GALLERY & REVIEW: 5 Seconds of Summer at Moody Center
AUSTIN, TX | MOODY CENTER | JUNE 21, 2026 | BY LAUREN STEPHENS
Earlier this year, Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer launched into their Everyone's a Star! headlining tour. Coming off the release of their sixth studio album last November, the four-piece embarked on a journey across the world for the first time since 2023.
On June 21st, the tour made its first Texas stop at Austin’s Moody Center. Outside the venue, a long circling line of attendees decked out in stars and glitter waited excitedly for the doors to open. The energy was high with anticipation, with many dedicated fans sporting previous tour merch and custom-made pieces. Once everyone filed in, the attention turned to opener, The Band Camino, to kick off the night. The Tennessee-grown pop rock group started their set with the energetic tunes “Baggy Jeans” and “What Am I Missing?” Much of the crowd joined in singing along and jumping as they raced through a dance-worthy setlist.
As 9 PM neared, an excited tension continued to grow in the air at Moody Center. Every seat nervously waited as time ticked by, the space filling with short, quiet moments following the end of every song on the pre-show playlist, and then fervent conversations being shared between friends. Shortly after 9, the beginning notes of another song overhead never came, the lights dropped, and screams erupted. On the screen appeared text saying, “ON JUNE 21, 2026 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER PERFORMED TO A MASSIVE CROWD ON THEIR EVERYONE’S A STAR! TOUR AT MOODY CENTER IN AUSTIN, TX.” The screams became louder, as the text changed again and again, telling the story of the band’s heroic return to the stage for “their final performance.” In a true boyband fashion, a grand entrance was made as the set kicked off with their fiery lead single “NOT OK”. Between each member dressed in their own respective, star-studded styles and strutting around the stage, to drummer Ashton Irwin playing from a limo, to star-shaped confetti blasting into the air, it was the perfect intro.
Throughout the band’s set, songs were divided into multiple acts: The Peak, The Fall, The Yearning, The Breakup, The Rise, and The Beginning. Between acts, fans followed the dramatized story of the band’s fame, downfall, and return through a series of pre-filmed comedic clips and on-stage skits. Honorable mentions include a “60 Minutes” style segment and a real-time win of the Boyband Of The Year Award. Aside from being a perfect structure for their many bits of entertainment, the acts served as a divider of the energy in groups of songs. As we entered The Yearning, heartstrings pulled in every direction between “Bad Omens,” “Ghost of You,” and “I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again.” During The Beginning, we teleported back in time with the early 2010s classic “English Love Affair” and “Voodoo Doll.” Despite the band’s on-screen “breakup,” fans were also thrilled to hear each member perform a song off their respective solo projects – a special treat and new addition from previous tours. This story of songs shone a light on the band’s true talent, as they all brought raw emotion, passion, and impressive technique to every note they played.
The Everyone’s A Star! Tour is a cinematic production, comedy show, and concert all in one, yet one of its most special and endearing qualities is its authenticity. At its core, the music is performed with every true emotion it encompasses, and felt by every person in the room. The jokes and theatrics mirror hanging out with that old friend you’ve known for years, who always tells the best stories and whose sense of humour brings you a familiar sense of ease and lightness. Somehow, the band manages to strike a difficult balance between entertaining theatrics and genuine, moving live music that fills the soul.
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