The last time 5 Seconds to Summer visited Charlotte, they were on top of the world. Almost two years to date, the four-piece outfit - Ashton Irwin, Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings and Michael Clifford - had sold out the PNC Music Pavilion on a headlining run with over 14,000 screaming fans and two breakout studio albums to their name. This time around, the band downscaled a bit, initially plotting a show at the Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre before rerouting back to the PNC Music Pavilion due to Hurricane Florence. Other than that, little changed, except 5 Seconds of Summer now has another album to show off and a few more screaming fans.
The guys hit the stage with Youngblood, one of the 16 new tracks the band released with their third studio release Youngblood. What features as a closer on the album doubles as the perfect opening pitch. The entrance was dramatic. After building anticipation for a good 30 seconds, 5 Seconds of Summer sneaked out from behind the mirrored, reflecting backdrop before stepping down an LED lined staircase to three bright white spotlights. Frontman Luke Hemmings jumped out on the centered riser, something he did often throughout the night to a loud cheer.
The majority of the setlist featured songs from the band’s 2018 release, yet each song connected with fans as if they’d been in rotation for years. 5 Seconds of Summer has a knack for creating music that can bring a crowd alive with excitement, and they’re much more than just another “boy band.” While the majority of the audience that danced the night away under the pavilion overhang were teenage girls, a few adults (which easily could’ve been parents) moved along to the beat in the pit as well - proving that the music could and is enjoyed by a broad audience.
Considering 5 Seconds of Summer’s initial show date was postponed due to the hurricane that hit the Carolinas a week earlier, the band paused the show midway through the set to announce that they were donating merchandise proceeds to rebuilding effort on the coast. The message resonated with the audience, who formed long lines behind both merch stands on each side of the venue. But of course, not before 5 Seconds of Summer showcased the two songs the entire venue had been waiting for.
It’s the only reason everyone in attendance knew the show wasn’t over when the four left the stage. They gave the crowd almost a solid minute to themselves, before the shadows peered out from backstage to the tune off “She Looks So Good.” Clifford raced down the side of the stage to rouse the audience, as if they weren’t jumping up and down already. The crowd clapped in tune to the smash hit before everyone’s singing voices came alive one last time for “Youngblood.” Overall, fan or not a fan, 5 Seconds of Summer is just one of those bands that are entertaining and enjoyable to watch at the least. The bright production, the catchy tunes, the animated fanbase - it’s exactly what you’d hope to see at any concert.
