Concert Review
Group: Backstreet Boys
Date: 4 September, 2008
Venue: GM Place, Vancouver, British Columbia 

Reviewed By: Lauren Eldridge (Port Moody Correspondent - Canada)

When I first heard that some of my friends were going to the Backstreet Boys concert, I laughed. “How ridiculous,” I said to myself. But when one of them bailed, I agreed to buy his ticket, wondering shortly afterwards what I was getting myself into. A few days before the concert I began listening to the two BSB CDs I had, Millennium and Black & Blue. Memories of enjoying their music in my youth gave me a greater appreciation for both their universal hits and their lesser-known ballads. I began to eagerly look forward to seeing them in concert so I could sing along with the rest of my generation.

Upon finding our seats, we were immediately accosted by a truly scandalous performance by Girlicious; scantily clad and booty shaking, it was upsetting to see what younger children are growing up to when my generation had the crooning love songs of BSB. I didn’t have much time to lament the downfall of today’s girl bands, since Girlicious only “sang” a few “songs.”

The stadium was almost fully packed, groups of girls dressed for a club chatting in excited anticipation. The background music was barely audible, so a game of “Name This Song Based on the Bass Alone” quickly ensued. A couple of false alarms caused the audience to erupt: once when the lights were dimmed, and a second time when a sound guy said “check” into a microphone backstage. Both occurred long before BSB appeared.

When BSB finally did appear, the audience went wild. The opening act was “Larger Than Life”, in which the four Boys did a boxing act, full of fun punches and dodging. They spliced in a chorus of Kanye West’s “Stronger”, an interesting addition to say the least. Each song was accompanied by either an act or some intriguing choreography. “Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely” featured a dim poker table and cigars, while another song involved dancing around a trash can “fire” in hats, ties and vests. More upbeat numbers allowed BSB to demonstrate more energetic choreography with props like mic stands and chairs, or just the four Boys and their fancy footwork.

Interactive, entertaining, and enthusiastic, it was hard not to get swept away by the childhood classics. Every girl in the stadium was singing, dancing and acting out the songs. Sprinkled throughout the show were each of the Boys’ solos. Brian’s attempt at a Latin connection was lamentable, while AJ’s collaboration with his inner rocker was a fun display of his versatility. Nick’s solo doesn’t particularly stand out, but it was good for a predictably Backstreet Boy solo. Howie’s country came out in his touching “Welcome Home,” a calming blend of country and BSB for the closet country lover.

All things considered, BSB have still got it, but are much better as a quartet (which is why they formed in the first place). Although their newest songs aren’t nostalgic, a BSB fan can still appreciate their enthusiasm and passion for being who they are as a group. Nothing makes a concert more enjoyable than the performers loving to perform.