They aren't the "teen" heartthrobs you remember from the She Looks So Perfect era anymore. Honestly, it feels like just yesterday we were watching four scrawny kids from Sydney cover pop-punk songs in a garage. But time is a thief. These days, the ages of 5 seconds of summer are a frequent topic of debate because, frankly, they’ve managed to age into a sophisticated pop-rock powerhouse while keeping that youthful, chaotic energy alive.
The band has been around for well over a decade. That’s a lifetime in the music industry. If you’ve followed them since the 2011 YouTube days, you’ve basically grown up alongside them. You probably remember the skinny jeans and the literal literal tons of hairspray. Now, they’re playing stadiums and producing experimental tracks like Bad Omens.
It’s weird.
Watching your favorite band hit their 30s can feel like a personal attack on your own youth. But for 5SOS, it’s actually been their saving grace. They survived the "boy band" stigma—even though they’ve always been a real band playing their own instruments—and came out the other side as respected musicians.
The Birthday Timeline: Who is the Oldest in 5SOS?
Let’s get the numbers out of the way. If you’re looking at the ages of 5 seconds of summer right now, you’re looking at a group of men mostly in their late 20s and early 30s.
Ashton Irwin is the "dad" of the group, and not just because he’s the oldest. He was the final piece of the puzzle, joining Luke, Calum, and Michael just before their first big show at the Annandale Hotel. Born on July 7, 1994, Ashton is currently 31. He’s always been the one with the most perspective, likely because he was a few years ahead of the others during those formative touring years.
Then you’ve got Michael Clifford. He’s the resident "rock star" who famously dyed his hair every color of the rainbow. Michael was born on November 20, 1995. That makes him 30. It’s wild to think he’s now a father, which is a massive milestone that really puts the band's longevity into perspective for the fans.
Calum Hood follows closely behind. Born January 25, 1996, Calum is 29. He’s the bassist who almost became a professional soccer player, but thankfully for us, he chose the bass instead.
Finally, there’s Luke Hemmings. The lead singer and the baby of the band. Born July 16, 1996, Luke is also 29. He was only 15 when the band started gaining traction. Think about that. Most of us were struggling with algebra at 15, and Luke was already becoming a global sensation.
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Growing Up in the Public Eye: The 5SOS Evolution
Most bands don't survive the transition from teenage idols to adult artists. Usually, the pressure or the "creative differences" tear them apart by the second or third album. 5SOS broke the mold.
The gap between their ages and their level of fame was always a bit jarring. When they opened for One Direction on the Take Me Home tour in 2013, they were essentially kids. Ashton was 19, Michael was 17, and Calum and Luke were only 16. They were legally minors while performing in front of tens of thousands of people.
That kind of pressure does things to you.
They’ve been very vocal about the mental health struggles that come with that. Luke has talked about the "weirdness" of his teenage years being documented so heavily. You can hear that maturity in the music. Compare the lyrical content of Don't Stop to something like Complete Mess. It’s a total 180. One is about a girl in a superhero costume; the other is a nuanced look at the chaos of a long-term relationship.
The band’s "middle years" were their most experimental. Around the time Youngblood dropped in 2018, they were all in their early 20s. This was the turning point. They moved to Los Angeles, away from their families in Australia, and started figuring out who they were as individuals. It was a make-or-break moment. Luckily, it was a "make."
Why the Age Gap Between Ashton and the Rest Matters
A lot of people don't realize that Ashton is nearly two years older than Luke and Calum. In your 30s, two years is nothing. In your teens? It’s a lifetime.
When they started, Ashton had a car. He had a job. He brought a level of "adult" responsibility to a group of schoolboys who were mostly just trying to skip class. This dynamic is a huge reason why they didn't implode. Ashton often acted as a buffer between the label and the younger members. He understood the business side a little earlier than the others.
He’s also the first one to lean into solo work with his album Superbloom, which he released in 2020. It showed that the band members could have their own identities without the group falling apart. This is the hallmark of a mature band. They aren't tethered to each other out of fear; they stay together because they actually want to.
