5 Seconds of Summer – TLA – Philadelphia, PA – April 9, 2018 (A PopEntertainment.com Concert Review)

Updated: Jun 27, 2022

5 Seconds of Summer – TLA – Philadelphia, PA – April 9, 2018

The world first saw 5 Seconds of Summer back in 2013, when they hit the road with One Direction on their Take Me Home Tour. Since then, the band has released two studio albums and headlined multiple tours, playing sold out venues all over the world. The band took a bit of a break to work on their third studio album following the release of their second album Sounds Good Feels Good, meaning the fans have been without new 5SOS music for a little over two years. Luckily, they do not have to wait any longer.

Fans have patiently awaited the return of 5 Seconds of Summer and now it’s finally here. Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings, Ashton Irwin and Michael Clifford announced their return with their latest single “Want You Back,” which came out in February of this year. After the single dropped they announced their 5SOS III tour with sold out shows in Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia.

On Monday, April 9th the guys hit the stage at the Theater of Living Arts in Philadelphia for a small club show, to warm up for the big tour. Fans lined up hours before wrapping around the block, in hopes of getting close to the band. From wall to wall the venue was packed with excited fans.

With no opening act, the fans were entertained by music blasting through the speakers as they awaited the band that they had all come to see. At around 8:45 the guys hit the stage and the infamous crowd push took place. The whole crowd moved forward, getting even more squished than they already were, to try and get as far up front as possible.

Opening the show with their debut single, “She Looks So Perfect,” which came out back in 2014, the fans were singing their hearts out and having the time of their lives. The band played some of their older songs, including “Amnesia” and “Disconnected,” as well as some of their more recent stuff that came out before they went on break like “She’s Kinda Hot” and “Jet Black Heart.”

Earlier that day 5SOS announced the release of their third studio album YoungBlood which is set to be out on June 22nd. A lot of the setlist consisted of songs that will be released on this upcoming album. The fans, who had most likely watched videos of them performing these songs across Europe, memorized the words and sang along as loud as they could. Some of the newer songs were titled, “Waste the Night,” “Lie to Me,” “Valentine,” “YoungBlood” (the title track of the upcoming album) and a few others.

The new material takes the band in different direction. As they’ve grown as men and as artists, so has their sound. About an hour later, the night came to a close. The last song was – of course – “Want You Back.” When the song ended, the four of them gathered at the front of the stage. Some of the guys threw their guitar picks in the crowd for some lucky fans to take home with them. They came together and took a bow, to close the night filled with good music, as fans were finally reunited with their favorite band.

The guys of 5SOS will be back on the road following the release of their next album for the “Meet You There” Tour, beginning in August! As said before, their third studio album YoungBlood will be released on June 22, 2018. Be sure to check them out!

Ruth Bekele