Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: 5 Seconds of Summer Turned Fame Into a Spectacle at Montreal’s Centre Bell
Over the past decade, 5 Seconds of Summer have accomplished something that many bands struggle to achieve: they’ve successfully evolved without losing the qualities that made fans fall in love with them in the first place. From their early 2000s days as energetic teenagers playing pop-rock anthems, their rise to fame opening for the world-renowned (ex) boyband One Direction, to their current status as seasoned musicians exploring increasingly experimental but captivating new sounds, the quartet consisting of lead singer Luke Hemmings, lead guitarist Michael Clifford, drummer Ashton Irwin and bassist Calum Hood, have proven their talent of continually reinventing themselves while maintaining an unmistakable identity.
On June 3, 2026, the Australian pop-rock band brought their “Everyone’s a Star” tour to Montreal’s Centre Bell, transforming the arena into a tongue-in-cheek celebration of fame, fandom, and the absurdity of life as a globally successful band. With the theme of the performance centred around the idea of the group’s “last show”, (premise that was obviously not true, since they’re on tour!), the show functioned as both a concert and a theatrical parody of celebrity culture, complete with award ceremonies, fan participation, and enough self-aware humour to keep the concept engaging and the audience laughing throughout the night.
First off, however, was an opening performance by The Band CAMINO, a rock band from Tennessee. Known for their hits such as “See Through” and “I Think I Like You”, the band did an excellent job of setting the tone for the night through their energetic set.
From the moment 5 Seconds of Summer stepped onstage, it was evident that the show was more than just a “get up, perform, and on to the next” type of show. The production presented an alternate reality in which 5 Seconds of Summer were navigating the final chapter of an impossibly glamorous career. Every “act”, as the band called it, of the show fed into that narrative, allowing the band to poke fun at their own success while celebrating the community that helped create it. These acts were Act 1: The Peak, Act 2: The Fall, Act 3: The Yearning, Act 4: The Breakup (the band member’s solo music was played here), Act 5: The Rise, Act 6: The Beginning, and finally, Act 7: The Return. To make the gag more believable, the band recorded fake news segments, fake controversies and fake interviews to bring fans even deeper into the world and narrative they created with this tour theme.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came during “Boyband,” when a VIP fan was invited onstage to present the band with an award. The ceremony played like a mock awards ceremony tribute, reinforcing the show’s satirical take on fame while simultaneously acknowledging the fans who have supported the band throughout their career. While “accepting” the award, the band took turns thanking different Canadian icons, with Michael Clifford thanking Celine Dion for “teaching us everything,” and lead-singer Luke Hemmings who yelled nothing but “SIMPLE PLAN!”
Another part of the show that earned a lot of laughs was when the band showed the crowd the way they “became a local” during their day in Montreal. They recounted how they visited Montreal’s Underground City, tried to find the best poutine, and even had Luke Hemmings try (badly, sorry!) to speak a few common French phrases.
The relationship between artist and audience was a recurring theme throughout the night, and another great example was during the surprise song segment, where fans voted for a surprise song out of 4 choices before the show started. The announcement of “Don’t Stop” sent the Centre Bell into a roar of cheers, and helped add a sense of uniqueness to each show when the setlist remains otherwise the same.
Another highlight came during Act 4, the section dedicated to the members’ solo work. Rather than presenting themselves solely as a collective, each member was given an opportunity to showcase material from their individual projects. These songs were “Starting Line” by Luke Hemmings, “Don’t Forget You Love Me” by Calum Hood, “Have U Found What Ur Looking For?” by Ashton Irwin, and, my personal favourite, “enough” by Michael Clifford. Although they are recognized as part of a band, it was inspiring to see how each member found their own identity, and didn’t let being part of the band solely define their music.
Musically, the band sounded confident and comfortable throughout the 27 song set. Elaborate lighting, dynamic video screens featuring 2000s graphics, and a unique stage setup featuring a car for Ashton Irwin’s drum kit elevated the show without distracting from the music itself, highlighted as well through the use of props like giant inflated balls, blow up dolls, and most notably, confetti during “Not OK,” “Bad Omens,” and their closer “Youngblood.”