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Fatherhood and Marriage: The New Era of 5SOS
If you want to feel old, just look at the band's personal lives.
Michael Clifford and his wife, Crystal Leigh, welcomed their daughter, Lua, in late 2023. Seeing Michael as a dad is a trip for anyone who remember him with neon green hair screaming Social Casualty. It changes the band's dynamic, too. Touring isn't just about late-night parties anymore; it’s about logistics, family, and balance.
Luke Hemmings is also married to singer-songwriter Sierra Deaton. Their relationship has been a huge inspiration for his solo music and the band's more romantic, melancholic tracks.
The ages of 5 seconds of summer reflect a group that has moved past the need to "prove" they are punk or pop. They just are what they are. This security only comes with time. They’ve seen the trends come and go. They saw the vine-era bands disappear. They saw the rise of TikTok. Through it all, they’ve stayed remarkably consistent.
The Secret to Their Longevity
Why are they still here?
Most bands with their origin story—discovered on YouTube, boosted by a massive boy band—fizzle out after four years. 5SOS stayed because they are actually friends. It sounds cliché, but it’s the truth. If you watch their interviews from 2012 versus 2024, the "bits" are the same. The inside jokes are the same.
They also took control of their sound. Many artists are puppets for their labels at 18. 5SOS fought for their right to write their own songs and play their own instruments from day one. That’s why their fanbase is so loyal. You aren't just a fan of the music; you’re a fan of the four guys.
Real Talk: The Challenges of Aging in Pop-Rock
It hasn't been all sunshine and roses. Aging in the spotlight means your mistakes are permanent. Every awkward phase, every bad tweet from 2013, and every vocal crack is on the internet forever.
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They’ve had to navigate the "flop" allegations that every veteran band faces. Whenever a single doesn't hit #1, people claim they’re "over." But the ages of 5 seconds of summer mean they have the thick skin to ignore that noise. They know that a career is a marathon, not a sprint. Their 5SOS5 album was a testament to that—it was self-produced and deeply personal, proving they don't need a factory of hit-makers to stay relevant.
Summary of the 5SOS Birthdays
If you need a quick reference for the 5SOS members and their current statuses:
Ashton Irwin (31) remains the backbone on drums. Michael Clifford (30) is the lead guitarist and a new dad. Calum Hood (29) provides the rhythmic soul on bass. Luke Hemmings (29) is the frontman with a soaring solo career on the side.
They are no longer "the 5SOS boys." They are the 5SOS men.
The shift in their music—from the high-energy power chords of their debut to the synth-heavy, atmospheric vibes of their recent work—mirrors this transition. They are growing up with their fans, which is the most sustainable way to have a career in this industry.
How to Keep Up With the Band Today
If you’ve fallen out of the loop, now is the best time to jump back in. They aren't the same band that sang Pizza. They are something much more interesting now.
- Listen to the Solo Projects: Luke’s When Facing the Things We Turn Away From and Ashton’s Superbloom give you a deep dive into their individual psyches. It helps you understand why the band sounds the way it does now.
- Watch the 'The 5SOS Show' Content: Their recent tours have been cinematic. They’ve embraced their history while pushing forward.
- Follow the Evolution, Not the Hype: Don't worry about where they are on the charts. Focus on the craft. They are one of the few bands from the 2010s still touring with all original members. That alone is a feat.
The ages of 5 seconds of summer aren't just numbers on a Wikipedia page; they represent a decade of survival, evolution, and genuine friendship in an industry that usually breaks people. Whether they are 25 or 55, the core of what made them special—the four-way brotherhood—remains the same.
To stay truly updated, follow their official social media channels rather than relying on old fan accounts. Their current era is defined by autonomy, so the most "real" information comes directly from them. Keep an eye on Michael’s updates for the most wholesome "dad" content, and watch Luke’s socials for any hints at new solo or band atmospheric tracks. The next few years will likely see them leaning even further into their roles as elder statesmen of the pop-rock genre.