5 Seconds of Summer’s “Everyone’s A Star World Tour” marked my fifth time seeing the band live and, somehow, it was still incredibly refreshing and felt like something new. My stop in Camden, New Jersey, at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion brought together three very different, but very cohesive, acts who each brought their own kind of energy to the stage.

Haiden Henderson opened the night, and this was my third time seeing him. Henderson is the type of artist who immediately makes it clear that he’s not just interested in simply standing behind a microphone and singing. Rather, he has the type of voice that feels reminiscent of early-2000s boy bands that many of us grew up with, like young Justin Bieber or Shawn Mendes, although it’s his performance style that really sets him apart.

Between his skilled dancing, stage presence, and his own chemistry with his band, Henderson came across less like a typical opening act and more like a full-fledged pop performer who just so happened to have a microphone in his hand. His set leaned into crowd favorites, including a cover of “Kiwi” by Harry Styles and originals like “freak for you.” The songs that might feel intimate and polished through headphones translated surprisingly well to a live setting, thanks largely to his touring band that knew exactly how much energy to put behind them. Henderson clearly put his entire heart into the performance. There was an enthusiasm to him that made it impossible not to watch, even if you were unfamiliar with his music going into the show. His stage presence was undeniable, and by the end of his set, the audience seemed genuinely excited to see what he did next.

Arguably, Henderson was a perfect fit to open for the “Everyone’s A Star” tour, and if this performance is any indication, he’s someone worth keeping a very close eye on. 

Next was The Band CAMINO. Their sound — built around electric guitar riffs, catchy hooks, and deceptively simple lyrics — fit perfectly into the atmosphere of the night. Their energy was contagious without feeling forced, and their set had the kind of effortless cool that made it incredibly easy to get swept up in. 

Jeffery Jordan’s unmistakable vocals paired with Spencer Stewart’s harmonies gave songs like “HOLLY!,” “Mascara,” and “Afterthought” a sound that felt distinctly The Band CAMINO. “HOLLY!” immediately stood out, opening with an almost ’80s-inspired nostalgia before exploding into a chorus that seemed to capture exactly what makes the band work so well. “Mascara” into “Afterthought,” meanwhile, leaned moodier, playing into the band’s apparent love for a good breakup song.

What made their set particularly enjoyable, though, was how little they needed to rely on production. The lighting and staging were relatively simple, allowing the songs, and the band themselves, to do most of the talking. By the time The Band CAMINO walked offstage, it was easy to understand why they were also such a natural choice for this tour.

5 Seconds of Summer opened their set by stepping out of a white limousine, immediately setting the tone for what would be much more theatrical than some of their previous tours. Rather than simply moving from song to song, the show was divided into six acts — or was supposed to be: The Peak, The Fall, The Yearning, The Breakup, The Rise, and The Beginning. Each act was introduced through humorous video segments and skits the band is so well known for, blending humor, storytelling, and just enough self-awareness to remind everyone in the audience that this band has been a band for over a decade. 

One of the funniest and most homely moments came in the form of a PowerPoint presentation documenting the band’s adventures in New Jersey/Camden. There were jokes about going to Wawa, visiting the aquarium, and even trying to see if the Jersey Shore cast would teach them how to GTL. 

One of 5 Seconds of Summer’s biggest strengths was their ability to make a massive production feel weirdly personal, even when they’re performing in front of thousands of people. They still had this ability to make the audience feel like they were all in one big joke together. That feeling continued later in the show with a mock award presentation celebrating the band’s status as a boyband before launching into “Boyband.” A fan was brought onstage to present the award, giving each member the opportunity to deliver a short, funny little speech.

The setlist was satisfying, though I wish they performed more from the new album. The setlist switched between some newer material and older songs that followed the band throughout their career, like “NOT OK,” “Everyone’s A Star!” mixed with “She’s Kinda Hot,” “Ghost Of You,” and, my personal favorite, “Don’t Stop.”

The crowd sang loudly along to nearly every song, and during slower moments, phone flashlights lit up the amphitheater. This is also where the difference between seeing a band for the first time and seeing them for the fifth time becomes interesting, as you start to notice the little things, like how much sharper the musicianship has become, how comfortable the band is commanding a stage this large, and how confident they have become. 

Of course, the Camden show wasn’t perfect. The concert started late, reportedly due to a thunderstorm warning, and that delay unfortunately meant that portions of the planned set had to be cut. Most notably, the band skipped their solo section, where each member was supposed to perform a song from their individual solo work. 

For many fans, this was a particularly disappointing omission. The solo section was one of the more unique elements of the tour, and hearing that it had been cut left a lot of people understandably bummed. The surprise element from the pre-show Q&A also didn’t quite live up to the hype. Fans had been told to expect a surprise guest, only for there to be no surprise guest at all. Also, the “surprise” song was a cover of “Teenage Dream,” a song the band had already performed just a few weeks earlier at another show, despite previously saying that they hadn’t played it in 12 years.

These elements were still fun, of course, but after being promised a never-before-played surprise song and surprise guest. It was hard not to feel like the reveal was a little underwhelming. The end of the show was also shortened, with the planned Everyone’s A Star walk being cut.

There was also the heat, which was obviously uncontrollable. It was extremely hot, even inside the amphitheater, leading to some fans needing to step outside and take breaks just to try and catch some cool air. The venue was packed, and between the weather and the sheer number of people, the conditions were definitely not ideal. 

There was also some understandable frustration from fans online after the show, particularly surrounding the removed solo performances and other segments that had been expected as part of the tour. When you’re seeing a band live, or traveling specifically for a tour like this, you inevitably have certain moments you’re looking forward to, so having those pieces cut can sting.

My own biggest critique was ending the show with “Youngblood.” I understand why they play it — it’s one of their, if not the, biggest song; it’s instantly recognizable, and it’s a staple. But at this point, we’ve heard it enough. Between years of live shows, radio play, playlist spots, and general pop culture saturation, “Youngblood” doesn’t have the same novelty that it once did. And after an otherwise incredibly dynamic show, ending on it felt strangely anticlimactic. You could practically feel the energy in the crowd deflate. 

Usually, the final song is the moment when everyone gets that last burst of adrenaline; the moment that sends you out of the venue screaming, sweaty, and already wishing the night didn’t have to end. “Youngblood” didn’t quite have that effect for me or many of the fans around me. After everything else the show had built toward, I just wanted something that felt bigger.

Still, despite the flaws, Everyone’s A Star demonstrated just how much 5 Seconds of Summer have grown as performers. Camden may not have gotten the complete version of the “Everyone’s A Star” show — the delayed start meant cuts had to be made, the promised surprise guest never appeared, and the heat was brutal — but even with those setbacks, the heart of the show remained. At the end of the night, it was still 5 Seconds of Summer.