Imagine this scenario: You’ve snagged tickets to Harry Styles’ Together, Together tour and are enjoying the show in the stands when suddenly, the crowd starts belting out the lyrics to a different song by a different artist altogether.
Harry Styles is currently headlining a 30-show residency at Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of his ongoing tour. While it’s common for fans to sing along to his tracks, a new viral trend has emerged where audience members enthusiastically chant the lyrics to Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer’s “Telephone Busy” during the instrumental break of Styles’ song “Ready, Steady, Go” – and this phenomenon is gaining momentum with each passing night.
The trend originated from a fan-made remix on TikTok. In March, user @millsberry75 shared a video blending the two songs, featuring 5 Seconds of Summer’s drummer Ashton Irwin delivering the intro of “Telephone Busy” over the track of “Ready, Steady, Go.”
5 Seconds of Summer acknowledged the remix in August by incorporating it into a DJ set at Salt Shed Chicago during the Lollapalooza festival. Now, fans are taking this trend live to Styles’ concert stages.
Numerous videos circulating on social media capture fans joining in on the chant. Initially, the 5 Seconds of Summer lyrics were faint during earlier Madison Square Garden performances in September. However, recent videos from shows this week demonstrate a significant increase in volume, with the chant evolving into a resounding chorus.
One TikTok user, @tehedorothytehe, expressed joy in seeing the spread of “Harry x 5SOS propaganda” in a recent concert video. The shared history between One Direction, where Styles rose to fame, and 5 Seconds of Summer, affectionately known as 5SOS, contributes to the excitement surrounding this trend.
5 Seconds of Summer has shown appreciation for the fan enthusiasm surrounding the two songs. Drummer Ashton Irwin commented on a fan’s TikTok video in September, acknowledging the fans’ dedication. The band has also reposted several fan videos capturing crowds chanting “Telephone Busy” at Styles’ shows.
While Harry Styles has yet to directly address the trend, the escalating volume suggests that acknowledgment may be on the horizon. With numerous upcoming shows, including a series at Madison Square Garden and more on the tour schedule, there is ample opportunity for this trend to continue gaining momentum.
User @bethanyannne, in a TikTok video lip-syncing to the remix, urged everyone to memorize the lyrics for the upcoming Toronto shows, indicating the potential for this trend to spread further.
