5 Seconds of Summer has been referred to a “boy band’, however, it’s really just a modern-rock/pop act — and a better one than most might think. Of course, I don’t have to sell this to the thousands of fans who turned out to see the Australian quartet — vocalist-guitarists Luke Hemmings and Michael Clifford, bassist-vocalist Calum Hood and drummer Ashton Irwin — at the Xcel Energy Center on Sunday night. Those loyal followers — mostly teen and preteen females — already know that these four young lads have plenty to offer musically.
As the lights dim, they opened with a few lines from “Carry On” before blasting the stage with their hit “Hey Everybody.” The band had everyone on their feet, clapping, and singing along!
Their complete setlist is as follows:
Carry On
Hey Everybody!
Money
Voodoo Doll
Disconnected
Long Way Home
Outer Space
Waste the Night
Vapor
Amnesia
Castaway
Jet Black Heart
End Up Here
Good Girls
Girls Talk Boys
Minnesota Song (Made up by the band)
Permanent Vacation
She’s Kinda Hot
She Looks So Perfect
The music was mainstream modern rock and radio-friendly pop, rarely amazing, but always solid. It felt familiar and safe, which is often a surefire recipe for success in today’s music business. I can honestly say that 5 Seconds of Summer sounds even better live than they do on their records. Their guitar and drum skills are truly impressive, and there were no vocal mistakes whatsoever – no voice cracks, no jumbled lyrics, nothing. These guys are the real deal. And it seemed that the rest of the audience agreed.
