Tag: The Sun Rose

The concert followed the Australian quartet’s announcement of a new forthcoming album

As teen rockers, pop-rock band 5 Seconds of Summer never cared for being called a boyband. But just over a decade later — a string of No.1 albums, a slew of chart-topping tracks and solo projects under the belt — Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood and Ashton Irwin are embracing the label.  

On Sept. 24, the Aussie group officially reemerged with its first new music since 2022’s 5SOS5. Whispers of a return began the day before when the band’s Instagram was wiped clean, save for a carousel of images that began with “5SOS are breaking up?? Click here for proof.”  

Equipped with a new look that lands somewhere between goth-punk and ‘90s boyband extravagance, 5 Seconds of Summer ignited its new album cycle with the release of “Not Ok,” an arena-ready track that puts instrumental showmanship and rockstar bravado front and center. The lead single gives a taste of what’s to come on the rest of the album, Everyone’s a Star!, out on Nov. 14 through Republic Records.  

Credit: Andy DeLuca

With its well-honed boyband powers, 5SOS ignited the fan bat signal and announced a free show in West Hollywood just a few hours before showtime. First come, first served, No RSVP. The girls (and some guys) came running, looping Olive Drive and down Sunset Boulevard with the hopes of being one of the lucky crowd members.  

Credit: Andy DeLuca

Just after 6 p.m., a baby pink limo rolled onto The Sun Rose West Hollywood’s checkered piazza, which had been transformed from valet zone to pop-up concert, complete with a circular hot pink stage emblazoned with a black star. All fans in attendance wore t-shirts (also hot pink and black) that proclaimed “Your Favorite Boy Band.”  

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Credit: Andy DeLuca

Hemmings, Clifford, Hood and Irwin hopped out of the limo to stand on top of the stretched vehicle for a moment of glory, taking in the screams and applause before hitting the stage for the live debut of “Not Ok.” Performing through technical issues, the band showed their ever-present sense of humor and encouraged the crowd to chant “Refund! Refund! Refund!” Past the blip, 5SOS powered through “Teeth” from 2020’s Calm to the palpable excitement of fans — Hemmings hardly had to sing the chorus. 

Credit: Andy DeLuca

Much of the concert was dedicated to previewing the new album with more than half of the set dedicated to Everyone’s a Star! Closing with a redo of “Not Ok,” 5SOS also debuted the title track, “Boyband,” “Telephone Busy,” and “No. 1 Obsession.” But as any good boyband knows to do, the group played two other longtime favorites: pop punk breakthrough “She Looks So Perfect” and the infectious “Youngblood.”  

Credit: Andy DeLuca

Credit: Andy DeLuca

Credit: Andy DeLuca

After taking a group bow, 5SOS piled back into the limo for an especially stylish exit. Peeling out of The Sun Rose West Hollywood driveway, the vehicle moved out slowly, careful while driving past the dedicated fans that stayed for the concert on the sidewalk, even if only to listen.  

Credit: Andy DeLuca