5SOS Awards List: Complete Guide to 5 Seconds of Summer Wins

From YouTube Covers to Global Dominance: The Evolution of 5SOS’s Award-Winning Legacy

When Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood, and Ashton Irwin first started uploading acoustic covers to YouTube from Western Sydney back in 2011, few could have predicted the trajectory. More than a decade later, 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) has evolved from a viral pop-punk YouTube sensation into one of the most enduring, self-contained alt-pop bands of the 21st century.

A critical measure of that journey is their extensive trophy case. Over the years, 5SOS has racked up hundreds of nominations and major wins across the globe. Their awards tell a fascinating story: the transition from a hyper-enthusiastic teen fanbase driving internet-voted polls to a respected, critically acclaimed powerhouse winning industry-vetted accolades.

1. The Breakthrough Era: Conquering the Fan-Voted Polls (2014–2015)

In the early days of their international breakout—fueled by smashes like “She Looks So Perfect” and touring with One Direction—5SOS was an unstoppable force in fan-voted ceremonies.

• Teen Choice Awards & Kids’ Choice Awards: The band practically owned the youth-culture award space early on, securing multiple Teen Choice Awards (including Choice Music: Breakout Group) and Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice trophies.
• MTV Dominance: 5SOS proved they had a fiercely loyal global community by securing heavy wins at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs)—where they have accumulated an impressive 10 wins overall—and taking home trophies at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).
• American Music Awards (2014): Cementing their commercial arrival, they won the coveted New Artist of the Year award at the AMAs, proving they were more than just a passing internet trend.

2. Home Turf Glory: ARIA and APRA Recognition

While international glory is sweet, validation from home is often the most rewarding. 5SOS has consistently maintained a profound connection to Australia’s music ecosystem, sweeping the prestigious ARIA Music Awards over the years.

• ARIA Wins: They’ve captured major categories like Song of the Year (for “She Looks So Perfect” in 2014 and “Teeth” in 2020), Best Group, and multiple wins for Best Australian Live Act thanks to their explosive touring reputation (Rock Out With Your Socks Out Tour, Meet You There Tour).
• APRA Honors: In 2019, APRA recognized their massive global footprint by presenting them with the Outstanding International Achievement Award, solidifying their status as musical ambassadors for Australia.

3. Critical Evolution: The “Youngblood” Turning Point

Every long-running band faces a crossroads where they must shed their teen-idol skin to be taken seriously as musicians and songwriters. For 5SOS, that pivotal moment arrived with their global monster hit “Youngblood” in 2018.

The shift was instantly reflected in their awards:

• BMI & ASCAP Awards: “Youngblood” and subsequent tracks like “Easier” and “Who Do You Love” earned them multiple BMI and ASCAP Pop Music Awards, honoring the actual radio airplay and songwriting metrics behind their massive commercial footprint.
• NME and Alternative Press Awards: Winning praise from alternative and indie-centric publications like NME and the Alternative Press Music Awards validated their sonic evolution into darker, synth-driven alt-pop and mature rock textures.

The Verdict: A Legacy Built to Last

Today, 5SOS’s awards represent a rare hybrid success story. They survived the notoriously fickle transition from a boy-band adjacent pop-punk outfit to an independent, self-writing, self-playing alternative rock band.