Just like the New Kids On The Block craze and Spice Girls mania, the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre in Toronto was ready for the next wave of “eleventeens” to start. The next movement of preteen fans became paramount with 5 Seconds of Summer on Tuesday night. The massive lineups started at 9am in the morning. Even though the doors didn’t open until 6:30pm, the fans were there. At $40 for a poster or $45 for a t-shirt, I hope these younglings brought some cash or their parents credit cards.
I saw hundreds of parents tell their kids, as they quickly dropped them off, “meet us here” or our meeting spot is there as they ran away to find the closest bar to the Amphitheatre.
The first band to hit the stage was Hey Violet. Not totally knowing what they were all about, I was ready for an experience. To my surprise, it was all female group, except for the guitar player. They held the audience’s attention from the second the went on stage. Which honestly, for some acts that is hard to do because, well, we all know a lot of the people are here to see the headliner. I have to give them props for holding their own. I can see 5SOS picked them up for this tour. They compliment each other perfectly. Hey Violet mentioned that they had been here for a day already and went to check out Niagara Falls. And what a place to check out! Lead singer Miranda Miller also pronounced her love Toronto as they didn’t want to leave. They had a sing along with the song “Campfire” and the audience participated as much as they could without knowing the lyrics. They were all full of energy and bouncing around on stage. Someone mentioned to me that Hey Violet reminded them of the band in the movie “Freaky Friday” and I have to agree.
Now for the main act. This is what tens of thousands of screaming fans were waiting for all night, 5 Seconds of Summer. The sold out crowd at the Molson Amphitheatre of 16,000 completely lost it when they burst out on stage. I swear if this place had walls they would have blown them out from the vibrations of their screams. I am pretty sure people in Whitby, ON and beyond heard them.
Interesting note. Just before 5 Seconds of Summer came on stage they had an intro which consisted of the song “Final Countdown”. I can pretty much guess that 99% of the audience wasn’t born when this song came out. But when this song played through the PA system, the crowd knew all the lyrics and sang them at the top of their lungs.
I am not sure who was louder the crowd or the sound system. I am pretty certain the sound guys had a hard time staying above the crowds screams, especially during “Long Way Home”. I am at a loss for words on this one. Beginning, during and after each song this audience full of Tweens were screaming I am pretty sure none of them will have a voice tomorrow morning.
5SOS brought a very enthusiastic young lady Adreanna up on stage during “Rejects” and asked her to hold the guitar. They strapped it on her as she stood there a little frozen. She attempted to play, not very well mind you but kudos to her for trying too.
I will admit that this is not my type of band (I am older than 99% of the people in this venue). But I am pleased to see that they are actually showing young fans that they actually play their instruments and do very well at that. Maybe one or two young Torontonians from this show will be inspired to pick up a guitar or even a drum set. Much to the parent’s dismay on the budding drummer in the audience.
When Calum Hood started to sing “Wish I Could Wake Up With Amnesia”, the audience actually took over. He stopped singing completely and let this crowd sing it and the band only joined them in in the chorus.
About halfway through the 90 minute show, they performed their song “Beside You”. And just about every audience member held up 8.5×11 pieces of paper which stated So Close But So Far Away. I found out that the band requested their fans via Twitter, for everyone at the show to print it off and hold it up during this song. Needless to say, quite a few fans had giant signs as well. One of which said “rock out with your balls out” and of course, it was showcased on the giant LED screens for all to see. I laughed at this one a bit.
I found it a bit ironic that 5SOS covered “American Idiot” by Green Day. Because 5 Seconds of Summer to me, are reminiscent of Green Day. That was one of the first things I thought when I saw them, just a younger version.
5SOS are all very adorable young men and I can see why these young women have fallen in love with them. Singing about love, falling in love and wanting love, what’s not to love? I hope everyone at the performance got what they wanted from this show. They certainly showed it with their exuberant cheering. My ears will be ringing for a week after this one, not from the loud music, but from the screams of joy.
Big thanks to the crew because without them there is no show!
Thanks to Live Nation Ontario for media access.
