Two nights at Toronto’s Rogers Centre delivered a thunderous welcome for One Direction and their opening act, 5 Seconds of Summer. The North American leg of the Where We Are tour kicked off with a roar, drawing about 48,000 fans each evening. The arena hummed with energy from the moment the lights faded, as fans sang along, waved signs, and created a living pulse that echoed through the concourses. Both acts delivered a high-octane blend of pop hooks, electric guitars, and soaring choruses that kept the crowd buzzing long after the final notes faded. The pairing proved to be a perfect match for a Canadian and American audience hungry for a night of vivid memories, bright lights, and contagious cheer.
Missed the weekend in Toronto? A quick look back highlights the anticipation, energy, and standout moments that kept fans talking for days.
Starting off the night were Luke Hemmings, Calum Hood, Ashton Irwin, and Michael Clifford—the four members of 5 Seconds of Summer. With nearly four million followers on Twitter, 5SOS rode the momentum of a rising wave and delivered a set that blended fan favorites with fresh tracks. They balanced punchy, upbeat tunes with quieter moments, inviting the crowd to sing along and rise to their feet. The stage energy was palpable as they rolled through a dynamic mix of covers and originals, leaving no corner of the arena untouched by their contagious enthusiasm.
These four Australian performers made a point of showing appreciation for Canadian fans, noting their warmth and passion. They joked about having a good view of the CN Tower and playfully dubbed it The Canadian Tower, a nod that drew cheers from fans on all levels of the stadium.
Included in 5SOS’s ten-song set was their newest single Amnesia and a cover of The Romantics’ What I Like About You. They closed with their breakthrough hit She Looks So Perfect, and even gave Canada a playful twist by changing the chorus from Hey-ye-ye to Eh-eh-eh. The moment sent the crowd into a wave of laughter and dizzying energy as thousands sang and danced along on the floor and in the stands.
Between acts, fans cooled off at the intermission, a chance to regroup and celebrate. Even with an hour-long break, the tempo stayed high as the crowd danced to The Macarena and did the wave, stretching the excitement into the next act.
When the lights dimmed again it was time for Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson to take the stage. Rogers Centre erupted in screams as One Direction opened with Midnight Memories. The five-piece group delivered nineteen songs with four encores, roaming every inch of the colossal stage to ensure that every fan left with a close moment with their favorite member. The setlist boasted a string of chart-toppers—Kiss You, Live While We’re Young, What Makes You Beautiful, and Best Song Ever—interspersed with moments of interaction that made the night feel personal for the 48,000 attendees.
Niall shared his Top 3 Canadian favorites—poutine, Michael Bublé, and of course the fans themselves. Harry Styles created a memory for a lucky fan by encouraging the entire stadium to sing Happy Birthday to Athena. He also dropped a playful hockey quip, asking if anyone there followed the Maple Leafs and joking about his own future visits to England.
Overall, the Toronto performances left audiences of all ages with a lasting impression. For fans who could not attend, there was still a way to experience the spectacle later through a concert film shot during the tour in Milan, which brought the energy of the night to screens for viewers across North America.
Looking ahead at the season, future shows at major Toronto venues were announced for 5 Seconds of Summer, with ticket sales rolling out soon after. The energy from Rogers Centre served as a reminder that large-scale pop tours still draw enthusiastic crowds from Canada and the United States alike, proving that a live show remains a powerful shared experience.