In February 2014, the history of the UK charts changed with the arrival of one group. 5SOS, comprised of four Australian boys, simultaneously claimed the #1 position on the UK, Australian, New Zealand, and Irish charts with their debut single 'She Looks So Perfect'. What made this achievement special was how they reached it. Four friends who met at school in December 2011 began their journey by uploading cover videos to YouTube, and that journey led them to the world stage.
Dreaming on YouTube
Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood, Ashton Irwin. These four officially formed their band in December 2011. However, their journey didn't start at a music academy or through auditions with agencies—it began on the YouTube platform. They covered songs by famous artists, and these videos gradually gained popularity online.
5SOS's success story is a perfect case study of the power of social media. A band that grew without traditional music industry support, sustained only by fan enthusiasm. They took the stage as the supporting band during One Direction's Australian tour, and this experience led to their international expansion. By supporting One Direction's tour in 2013, they were able to meet fans all over the world.
Capitol Records Contract and Debut Single
'She Looks So Perfect' was 5SOS's official debut single, released after signing with Capitol Records. This song, released in February 2014, quickly climbed the charts. It achieved #1 in the UK, #1 in Australia, #1 in New Zealand, and #1 in Ireland, making them the first Australian band to conquer the UK chart.
What's particularly interesting is their chart performance in America. Though they ranked #32 on the Hot 100, this understates the explosive popularity they enjoyed—their music video gained 1 million views in 24 hours. Fans worldwide welcomed the band, and their youth, energy, and musical talent formed a perfect combination.
"We've always loved this music, and our fans' love brought us here."— Luke Hemmings
An Australian Band's Global Storm
5SOS's achievements didn't stop at chart records. As an Australian band that claimed the #1 position on the UK charts in the post-2000s era, they achieved something remarkable—the first such success since Madison Avenue 14 years earlier. This signaled a revival of Australian music, and fans not only in the UK but across America, Europe, and Asia became passionate about this young band.
2014 was the year of 5SOS. Their music video went viral worldwide, received endless radio rotation, and dominated music streaming platforms. Through performances at Kensington's Cherry Live venue, appearances at various music festivals, and world tours, they demonstrated the band's authenticity and live ability. With their sound that maintained the spirit of youth rock while incorporating pop's charm, they captured the hearts of young people worldwide.
