A seventeen-year-old girl reports on the
Backstreet Boys: Orlando's Backstreet Boys
have come a long, long way. Not too long ago,
the quintet was singing a capella covers in
random record company foyers begging for a
deal. Now, they sell out arenas like the
Merriweather Post Pavilion, taking the stage
amid a spectacular array of sparklers and
smoke to sing their songs to thousands and
thousands of screaming fans. Their days of
begging are well behind them.
The Boys were quick to please the fanatic
crowd, restless after an uneven opening set
by Aaron Carter, gorgeous B-Boy Nick Carter's
ten-year-old brother. "That's The Way I Like
It", an early hit, calmed the chants of
"Backstreet Boys, Backstreet Boys," and
evoked screams of "I love you, Brian", or
"I'm the one for you, Nick." (Actually, I'm
the one for him, but I digress.) After
satisfying the masses with the song and
choreographed dance, Kevin Richardson, Howie
Dorough, Brian Littrell (Kevin's cousin),
A.J. McLean and the adorable (older) Carter
thanked the crowd for always supporting them
and making them the sensation that they have
become -- a show of gratitude that is a
Backstreet Boys trademark.
Starting with Sweet Howie D. passing out
roses to giddy, crazed girls while performing
"My Heart Stays With You," the boys took
turns with their solo routines. Each girl was
in heaven when her favorite Backstreet Boy
appeared on stage and sang a love song meant
for her. My serenade came when Nick appeared
in a red suit, pausing in mid-song to
playfully stare at the audience, then flash a
poisonous smile that sent me reeling.
The Boys then entertained the crowd with most
of the songs off their self-titled album;
their costume changes & dances were executed
to perfection. "Get Down (You're the One For
Me)", "We've Got It Goin' On" and "Anywhere
For You" were approved with deafening
screams.
The five different personalities that make
the group so unique came out to shine during
this time. Funnyman McLean sang one verse of
"I'll Never Break Your Heart" to a beefy
security guard. A solemn, caring Richardson
asked the crowd how they were doing and if
they were having fun. Flirtatious Dorough &
Carter pointed to masses of hysterical girls
and waved, winking and whispering something
to the other. Teasers. And a rambunctious
Littrell, despite his recent heart surgery,
was bouncing off the walls with energy &
charisma.
Although some critics view the Backstreet
Boys as a Nineties version of the New Kids On
The Block, they are far from it. The boys
took time out to play the instruments
themselves for their breakthrough hit, "Quit
Playing Games With My Heart." Richardson
manned the keyboards, Littrell the bongo
drums, McLean the bass, Dorough the guitar,
and Carter the drums. And yes, all electrical
equipment was plugged in.
The fabulous Fivesome saved the best moment
for last: The stage went pitch black while
dance scenes from the original video,
Backstreet's Back, played on monitors. On
stage, silver curtains parted to reveal
wrought iron gates. An eight-foot tall grim
reaper pushed through the barrier, making way
for five robed ghouls with glowing red eyes
wheeling out five oversized, upright coffins.
The caskets were lined up, then spun around
to reveal a Backstreet Boy in each one.
Littrell gave the opening line his all from
inside the coffin. There was an explosion of
lights and the boys jumped out and into the
pumping dance song. With their incredible
moves and steps, the Backstreet Boys ended in
style. A side-by-side final bow with hands
locked prompted a shower of stuffed animals
and flowers. But the show was not complete
until Carter knelt down and gave the camera a
big kiss on the lens ... needless to say, I
wish I had been that camera.
NINA GHORBANI
