They were once icons of teen pop but on their return to Liverpool, 5 Seconds of Summer proved they are a timeless band here to stay.
5SOS made their name in 2013 while touring with One Direction on their Take Me Home Tour. Catapulted into international fame, they became teenage heartthrobs instantly.
However, as many other groups have discovered, a quick rise to stardom can often come with an expiration date. Fortunately, after several years of curating a new, more mature identity, 5SOS has carved out its own unique presence in the cutthroat industry.
READ MORE: 70 best pictures and outfits from all three days at the Grand National
At the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, the four-piece, comprising Michael Clifford, Luke Hemmings, Calum Hood and Ashton Irwin, had the audience on their feet as they performed an impressive 26-song set.
It's a smart setlist composition, considering their crowd is so diverse. Last night, there were parents chaperoning their children, groups of teenagers and 20-somethings looking for a hit of nostalgia.
But this hurdle was easily overcome as their set consisted of a myriad of genres that every age could enjoy. Their latest songs from the album Calm, introduced a new style of industrial rock combined with new wave. Teeth, Wildflower and No Shame were well received by the crowd. And of course, their renowned 2014 hit 'She Looks So Perfect' proved particularly popular.
5SOS support act COIN were also a credit to them. Their songs 'Talk Too Much' and 'Brad Pitt' were the perfect introduction for a night of pop-rock and their stage presence was electrifying.
Away from the music, Michael, Luke, Calum and Ashton all re-iterated their gratitude to be back on stage following the coronavirus pandemic. Their tour was originally scheduled to begin in May 2020, this was then postponed to 2021, before again being rescheduled for 2022.
Each member individually spoke to the crowd for a few minutes in between songs. It was a nice touch and a reminder of how great it is to have live music back.
