When it comes to touring and booking venues, there are a handful of things artists take into consideration: maximum occupancy, sound quality, security, special effects—but I can assure you that nothing could have prepared Luke, Michael, Ashton, and Calum for their June 13th performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Train delays and shutdowns, ticket limitations, street closures, and a battalion of police officers lined up like dominoes surrounding the venue were the conditions we encountered upon arriving at the core of the Big Apple. But it wasn’t because of all the soccer fans arguing with security, trying to find a way to get to their local bars without having to walk all the way down to 29th Avenue under the scolding summer sun to watch the FIFA World Cup game, or the hundreds of thousands of resentful Knicks fans hoping to catch the game at the usual MSG watch party—which had been canceled. This whole turmoil was, obviously, because, like me, seventeen thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine fans were waiting in line to see the biggest boy band in the world.
PHOTO: JESSIE ESHAK
Entitled, bratty, and demanding, 5 Seconds of Summer strutted down 8th Ave and into the Madison Square Garden music shop, where they greeted fans and signed foreheads under the flashes of hundreds of cameras. Wreaking havoc, just like 5SOS knows how to, they unleashed a swarm of fans who pushed and kicked their way to the front of the line just to catch a glimpse of the four boys behind the crystal windows of the store.
Stars, glitter, and leather were the themes of the night. After all, the band has always been known for their agitated rockstar lifestyle, so it was no surprise to see fans turn up in replicas of their most famous looks. Funnily enough, this was addressed by the band themselves during their pre-show press conference, where they talked about wardrobes and joked that they would trust fans to choose their outfits rather than the setlist. They touched on deeper topics like brotherhood and how being in a band was rooted in their friendship, as well as how excited they were to have their work and legacy considered nostalgic. Most importantly, they agreed that they were a good luck charm for the city and that they would definitely be responsible for a positive outcome in the basketball game taking place at the same time as their concert—but was obviously less important.
PHOTO: JESSIE ESHAK
The rest of the evening was full of surprises, from the stage setup and the iconic pink limousine parked in the middle of The Garden to the documentary-style clips that played throughout the concert. If there’s one thing about 5 Seconds of Summer, it’s that no matter how much attitude they have, they will always put on an incredible performance. Divided into six acts—the peak, the fall, the yearning, the breakup, the rise, and the beginning—they categorized the songs to match each theme, closing with the catchy “Everyone’s A Star!” and the world-famous “Youngblood.”
Their dynamic with the crowd during the two-hour set was impressive, bringing up old memories like their heavy Keek presence twelve years ago, incidents that have become inside jokes within the fandom, and more recent moments, including their solo careers. This included a sentimental performance from each member honoring their own projects. Their interaction with the audience also featured giant inflatable balls dropped from the ceiling, which were batted around the arena during their ringtone-famous hit “She Looks So Perfect,” as well as a surprise song chosen by one of the fans.
For their first sold-out night at MSG on this tour, they performed a cover of “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus for the first time in ten years—something so incredibly nostalgic that much of the venue put their phones away and simply jumped to the beat of the drums.
PHOTO: JESSIE ESHAK
To close their set, they were kind enough to humbly share part of their spotlight with the Knicks, who were in the middle of the 2026 NBA Finals against the infamous San Antonio Spurs. Projecting the game onto the big screen while they performed their encore and walked among the audience, we can confidently say that a big part of the game’s outcome should be attributed to the boy band and their generosity. Twenty minutes after the band said their goodbyes, it was official—the Knicks had won the championship. All thanks to 5 Seconds of Summer.
It’s funny, after fourteen years in the music industry, countless No. 1 hits, infinite scandals, and innumerable hiatuses, they still maintain the same enthusiasm when stepping onstage and greeting the people who have watched them grow, not only as artists but also on a more personal level. Every fan is so familiar with their lyrics, melodies, and even their personalities. Yet every time we find ourselves back in that pit for another one of their concerts, we somehow manage to enjoy the set as though it’s the first time we’ve heard these songs.
There is something so special about going back to 2011 and revisiting your No. 1 obsession, and what better way to do it than in the city that never sleeps.
Knicks in 5 (Seconds of Summer)!