STORY BY GABI GARCIA, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
PHOTO BY ANDY DELUCA
5 Seconds of Summer better known as 5SOS, performed at the KIA Forum in Inglewood on Sept. 14, for their The 5 Seconds Of Summer Show World Tour. The 17 thousand capacity stadium was filled to the brim with fans from everywhere around the country.
Since their beginning in 2011, 5SOS has accumulated a wide-range of fans all over the globe. From their small hometown in Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles this band became a safety net for their growing fanbase. Creating an atmosphere of acceptance and connection through their art is something very few artists manage, yet that is exactly what they’ve done.
Their current tour began on July 18, in Buenos Aires; the band described the two nights in Argentina in a social media post as, “…a beautiful kickoff to this tour. Couldn’t have asked for more.” Fans are raving about how much the band has grown artistically and the way they’ve also managed to reconnect with their loyal, day-one fans by dusting off old hits like
“Heartbreak Girl” from their debut album 5 Seconds of Summer and “Disconnected” from their She Looks So Perfect EP.
Walking into the stadium was chaotic, my best friend Karen Salazar and I arrived a bit later than we wanted but made it just in time for the opening act, Meet Me at the Altar, to finish their set. Everyone was buzzing, emotions were high. Fans were waiting in line for merchandise and taking pictures next to the pillars painted with lyrics from every song on the setlist.
We finally made it to our seats, taking pictures and waiting anxiously for the band to come out. The speakers were playing a variety of music, but the moment that stood out was when they played their lead singer Luke Hemmings’ solo song “Starting Line”, the girls next to us perked up, “I cry to this song!” as she laughed with her friend.
Not long after, the lights went out, the stadium erupted in screams, and every single person stood up from their seats. “Welcome to the 5 Seconds of Summer Show, with your hosts Luke Hemmings, Calum Hood, Ashton Irwin, and Michael Clifford!” I could see the band coming up onto the stage, “They’re right there, they’re right there!” I screamed at Salazar. She only laughed, taking in my excitement.
They finally came out, playing “Bad Omens”, a song from their fifth album 5SOS5, I could feel the knot in my throat forming as I started getting emotional. This band was such a big part of my childhood, and now young adulthood, it was almost impossible for me to comprehend that this night was truly happening.
As the night went on, they played what felt like thousands of songs. I went into the concert without checking the setlist, I needed every song to be a surprise. The song that shocked me the most was “Waste the Night,” this song was on their third album Sounds Good Feels Good, I wasn’t expecting to get that shot of nostalgia especially since it’s one of my favorite songs they’ve ever released. “Oh my god! That’s my favorite song!” I yelled, I was overjoyed that they didn’t skip over bassist Calum Hood’s solo in that song. Hood is my favorite member so getting to experience his vocals and instrumental talent was so unbelievable.
I was full of adrenaline and couldn’t peel my eyes away from the stage as I watched the band perform. Drummer Ashton Irwin was electric especially when he “fought” the crowd in a clapping and noise off. He obviously won and proceeded with, “…to feel the energy you’ve been giving us tonight is a dream come true LA. So thank you.”
5SOS and I grew up together, and I knew this experience was one I’d likely not get to do again for a while. “I don’t know when we’ll see each other again,” said Michael Clifford, lead guitarist. The crowd booed at his words, “This is my dream gig, so don’t boo at me!” he laughed. Clifford and his wife are months away from welcoming their first daughter. The likelihood of another tour or album seems very slim so I knew I had to soak the night in completely.
This band is incredibly talented, from opening for One Direction back in 2013 to selling out the Forum in LA. They’ve accomplished so much in the 12 years they’ve been a band. If there is ever another opportunity to see this group, I know I’ll be there, I think everyone should experience it at least once.