I know where I was!!
Although the 'acappella angels' from the U S of A have been absent from the charts and music scene in general for the past few months, it appears that they have not been absent from the hearts and minds of their growing army of fans.
Two years ago it was the heart-wrenching ballad "I'll Never Break Your Heart" combined with the boys natural talent and good looks that lead on to them winning the 'best newcomer' category at the 1995 Smash Hits awards. By November 1996 they had begun to sell-out tour of the UK theatre venues -- Now, seven months later they are touring the UK again, this time in arenas, and as they proved to us -- 'There ain't no party like a Backstreet party!'
I don't think that a single person in the arena wasn't ready to go completely crazy after the prolonged build up to the boys' arrival, but believe me, it was well worth the wait!
The lights dimmed and we were greeted by five familar voices blastin' out their top new tune "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)", complete mayhem followed as the boys' baby pictures flashed up on the huge screens on either side of the stage, (d'ya know, our Brian hasn't changed one bit!!) - then from behind a huge black curtain appeared our five fave American boys. At long last the Backstreet party had begun.
"We've Got It Goin' On" was the show-starter that got the crowd jumpin' and "Let's Have A Party" one of the most light-hearted, fun songs on the boys' album induced much singing and chanting amongst the audience and large amounts of larking around the stage amongst the group themselves. For the next few songs the pace was slowed down as the Boys performed "Just To Be Close" and the Boyz II Men classic "End Of The Road" acappella, ahowing their amazing ability to create spine-chilling harmonies not unlike those of Boyz II Men. This was followed by a song which proves to be a big favourite with the fans - "I'll Never Break Your Heart." (Thousands of girls dreaming of their favourite Backstreet Boy singing to them, no doubt!!)
Kevin displayed his vocal talents (and quite a bit of flesh!) during an outstanding rendition of "Nobody But You." After which came an equally dazzling tribute medley, with each of the Boys singing another artists' song. Howie wowed the audience with his version of Prince's "Betcha By Golly Wow" and Nick's solo "Heaven in Your Eyes" was extremely moving. It seemed that for once a lot of the audience stopped screaming and just listened. To tell the truth it would have been difficult not to have listened and been moved by this performance because the strength and intensity of his voice conveyed a thousand emotions. It was a totally breathtaking rendition.
"Anywhere For You" was a special thank you dedicated to all the fans. I can assure you that there was not a dry eye in the house as the Boys performed this Backstreet classic. Once again the lights dimmed and there was a slight lapse in the screams, that is until the familar sound of Kevin's sexy intro to "Darlin'" boomed out over the entire arena. After a heartfelt rendition which resulted in tears filled with emotion as the boys sang of lost love and the desire for their darlin' to return, and also many tears of delight as Brian cheekily flashed his tummy to the audience. The before mentioned Backstreet Boy then lead the audience into a singalong of "Darlin'" as the platform behind the band rose and the boys disappeared into the stage, Nick and Brian indulging in a little play-fight on the way down.
"Boys Will Be Boys" launched the BSB's into the final part of the show, getting the adrenalin pumping and the audience dancing, but this electrifying performance was simply a warm up for the penultimate song of the noght - "Get Down", the whole arena went crazy, the chants and screams the loudest they'd been all night, the boys sexy dance routines and equally sexy bodies (Hey, you try and review a BSB concert and not mention their abs!) whipped the crowd into a frenzy and then as the last note plunged them into darkness - we all know that the next song was the finale...
The band appeared on a lift at the back of the stage, as they descended down the steps they thanked the audience and said their good-nights, then the lights went down and the first noted of "Quit Playin' Games" echoed around the arena -- the crowd sang, danced, laughed and cried through this finale, savouring every last moment of this amazing show, but unfortunatly all good things come to an end as the boys disappeared into the stage one last time many tears were shed.
The BSB's first UK tour was brilliant, but this one truly did prove that they are a cut above the rest -- here's to the next tour Boys! (Don't leave it too long!)
BSB CONCERT SUNDAY JUNE 22, REVIEWED BY NIKKI GIRVAN.
© NIKKI GIRVAN
