5 Seconds Of Summer — Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, NC — September 3, 2023

8 years ago in a random class room on a normal school day, my ears were introduced to a sound I was unfamiliar with– an alternative-pop-punk-rock anthem titled, “She Looks So Perfect” by a band of boys that just popped up on the scene. 8 years later, having taken the world by storm and establishing themselves as one of the most prominent bands of the new generation– 5 Seconds of Summer, also known as 5SOS, are an extremely talented, well known and esteemed group from Sydney, New South Wales that consists of Luke Hemmings (lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist), Michael Clifford (lead guitarist), Calum Hood (bassist), and Ashton Irwin (drummer).

Having made their way to Raleigh, North Carolina, 5SOS played to a crowd of over 6,000 beautiful and generous fans; and I was lucky enough to be one of them. Smiling ear to ear, I was fulfilling a childhood dream of mine. The Lights dimmed, the giant red curtain dropped, and fog began covering the stage. Silhouettes of 4 star studded Sydney musicians appeared and the entire amphitheater roared, screamed, barked (yes, there was barking) as the boys took their places and started out the night with “Bad Omens” from their latest album, 5SOS5. More hits from the acclaimed album like “CAROUSEL”, “BLENDER” and “Best Friends” were also performed and were all crowd pleasers. Hearing the songs live is just like hearing them when played at home or in your car, the same ambience, stunning vocals, and energy was transmitted from the stage to the crowd and went through all of our bodies that night.

“Teeth”, my favorite song from their 4th studio album CALM was on the setlist, it’s a show-stopper and adrenaline infused record that gets you pumped and heated no matter what kind of mood you’re in. “Jet Black Heart” from the Sounds Good Feels Good LP, was one of my favorite performances of the night. From Michael getting the crowd to be as loud as they could be, to the seamless translation of Calum’s smooth and heartfelt vocals was pure serotonin. Closing out the night with their number one hits “She Looks So Perfect” and “Youngblood”– the show was sublime. The sense of nostalgia and genuine love the band gives off is the perfect recipe for an outstanding world tour, leaving fans with an experience they’ll never forget, memories they’ve made with their best friends that’ll live on forever, and a bond bound by the love of music made from their favorite australian band. 5 Seconds of Summer paved ways for new sounds, broke genre barriers, and united a fan base that feels more like a family.

Words & Photography: Isaiah Pate