Perhaps the most impressive achievement of “Everyone’s a Star” is how effectively it balances irony and sincerity. The tour openly mocks the conventions of celebrity culture, but beneath the jokes lies a genuine appreciation for the fans who have accompanied the band throughout its journey. As Michael Clifford said; “Real bands save fans, real fans save bands.”
If the goal of “Everyone’s a Star” was to make every audience member feel like part of the story, then Montreal’s June 3 performance succeeded spectacularly. From old hits like “She’s Kinda Hot” and “Youngblood,” to new songs like “Everyone’s A Star!” “Evolve” and “istillfeelthesame,” even casual fans had a song that met their taste. Equal parts concert, comedy, nostalgia trip, and love letter to the 5 Seconds of Summer fandom, it was a show that understood exactly what has kept 5 Seconds of Summer relevant for so long: not just great songs and a unique sound, but a genuine ability to make fans feel seen. Plus, nothing beats the feeling of starting your summer by screaming the lyrics to “She Looks So Perfect”!
Click here for more information on the tour and upcoming dates!
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
5 SECONDS OF SUMMER
THE BAND CAMINO
All Photo Credit: Ashley Bellam
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Joji’s Solaris Tour Makes an Impact in Montreal
For an artist whose music thrives on intimacy, melancholy, and emotional vulnerability, Joji’s concert at Montreal’s Centre Bell on June 20th, 2026 was no exception to these themes. With the size of the venue, holding roughly 16k fans for a concert, it is tough to set a scene intimate enough to make the room feel close and personal, but Joji seemed to pull it off with a polished ease. Supporting acts Nate Sib and Corbin also contributed to the evening’s tone. Their performances helped establish the night’s mood while introducing the audience to emerging artists whose work shares similar lyrical moods and music style with Joji’s discography. By the time Joji took the stage, the Centre Bell crowd was fully engaged and erupting in cheers from the moment the lights went down.
The Montreal stop came early in Joji’s highly anticipated Solaris Tour, a massive North American and European run supporting his latest album Piss In The Wind. Longtime fans could tell this was more than just a regular tour for Joji, but more so a reminder of how far he has come since emerging from internet culture as George Kusunoki Miller, the creator behind “The Filthy Frank Show” on YouTube and Pink Guy personas, before reinventing himself as one of contemporary music’s most distinctive alternative R&B voices. He even popularized the Harlem Shake dance!
Many initially viewed the transition with skepticism, assuming his musical ambitions wouldn’t reach the same heights as his online persona, but instead, Joji steadily established himself as a real artist, releasing acclaimed projects including BALLADS 1, Nectar, SMITHEREENS, and most recently, Piss In The Wind.
His music blends alternative R&B, lo-fi production, electronic textures, and pop songwriting, creating a distinctive sound that is deserving of the success he found. Today, he stands as one of the great examples of an internet creator successfully reinventing themselves as a legitimate recording artist.
By the time the lights dimmed, the smoke started pouring in the venue and the massive background screens lit up, the roar of the crowd was deafening. Joji’s strength as a performer has never been theatrics, elaborate props or choreography. Instead, he succeeds through creating an intimate scene that highlights the emotions in his music. His songs explore loneliness, heartbreak, longing, and self-reflection, themes that resonate deeply with audiences navigating similar emotions. Throughout the night, the singer demonstrated an ability to shift seamlessly between vulnerable ballads and more energetic moments, maintaining an emotional connection with the audience despite the size of the arena.
The setlist reflected the full range of Joji’s catalog while featuring the most songs from “Piss In The Wind” and “Nectar.” The show opened with a bang, with performances of “PIXELATED KISSES,” “Sojourn,” and “Ew,” then continuing with popular fan favourites including “Glimpse of Us,” “Daylight,” and “Like You Do.” After a 25 song setlist featuring some interludes, the concert closed in a powerful rendition of “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK, ” a song that remains one oft he defining works of Joji’s career and one that transformed the Bell Centre into a sea of illuminated phone screens and a shower of confetti.
