“This era is glam like rock and roll. It’s the eyeliner, the glitter, the eye shadow, the sparkles, the stars - it’s incredible” - 5SOS, EAS Tour - Cardiff Show Review - By The Fans Magazine

Words & Review: Grace Wearn

Photography Credit: Brian Ziff, Lucy Cheyne

From an outsiders view, if you’ve heard of the band ”5 Seconds of Summer”; the general perception is “the band with the underwear song” , but that couldn’t be further away from the truth.

The band have been labelled as a boyband for as long as I’ve been a fan, from specific news outlets, individuals outside of the fan community and live music lovers; who’ve either caught their show or seen the band support another band or artist.

Their latest album very much played on the ownership of the Boyband label, regardless of how that it isn’t the truth - as an artist you can go against the grain to prove yourself, but unfortunately there will always be a minority that believe that perception, and it will reluctantly stick one way or another.

I’ve been fortunate to catch a fair few runs of the 5SOS shows over the years, ever since I was a teenager to now, being in my late twenties. Every tour outdo’s itself, but the Everyone’s A Star Tour has completely exceeded every expectation I had - and honestly the tour is in a complete league of its own. Through the absolute chaos of the set, there is such strength from the fan community around you, albeit alongside warmth and kindness ~ for that one night, you feel as though you belong; regardless of if you are lifelong fan or a newbie.

Real bands save fans, real fans save bands.

The band have almost a hand-picked approach to their incredibly talented supports, perhaps a nod to their earlier days supporting One Direction. Every tour I’ve come away a fan of their supports, and it’s consistently projected raw talent from the supports warming up the crowd prior to 5SOS taking the stage.

First up was Haiden Henderson, joined by his incredibly talented Guitarist - Bella Perron, and equally as talented Drummer - Grant Whitson. Throughout his set was just a complete aura of captivating yet magnetic energy - combining newer releases with fan favourites, but also teasing a snippet of a newer unreleased song “freak for you”. Haiden and his band were all honestly a dream to watch play their set, it was magic - combined energy, incredible talent but also that kind of seductive vibe to the pop rock and roll scene, it works. I would like to add also the vibes from his guitarist - Bella, an absolute powerhouse. Not only did she shred on the guitar, but her bold outfits had as much personality as her, nothing short of, electrifying; performance. Haiden’s Drummer - Grant, keeping tempo whilst Haiden also hit the cymbals during his set, a clear example of a masterclass in multi-tasking, raw talent.

Photography credit to retrospective owner.

He also mentioned that 5SOS were the reason he learned how to play guitar, which must’ve been an honour to be asked to play alongside them and such a full circle moment additionally.1

We were also fortunate enough to bump into Haiden around the venue, and he was truly nothing but a kind and genuine musician.

Next up were South Arcade, a self-proclaimed Y2K core band - inspired by the likes of Avril Lavigne and Limp Bizkit; from Oxford. Which I definitely can see those incredible influences intertwined similarities into South Arcade’s gritty, raw yet captivating discography. Their lead singer; Harmony brings such a raw and emotional sense to the set, which I think brings that extra intimacy between artists/ bands and fans. Whilst the set thrived on raw, powerful energy, it was the female lead’s magical vocal control that really anchored it, cutting clean through the frenzy around her. When we say frenzy.. we mean the band literally giving the crowds bags of mini-eggs as it was Easter Sunday, which by the way - we’re absolutely on board with. And yes, mini-eggs are a top tier Easter egg. 

Photography credit to retrospective owner.

“HOW 2 GET AWAY WITH MURDER” and “Supermodels” were two of my personal favourites from their set, and additionally they also have a new song - “Superman” (released on 10th April), that they also teased at the show through a performance.

Then came 5SOS, and what an incredible entrance with them in a pink limousine on the screens in the venue, for their first song “NOT OK”.  Each show has a personalised slide on their PowerPoint presentation on the screens in the venue (and yes it is quite difficult to explain this if you haven’t been to a show), which essentially shows how them, themselves, are connecting with local culture but also representation for each city they perform in. For this date (Cardiff Arena), they had Tom Jones photo displayed as part of this - whom is still such an iconic Welsh musician, at 85 years young.

Photography credit; Lucy Cheyne

As well as the raw, powerhouse of emotion that 5SOS always intertwine into their vocals and instruments through playing and writing their songs - this era is glam like rock and roll. It’s the eyeliner, the glitter, the eye shadow, the sparkles, the stars - it’s incredible, not even just from the band.

Shot from the crowd on a prior show, on iPhone by me-, Grace Wearn.

The fans went all out too, I saw stick on gems, star themed outfits, leather, glitter, blacked out sunnies and lots of eyeliner. They played a variety of both classic fan-favourites to songs off their newest album “Everyone’s A Star!”.  We adore the fact that fans are more-so involved this tour, especially through the “boyband” award prior to “Everyone’s A Star!” around the encore period, incredible.

Photography credit: Brian Ziff

Overall, their whole set? - fiercely unrestrained. It drowned in chaos, yet somehow still tightly held onto that almost vulnerable emotional core through songs specifically like “Ghost of You” and “Amnesia”.

EVERYONE’S A STAR!, after all.