5 Seconds of Summer

There's been much speculation, especially online, among fans of 5 Seconds Of Summer about the origins of the Australian band's name. In interviews, the members offer various explanations. However, the story guitarist Michael Clifford once told probably comes closest to the truth: the words spontaneously came to him while he was lying in bed watching a TV series, eating a bag of chocolate. Since his band needed a name at that moment, he gratefully took advantage of this inspiration and registered it on Facebook. He only informed his colleagues afterward. Because no one thinks the young band will last long, everyone accepts it.

Things turned out quite differently. In 2011, 5SOS, as the band name is often shortened, performed for the first time. The band consisted of singer-guitarist Luke Hemmings, guitarist Michael Clifford, bassist Calum Hood, and drummer Ashton Irwin. Things quickly got rolling. The band managed to reach a large audience through YouTube and other media. The exciting performances did the rest. Their worldwide breakthrough came in 2014 with the single "She Looks So Perfect" – a number one hit in the UK, among other places. That same year, 5SOS accompanied the boy band One Direction on their "Where We Are" world tour. Their self-titled debut album was also released in 2014. These were no flukes, as evidenced by the release of their second album, "Sounds Good Feels Good," in 2015, featuring the hit "She's Kinda Hot."

Although the band toured with One Direction again that year, 5SOS demonstrated, especially on their second album, that they were much more than just a boy band. The band convincingly delivered a spirited mix of pop, rock, new wave, and punk. However, things seemed to have moved a bit too quickly, and at the end of 2016, 5SOS took a nearly two-year hiatus to recharge. With the hit "Want You Back" and the album "Youngblood," they effortlessly picked up where they left off in 2018. The album was followed by the equally successful "Calm" (2020) and "5SOS5" (2022). On the eve of the release of the latter, 5SOS performed at London's posh Royal Albert Hall, accompanied by a choir and orchestra. An impressive performance that demonstrated 5SOS's continued creative development throughout the years.