5 Seconds of Summer Brings Celebratory Vibe to Acrisure Amphitheater: Review, Photos

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By Abby Brouwer

Fifteen years after forming, 5 Seconds of Summer unfurled a performance at Grand Rapids’ Acrisure Amphitheater on Wednesday that felt less like a standard concert and more like a celebration of every chapter of its career.

Blending nostalgia, humor and arena-rock energy, the Australian quartet reflected on its journey from one of the biggest boy bands of the 2010s to the confident rock band it is today.

A pink limousine served as the centerpiece of the stage, complete with Ashton Irwin’s drum kit mounted on the hood. It was a fitting focal point for a show built around storytelling and spectacle.

“We sing, we dance, we have a good time,” the members told the crowd while welcoming both longtime fans and first-time attendees. It turned out to be the perfect summary of the night.

Unlike a typical greatest-hits concert, the “EVERYONE IS A STAR!” world tour is divided into six acts — The Peak, The Fall, The Yearning, The Breakup, The Rise and The Beginning. Rather than simply breaking up the set list, each act represents a different stage of the band’s real-life journey.

Carreer-Spanning Set: 5 Seconds of Summer (Photo/Adam Briggs)

Entertaining videos and comedic skits connected each chapter, while the band repeatedly poked fun at its early image as a boy band. Instead of trying to distance themselves from that label, Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood and Ashton Irwin embraced it, showing just how comfortable they have become with every part of their story.

The band’s musical evolution was just as clear. Heavy guitars and explosive drums gave much of the night a harder rock edge than many casual listeners might expect. Songs like “Teeth,” “Easier” and “She’s Kinda Hot” highlighted how much their sound has grown over the years, while longtime favorites fit naturally alongside newer material.

One of the evening’s most memorable moments came during Act IV, “The Breakup.” The section looked back on a time when each member released solo music, with each performing one of their own songs before gradually coming back together. Rather than feeling like four separate performances, the segment showed how those individual experiences ultimately strengthened the band and made their reunion feel even more meaningful.

The emotional high point came during “Ghost of You,” as thousands of phone flashlights lit up the arena while the audience sang nearly every word. Later, the fan-selected secret song, “Heartbreak Girl,” delighted longtime fans, with the crowd enthusiastically taking over after Michael Clifford laughed off briefly forgetting part of the lyrics.

The final act celebrated the band’s early years with fan favorites including “English Love Affair,” “Voodoo Doll,” “Don’t Stop” and “Jet Black Heart” before closing with “She Looks So Perfect.”

As giant inflatable balls decorated with stars bounced around the arena, the crowd became part of the performance. Stars appeared not only throughout the stage production but also on countless fan outfits, tying into the tour’s “EVERYONE IS A STAR!” theme.

It was clear on Wednesday that many fans had grown up alongside 5 Seconds of Summer, returning to celebrate the songs that defined those years while embracing everything the group has become since — proving the best moments may still be ahead.

NOTE: 5 Seconds of Summer returns to Michigan on Aug. 6 to play Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston. Details, tickets here.

PHOTO GALLERY: 5 Seconds of Summer, The Band Camino, Haiden Henderson
Acrisure Amphitheater, Grand Rapids (Wednesday)
Photos by Adam Briggs