Show Review: 5 Seconds of Summer Brings the “Meet You There” Tour to NJ

Our reporter Kristine just went to her first-ever 5SOS show!

We’re saying it: summer’s not over until you see a 5 Seconds of Summer show. Longtime devoted fans, brand new supporters, and a handful of fans-to-be gathered in Holmdel, New Jersey last night to take in the latest stop on 5SOS’s “Meet You There” tour.

I personally have been following the band for several years now, and I can’t even *pick* just one favorite song off of their three incredible studio albums — which I always have on constant rotation. But this show was my first time ever seeing the guys perform live, and it was an unbelievable experience.

Luke Hemmings, Ashton Irwin, Calum Hood, and Michael Clifford took turns giving each other the spotlight over the course of their set. The guys traded out instruments and took turns showing off their vocal abilities, proving time and again how multi-talented they each are.

Audiences even got the chance to hear which new songs off “Youngblood” are the guys’ personal favorites: for example, Luke sat down at the piano to perfom “Lie To Me,” and let the fans help him sing!

In between performances of hot new “Youngblood” tracks like “Want You Back,” and “If Walls Could Talk,” the guys dipped into older favorites, like “Amnesia” and “She Looks So Perfect,” — dedicated to their longtime followers.

You can’t talk about 5 Seconds of Summer without mentioning the amazing 5SOS fans, who always go above and beyond to show their support for the guys. One of my favorite things to do during concerts is take a look back at the crowd to see what the band onstage is seeing as they perform.

In last night’s case, the guys were met with colorful sparkling lights (thanks to paper hearts attached to cell phone flashlights), supportive signs, and printed out lyrics and messages. 

All of these efforts were, of course, organized by devoted fans who brought the community together AND gave the band a little show of their own as they entertained us.

Just for fun, one of my personal favorite fan moments of the evening was when Michael spotted a fan holding up a rubber chicken, and asked her to throw it up to the stage.

Iconic, isn’t it? Also, to celebrate the release of their brand new music video for “Valentine,” the crew even set loose corny heart balloons and giant inflatable kissy lips.

The guys encouraged the entire crowd to be “as cheesy as possible” in creating a “Happy VALENTINE Day” promo video together.

It was adorably, preciously, sugary sweet. And it just proves how close-knit the 5SOS fam really is when they come together!

I can’t wait to see 5 Seconds of Summer perform again live the next time they return to my area. Because you know after a night like this, I’ll definitely be back for an encore!

Written by Kristine Hope Kowalski