'N Sync extravaganza brings down dome By Ramiro Burr San Antonio Express-News
A massive high-tech sound and lights circus descended on the Alamodome on Sunday night in the form of the teen pop sensation 'N Sync.
'N Sync performs at the Alamodome on Sunday night. Only four members of the group performed, as Joey Fatone was reportedly ill, but the 35,000 fans on hand cheered lustily all the same.
The blinding stage show resembled a Las Vegas revue on steroids.
The lights were dazzling, the sound deafening and the special effects ground shaking. The flame-throwers on stage illuminated the dome, while the flash-pot explosions literally rattled the stadium floor.
And yes, there was music, a rumbling thunder that could just be heard above the ear-piercing shrieks of the fans, estimated at 35,000.
Starting their show at 9:18 p.m., the boys appeared out of a pyramid in the center of the dome and danced down a ramp to the stage to the rhythms of "Pop," the first single from their latest CD, "Celebrity." Only four group members performed, as Joey Fatone was reportedly ill.
While video screens showed the images of the dancing singers, a sea of red, green and blue lights glittered in the dome.
The 60-by-80-foot stage reached the height of a five-story building. From there, the group segued into their familiar hits, including "Tearin' Up My Heart," "God Must Have Spent A Little More Time With You," and the R&B flavor "Gone," also from the new album.
In today's modern age of stadium rock tours, it seems apparent that industrial-strength light and sound effects are necessary to maintain the status quo.
However, it begs the question: Would such a spectacular special effects show still be as exciting with no-name performers?
Ardent fans might disagree, but it seems plausible that any generic artist could achieve the same excitement while being at the center of a multimillion-dollar, high-tech extravaganza.
Earlier in the day, teen fans circulated along the stadium corridors, seemingly checking out the crowds.
Drawing gold-rush business were the various T-shirt vendors, where lines 15 to 20 deep formed continuously.
"We were sitting around waiting for something, and all of a sudden the rush started and it hasn't stopped," said one harried vendor.
Hundreds of fans were disappointed, though, when they discovered that they could not take their hundreds of posters and other signage into the dome. Huge boxes by the entrance were stacked full of placards, posters and banners.
In the parents room, Sergio and Ester Lucio, waited for their children.
"We drove from Austin for our 9-, 14-, and 15-year-old girls," Sergio Lucio said. "They each have their favorite 'N Sync guy: Lance, Justin and J.C. The girls are always trying to dance like them. And their rooms are wall to wall with posters, including the ceiling."
Radio personality Sonny Melendrez interviewed the group before it went on stage.
"The biggest rumor they wanted to squelch was the one about their being in a movie," Melendrez said. "There's been talk about Justin (Timberlake) and Britney (Spears) appearing together in a movie, but Justin said that was not true, although he said he would like to be in one with her just to see her more often."
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