5 Seconds of Summer grand and self-aware in Copenhagen
A few months after the release of their sixth studio album “Everyone’s a Star!”, 5 Seconds of Summer brought their eponymous world tour to Copenhagen. At the Royal Arena on Sunday evening, it quickly became clear that this would not be a standard pop-rock show, but a carefully constructed, almost theatrical total experience.
The show kicked off with “Not Ok”, followed by “No. 1 Obsession” and the major hit “Teeth”. From the very first three songs, the energy was immediately there. The band played tightly, the audience responded loudly, and everything instantly felt ‘on’. This momentum was then briefly interrupted by a video in which the band presented themselves as a kind of overarching boy band in their own universe.
What followed was a show structured in chapters: The Peak, The Fall, The Yearning, The Breakup, The Rise, and The Beginning. In between, there was extensive use of videos and playful interludes. For example, a PowerPoint appeared about ‘What a good rock concert looks like’, complete with internet humour, a recurring skinny jeans meme and even a Minions reference. It gave the show a self-aware, almost ironic layer.
The band itself leaned into this as well. They joked about their ‘Boyband of the Year’ status, their years of nominations and their first win of that title in 2026, and even drew a comparison with The Beatles. It created a light dynamic, although it sometimes also slowed down the pace of the set.
Musically, however, the show was very strong, with a mix of new tracks and older favourites. Highlights in Copenhagen included the hits “Easier”, “Ghost of You”, “Amnesia”, “She Looks So Perfect” and “Youngblood”. Solo moments from the band members also had their place, giving the show extra breadth.
What stood out in Copenhagen was the attendance. The floor did not appear to be filled, while the seated areas were better occupied. Nevertheless, this did little to affect the atmosphere. The audience sang along loudly and at times even carried the show entirely on their own.
The evening ended with “Everyone’s a Star!” and “Youngblood”, in a finale of confetti and mass sing-along moments. With this, 5 Seconds of Summer delivered a show that is grand, playful and self-aware, although at times it could have done with slightly less talking and a bit more pure flow.
Photos (c) Doris van Weert
