Is boy band circuit a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’?

Thanks to the superb and big-selling Made In The A.M. album, One Direction (1D) handily survived the sudden departure of member Zayn Malik. The group is at present away from the limelight on a much-deserved break, which might be nice but as people in the music business will instantly tell you can be the source of future problems. To solve those, these boys will have to do an Adele when they come back. That is, make a recording that will be bigger than anything.

The boy band circuit is ever a case of “out of sight, out of mind.” Fans swear that they adore their boy idols to infinity but will easily shift loyalties if a new, better looking one shows up with the right songs. With no One Direction to keep them entertained, those screaming girls will surely turn their attention to other “suitors.” Besides, there are rumors going around that 1D might just lose another member to “fatherhood.” Louie Tomlinson is the father of a baby boy with an American stylist. I do not know who will come next, Harry Styles or Niall Horan or Liam Payne, but young girls do not really like swooning for daddies unless the dad is their own.

For all you know, they might even pick up Malik again who nearly a year since his exit from the group, made his comeback, but as a solo artist. His new, really hot single, Pillowtalk, was launched a few days ago and the song made No. 1 on iTunes in 60 countries. Featured in the video is his new girlfriend the gorgeous Gigi Hadid. He used to date Perrie Edwards of the popular girl trio Little Mix. 

On the other hand though, judging from his song and video that are both about sex, it is clear that Malik has now ditched his wholesome 1D image and gone all out sexy. He is courting an older market so his former band mates might not really have any cause for alarm. Whatever alarm bells there are ringing at the moment is coming from the direction of 5 Seconds of Summer. I know these guys from Australia are more of a rock band than a boy band.  But then, in the absence of one, they might just fill the bill.

And it is very evident from the video release How Did We End Up Here? Live at Wembley Arena. This is a great follow-up to their No. 1 selling album Sounds Good Feels Good, the latest album by 5 Seconds of Summer. This is a way of giving fans who love their music more about the boys. It includes the full all-access documentary film titled How Did We End Up Here? that chronicles the group’s incredible journey from ordinary lads wanting to make music to that first gig in Sydney to the tours around the world and that sold-out three-night series at the Wembley Arena in London.

Fans will love the childhood tales and pictures of members Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood and Ashton Irwin. They were kids from working class families with no formal training in music who got together only four years ago. Their story is all there. How they started out uploading covers of current hits on YouTube then had a big hit with She Looks So Perfect. They have not stopped since. The film is very well made and the sound is great. Most of all, it is so heartwarming to watch their dream come true on the stage of the legendary Wembley. No wonder, they cannot help but ask How Did We End Up Here?

Featured is the entire Wembley show with the songs End Up Here, Permanent Vacation, Don’t Stop, Disconnected, Long Way Home, Wrapped Around Your Finger, Amnesia, Beside You, Kiss Me Kiss Me, She Looks So Perfect, Good Girls and What I Like About You. Bonus tracks are live renditions of Heartache On The Big Screen, Everything I Didn’t Say and She’s Kinda Hot, plus the official videos of She Looks So Perfect, Don’t Stop, Amnesia, Good Girls and She’s Kinda Hot. 

5 Seconds of Summer is now on a world tour in support of Sounds Good Feels Good. Included in the group’s itinerary is a Manila stop for a show at the Mall of Asia Arena in March. To prepare for this, check out the How Did We Get Here? video.