By: Robert Cavuoto
Michael Clifford and Luke Hemmings of 5SOS
5 Seconds of Summer, or as diehard fans call them, 5SOS, blew the lid off of Camden, New Jersey’s Susquehanna Bank Center on Labor Day Friday. There was no better way to kick-off the holiday weekend than with a blockbuster party hosted by 5SOS!
Fans who purchased tickets a year in advance for the Rock Out With Your Socks Out Tour claimed their early prized seats.
You could feel the tension mounting in the audience, as the countdown clock ticked away the seconds on the large video screen above the stage.
Finally, at 8:30 p.m. sharp 14,000 screaming fans got their wish, a nearly two- hour, 20-song concert with their heroes Luke Hemmings [guitar/ vocals], Michael Clifford [guitar/ vocals], Calum Hood [bass/vocals] and high above the stage, Ashton Irwin [drums/vocals].
At the onset of the show, Michael Clifford commented from stage that it took four years to get there, but they finally made it to Camden! I guess the band felt the same way as their fans!
With only one CD released and a new one; Sounds Good Feels Good, due out October 23, 5SOS combined a set list that included fan favorites like, “End up Here” “Voodoo Doll,” “Don’t Stop,” “Kiss Me, Kiss Me”, as well as some soon to be released tracks like; “Jet Black Heart,” “Permanent Vacation,” and “She’s Kinda Hot.”
The guys traded off on vocals for nearly every song and each had their time in the spotlight.
Luke Hemmings, a dynamic frontman, stood center stage and handled the majority of the vocal duties, while Michael Clifford and Calum Hood opened the songs and handled the choruses.
Calum Hood
There was also no shortage of energy or on-stage camaraderie, as they joked with the fans and busted each other’s chops. With a median age of 20, these guys rocked like seasoned professionals. Their songs truly speak volumes to their fans with lyrics filled with teenage angst and heartache.
They’re well crafted tunes with catchy guitar hooks and laced with an innate sense of melody. This perfect combination drove the predominantly female teenage audience into a frenzy.
The band didn’t have pyro or elaborate stage production compared by today’s standards of most concerts, but 5SOS fans didn’t care – their focus was on the four musicians cranking out a cool performance, letting their talents and their songs feed the hungry crowd.
Official Video [Not concert reviewed]
Throughout the night the driving force behind the band was drummer, Ashton Irwin, his thunderous drumming was relentless and would rival world-class heavy metal drummer.
Tirelessly, he drove the show from song to song and even played during the member’s rants with the audience.
The band also performed two cover songs; Green Day’s “American Idiot” and then closed the show with The Romantic’s “What I Like about You.”
On the unofficial close of summer where “Back to School” is the most popular phrase; 5SOS gave their fans a huge Labor Day sent off.
GALLERY
