame” explored the high-pitched vocals of 2020’s “CALM” and the alluring leopard print we all miss. As mentioned before, “She’s Kinda Hot” acted as a crowd favourite, preparing everyone for the memorable experiences of “Boyband,” “Telephone Busy” and “Evolve”. 

Every concert needs an emotional moment made perfect by confetti and the feeling of nostalgia, and “Bad Omens” was the perfect contender here. As the music slowed down, we saw existential “Ghost Of You” bring out both tears and phone torch lights, with “I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again” bridging the gap to their solo tracks. The rest of the night felt like one big fever dream, with older tracks stealing the limelight, including much-loved “Amnesia” and powerful anthem “Jet Black Heart”. Before you knew it, you were witnessing the closing lineup embodying the strengths of UK No.1 hit single “She Looks So Perfect” and ending with an unforgettable performance of “Everyone’s A Star!” and the well-known finale “Youngblood”. A surreal performance filled with every feeling you could possibly ache for, though it does start reaching for the irrevocable concert depression before you can protest.  

5 Seconds of Summer are no longer the boys they used to be, but are instead the comedic, forever talented and expressive individuals they dreamed to be. To work with the fans and come back even stronger after a 2-year hiatus, each with a carefully curated album and style of their own, is to enjoy their time together and appreciate the world they have tried so hard to conquer, for it to now be their own. If you haven’t already been, the “EVERYONE’S A STAR!” World Tour is calling your name, and expecting your arrival. Now touring through Europe before welcoming the rest of the world, this is your chance before it’s too late.

Listen to “EVERYONE’S A STAR! (Fully Evolved)” on all streaming platforms now.