One of the night’s highlights was when Joji brought out a robot during “Last of a Dying Breed.” The robot danced next to him during the song, which added humour to an otherwise very emotional concert. During the rest of the set, Joji delivered a performance that emphasized emotion over technical perfection. His voice carried a rawness that complemented the themes of the material, particularly during quieter moments. In an era when many arena performers rely heavily on choreography or elaborate staging to maintain audience engagement, Joji’s greatest asset remains his capacity to communicate vulnerability. Other than a few props, such as the robot, a t-shirt cannon and confetti at the end of the set, Joji’s sole “prop” was the large screens behind him. The visuals were very psychedelic, putting the audience in what felt like a trance to fully convey the experience and emotions in the songs he was performing.
The Solaris Tour is not the first time Joji has performed in Montreal. His performance at Osheaga Music Festival in 2019, and in 2022 at MTELUS (a much smaller venue than Centre Bell) largely helped him establish a fanbase in Montreal. Throughout the night, fans sang every lyric, reinforcing the idea that Joji’s music functions as more than entertainment; for many listeners, it serves as a way to cope with deeply personal experiences and as a reminder that they aren’t dealing with these experiences alone.
As the final notes faded and fans slowly made their way toward the exits, many stopping to pick up merch before they left, the atmosphere showed that Montreal had witnessed more than a routine tour stop. Despite Montreal’s show being one of the first stops, the Solaris Tour already proved itself one to be not necessarily polished in the way a usual arena performer’s elaborate set is, but designed perfectly to represent what each song’s meaning calls for. As the tour continues, audiences can expect a production that combines captivating visuals, emotional songwriting, and a performer who continues to redefine expectations the public sets on him. For Montreal fans, the concert on June 20th, 2026 offered a compelling reminder of Joji’s unique ability to transform deeply personal music into a communal experience—one capable of filling an arena while still leaving you feeling like you were the only one in the crowd.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
JOJI
NATE SIB
All Photo Credit: Ashley Bellam
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Bleachers Bring Big Energy to a Long-Awaited Montreal Return
On June 10th, 2026, fans packed into MTELUS for the Montreal stop of Bleachers’ Bleachers Forever tour. This is the second time the band has had in Montreal, the first being at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival back in 2022, which is the perfect place to build a Montreal fanbase.
Momo Boyd, a New York City based vocalist and songwriter, had no problem setting the tone for the night. With songs like “Cold Hands,” “Strong,” and even a cover of “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, her set was filled with enchanting purple lights, beautifully deep lyrics, and captivating vocals. Although her performance was more “low-key” than a typical Bleachers performance, it had its moments of picking up, and was the perfect way to ease the crowd into the night, and left many audience members as a new fan.
As Bleachers took the stage, opening their set with “My Way,” there was no doubt that this would be a night to remember. The band, consisting of lead singer Jack Antonoff, Mikey Freedom Hart, Zem Audu, Mike Riddleberger, Evan Smith and Sean Hutchinson came out to the wonderful sound of saxophone played by band member Zem Audu, and though the first half of the song was slower, the energy built up shortly after through flashing lights, jumps and a roaring crowd.
The audience erupted in cheers and laughter as lead singer, Jack Antonoff spoke out about artists always skipping Montreal during their tours, saying: “They think they can play Osheaga and that’s enough?”, and “What’s with (bands) that think they can play Osheaga, which is like an expensive ticket, and not just come play a normal show.” As me, and many others in that room have traveled to Toronto to see our favourite artists when they skip Montreal on tour, I completely agree with this!
The night continued with back-to-back hits, including “you and forever,” “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call,” and of course, “I Wanna Get Better,” and closing the set with “Stop Making This Hurt.” They even played a cover of Margaret by Lana Del Ray, which they’re featured on!
Bleachers set an incredible standard of engaging a crowd and keeping a consistently high-energy audience. From the first note, to the emotional highs and lows, to the closing goodbyes, fans were cheering, singing and dancing the whole time! They even had a photobooth in the venue where you could take pictures before the show! This is certainly a band that will be in people’s rotation for years to come, so the tour name speaks for itself when it says, Bleachers Forever!
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
BLEACHERS
MOMO BOYD
All Photo Credit: Ashley Bellam