Picture this scenario: You find yourself at Harry Styles’ Together, Together tour, enjoying the music in the crowd when suddenly, the audience erupts into singing the lyrics of a different song by a different artist.
Harry Styles is currently midway through his 30-show residency at Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of his tour. While it’s common for fans to sing along to his songs, a new trend has emerged where fans enthusiastically chant the lyrics of Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer’s song “Telephone Busy” during the instrumental break of Styles’ “Ready, Steady, Go” – and this trend is gaining momentum with each passing night.
The trend started with a fan-made remix on TikTok. User @millsberry75 shared a video in March blending the two songs, featuring 5 Seconds of Summer’s drummer Ashton Irwin talk-singing the intro of “Telephone Busy” over “Ready, Steady, Go.”
The remix caught the attention of 5 Seconds of Summer, who incorporated it into a DJ set at Salt Shed Chicago during the Lollapalooza festival in August. Now, fans are embracing this trend at Styles’ live shows.
Numerous videos on social media capture fans participating in this trend. Initially subtle in earlier Madison Square Garden performances in September, the chanting of 5 Seconds of Summer lyrics has escalated to a thunderous roar in recent videos from shows this week.
Expressing delight in the trend, TikTok user @tehedorothytehe wrote in a concert video, “Nothing makes me happier than knowing the harry x 5sos propaganda is spreading.”
There is historical significance behind the excitement, stemming from the connection between One Direction, where Styles gained fame, and 5 Seconds of Summer. The bands shared a history dating back to 2012 when One Direction member Louis Tomlinson helped promote 5 Seconds of Summer’s music, leading to collaborations and shared tours.
In the midst of manufactured trends, witnessing a fan-driven trend like this evolve organically is refreshing, as noted by user @mariamontour in an Oct. 6 TikTok video.
5 Seconds of Summer has acknowledged the buzz around the songs, with drummer Ashton Irwin appreciating the fans’ enthusiasm and the band reposting numerous videos of the audience chanting “Telephone Busy” at Styles’ shows.
While Harry Styles has yet to directly address the trend, the escalating volume suggests he might acknowledge it soon. With more shows ahead, including a series at Madison Square Garden and other tour stops, the anticipation is high for how far this trend will go.
Fans are already gearing up for the trend to continue, with user @bethanyannne urging others to memorize the lyrics for future shows.