On March 30th, 5 Seconds of Summer brought the Everyone Is a Star Tour to Glasgow’s OVO Hydro for the third show of the world tour, already proving early on that this run is set to be as theatrical as it is nostalgic.
Opening acts Haiden Henderson and South Arcade set the tone with high-energy sets, warming up a crowd that was already buzzing before the headliners even appeared, building anticipation rather than simply filling time.
Then came the entrance, arguably one of the most memorable of their tours so far. Instead of a standard walk-on, 5SOS emerged riding in on a limo, draped in Scottish flags and clutching bottles of Irn-Bru, instantly sending the Hydro into chaos. And in a detail that didn’t go unnoticed, Calum Hood stepped out wearing a kilt, fully committing to the bit and winning over Glasgow within seconds.
They launched straight into “NOT OK” and “No. 1 Obsession”, setting a relentless pace that barely let up. They continued with “Teeth”, “Easier” and “More”, balancing the band’s darker, polished pop-rock sound with arena-sized energy.
What stood out most throughout the night was how interactive the show felt. There were pre-recorded video interludes of the band acting out skits, giving the entire performance a loose, documentary-style storyline that tied the night together. Alongside this, the band used playful PowerPoint-style slides on the big screens to engage the audience. It added a layer of personality and cohesion that elevated the performance beyond a straightforward set. Additionally, Ashton Irwin (drummer) addressed the crowd in Scottish Gaelic, before reminiscing about spending Hogmanay in Edinburgh. It was a small gesture, but one that deepened the connection between band and audience in a way that felt sincere rather than rehearsed.
By the end of it, “Everyone’s a Star!” became one of the night’s defining moments. Cammy Barnes, joined the band playing a bagpipe, transforming the track into something uniquely Scottish. It was the kind of unexpected collaboration that could have felt gimmicky, but instead landed as a genuine highlight.
The setlist itself was a well-balanced retrospective and showcase of newer material. At one point, the band openly acknowledged what the crowd had been hinting at all night: that people really wanted to hear the old songs, and they might as well “give the public what they want”. What followed leaned into that promise, rewarding longtime fans with staples like “She’s Kinda Hot”, “Amnesia” and “Youngblood”, alongside newer tracks like “Evolve” and “Telephone Busy”. The transitions between eras felt seamless, reflecting a band that has grown without losing sight of what made them resonate in the first place.
By the time they reached the closing stretch, the Hydro had fully surrendered singing every word, feeding off the band’s energy and turning the arena into something closer to a communal celebration than a typical gig.
In a tour built on spectacle and sentiment, Glasgow might just be the night where 5 Seconds of Summer proved they can do both and still make it feel personal.
Photography by Cameron Brisbane:
