LIVE REVIEW: 5 Seconds Of Summer – Co-Op Live, Manchester – 04/04/2026

In celebration of their latest album Everyone’s A Star!, 5 Seconds Of Summer arrive at Manchester’s Co-Op Live with something sharper than nostalgia driving them forward. This isn’t a band coasting on past eras; it’s one actively reshaping its identity in real time, leaning into self-aware pop maximalism while still gripping tightly to the anthemic core that built them. Framed by a carefully curated support bill—the sleek, rising pop energy of Haiden Henderson and the punchy, neon-tinged alt-rock of South Arcade—the night is positioned as more than a tour stop. It’s a statement of intent: bigger, bolder, and unapologetically theatrical.

From the moment Haiden Henderson steps out, there’s a noticeable shift, the kind that turns early arrivals into a fully engaged crowd within minutes. His stage presence is immediate and magnetic, equal parts charisma and chaos, delivered with a knowing grin that never tips into overconfidence. The songs themselves are undeniably catchy, built for big rooms like this, but it’s his delivery that sells them: loose, playful, and completely in control. A surprise cover of Poker Face by Lady Gaga sparks the night’s first proper singalong, the crowd locking in far earlier than expected. Between tracks, Henderson keeps the momentum going with sharp, self-aware humour, including a running joke about his resemblance to Pete Davidson that lands exactly as intended. By the time he leaves the stage, there’s a sense that this isn’t just an opener finding his feet, it’s an artist already built for stages this size, and growing into them fast.

Watching South Arcade step onto a stage this size feels surreal and, honestly, a little emotional. Having followed them through cramped headline sets and early support slots in rooms where you could practically reach out and touch the stage, seeing them command an arena like this carries a quiet weight. That “this is my silly little band” feeling hits hard. But if there are nerves, they don’t show it. From the jump, they’re completely in their element, all effortless crowd work, sharp charisma, and a setlist that leans fully into their 2000s-tinged sound. It’s high energy, hook-heavy, and built for moments, none more striking than during Blood Run Warm, where the entire arena lifts their lights in unison, turning the space into something genuinely beautiful. 

That said, there’s a slight disconnect for longtime fans. The setlist noticeably sidesteps much of their older material, favouring the punchier, more viral tracks that have fuelled their recent rise online. It’s a smart move for a crowd this size and it works but it does leave a lingering sense of something missing for those who’ve been there from the start. Still, it’s hard to argue with the impact. The energy is undeniable, the crowd is locked in, and the band look every bit like they belong here. Any reservations aside, this is a defining moment and one they absolutely rise to.

When 5 Seconds Of Summer finally take the stage, it’s framed as something bigger than a standard headline set: part concert, part tongue-in-cheek documentary on their own evolution into one of the world’s biggest boybands. It’s theatrical, self-aware, and laced with the kind of nostalgia that feels both earned and knowingly over-the-top. But the opening moments don’t go entirely to plan. Technical issues stall the momentum almost immediately, with frontman Luke Hemmings visibly frustrated as the band try to reset. It’s a rare crack in the polish but one that makes what follows even more powerful. Because when the Manchester crowd step in, loudly singing back No. 1 Obsession unprompted, it shifts everything. The tension dissolves, spirits lift, and suddenly the night snaps into focus. It’s the kind of moment that defines a city’s crowd: loud, loyal, and ready to carry a show when it matters most.

From there, it’s a carefully curated journey through every era of the band. The setlist balances new material from Everyone’s A Star! with older fan favourites, making sure no corner of their audience is left behind. But it’s the in-between moments that give the show its personality, including a bizarrely brilliant “slideshow presentation” segment that leans fully into their humour, adding layers of self-referential lore that longtime fans latch onto instantly. It’s silly, yes, but that’s always been part of the appeal.

A standout stretch comes with “soloSOS”, where each member steps forward to showcase their individual work. Luke Hemmings delivers Starting Line, Ashton Irwin follows with Have U Found What Ur Looking For?, Calum Hood brings Don’t Forget You Love Me, and Michael Clifford rounds it out with Enough, each track hitting with surprising weight in an arena setting. It’s a reminder that while they function as a unit, their individual identities are just as compelling.

And just as quickly, they pivot back into full-band nostalgia, tearing into older cuts like English Love Affair and Voodoo Doll with the kind of energy that sends the crowd into overdrive. By the time they reach the encore, closing on Everyone’s A Star! and the ever-explosive Youngblood the night feels complete. Messy at points, yes, but ultimately held together by personality, connection, and a band that know exactly who they are and aren’t afraid to have fun proving it.

Taken as a whole, this wasn’t just another stop on a tour: it felt like a defining snapshot of where 5 Seconds Of Summer are right now. Flanked by two carefully chosen openers in Haiden Henderson and South Arcade, the night built from rising-star promise to full-blown arena spectacle, never losing its sense of personality along the way. There were hiccups, sure, but they only made the connection between band and crowd feel more real, especially in a city like Manchester, where the audience doesn’t just watch the show, they become part of it. Balancing nostalgia, humour and reinvention in equal measure, 5SOS prove they’re not just coasting on legacy, they’re actively reshaping it. And if Everyone’s A Star! is the statement, then this show is the proof: bigger, bolder, and still completely in on the joke.

Words by Ell Bradbury