Live Review: 5 Seconds Of Summer – Old Knees And Big Screams As 5SOS Turns Brisbane Into One Giant Singalong

Words and Images Courtesy of Mert Tyson Media

Well then, I’m off to 5SOS that’s what the young ones say, lol. Seriously, I’d have to be the oldest person in the room at 54, yes? But you know what? Who cares when it comes to having this much fun. What is a number, anyway?

Unfortunately, my wing lady was delayed on her flight from NZ and couldn’t accompany me this evening to give me all the advice, and screams in my right or left ear about this talented bunch of lads. So here it goes — I’ll attempt to write it as I saw it, through my lens and my eyes.

But alas, all was not lost BECAUSE… my crowd peeps and their intel kept me in the loop on all things 5SOS! What an absolutely packed River stage and thousands of screaming fans. I may have screamed once or twice… that scream when you get down to take a photo and realise your old knees cannot get back up. Cough! Anyway, I digress let’s talk about this great evening.

From the get-go, you knew from the video limo/Caddy front and centre AKA the drum riser perfectly set for my 70-200 (nerdy camera talk!) so, that this was going to be something special. The orange glowing cabinets and the super-cool stage meant the 5 Seconds of Summer Everyone’s a Star! World Tour was well and truly in Brisvegas.

Taking a few snaps of the crowd in the front row and seeing the motion and absolute excitement really brought it home to me how important music is, and what it does: the moment the world just stops turning for a couple of hours and you immerse yourself in it.

Playing an incredible set of 27 songs across seven acts, this show was a cracker from start to finish. Being maybe a newer 5SOS fan yeah, I put my hand up when that question was asked I kind of get it now.

As a photographer, the first three songs were no-flash, and I can tell you that “NOT OK,” “No. 1 Obsession,” and the awesome “Teeth” went really quickly. I just wanted to stay there, immersed in the glory and magenta lighting of 5SOS. Do they still have it? Oh, hell yeah!

Everything after this was essentially a bit blurry. It was like a party at a mate’s house with thousands of mates: the banter between songs, the playfulness of the band, lamingtons, IPAs quite a few of them as the story goes. Koalas, and taking the piss out of Jake. A fake awards ceremony and a PowerPoint presentation on how you should enjoy a concert? Gold!

The only thing missing… well, nothing really. Even the nearby residents could hear this beautiful noise from their apartments!

Highlights of this mammoth set: “She’s Kinda Hot” had the crowd exercising their vocal talents, and wow, were the Brisbane faithful awesome, beat that, rest of Australia! “Ghost of You” was mesmerizingly beautiful and clearly hit some heartstrings.

“Wrapped Around Your Finger” gave us a game show with a lucky fan, showing that the band truly appreciate the love. There was this sense of real engagement and community last night; it had everything going for it.

Luke hit up “Starting Line,” Ashton performed “Have U Found What Ur Looking For?” Calum showed how it’s done with “Don’t Forget You Love Me,” and Michael performed “enough,”. Wow, this was fun, and what a moment of true chemistry within this band, to be able to just have fun. Yes, fun is a recurring theme here; it was so much fun the entire night.

“She Looks So Perfect,” “Youngblood” yep, I could sing along to that one close to the end, wow, what a finale. But there were more songs for an old man like me that I realised I knew quite well: “Amnesia,” “Jet Black Heart,” all due to the recurring rinse-and-repeat playlist in my daughter’s car. I was on muscle memory!

Let’s not forget the large pink balls! I’m not going to explain you had to be there. So, make sure you are, Australia.

This had to be one of the most fun concerts I’ve been to in a while, with pure joy from start to finish. 5SOS, well done. What a show, what a great vibe. You came, conquered, and blew the roof off… hang on, no roof ummm sorry no roof they just smashed it!

Next up: Sydney, Melbs, Radelaide and Perth you know you want this. I don’t need to tell you that. Go to this show!

Mert loved it!