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2 December 2009
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Music Reviews

Backstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys: live review

Review: Si Baines, Photos: Jon Blakely, site users
Site user Si isn't a boy band fan. Nevertheless he got dragged along to a Backstreet Boys concert, and secretly, we think he quite enjoyed it. Here's his review...

Backstreet Boys, 25 October, NEC

Backstreet Boys

First I want to point out that the normal kind of gig I would go to would be something like Stereophonics, Skin, Franz Ferdinand or James Blunt. So, this isn’t going to be your average review.

Blokes

The most noticeable thing about this crowd, is not the fact that they’re mostly screaming women – that’s obvious - but more so than that, the number of blokes that are here. Granted, a few will be here because they're fans. But most of them have been dragged here, clearly against their will, by their girlfriends.

And in this review, I’m going to try and get across what it’s like for us poor blokes who have to come and watch boy bands.

Backstreet Boys

Secondly, I’ll tell you what I was expecting. Huge sets, overly produced lighting, and OTT costume changes. I imagine there’ll be some stools in here at some point, and I’m not talking about the girls in here getting overly excited.

Finally, I think after taking a career break, these guys may look a little old and out of shape to be referred to as boys. But, we’ll see. I take my place in front of the stage (ooh I’ll be able to smell them) and prepare myself for what’s about to begin…

What time is it? No, it’s not Chico time. It’s 8:30. Right on time, the lights go down. The large video screens show old footage of the group, as dramatic music kicks in. This goes on for a few minutes (although it feels longer, both to me and no doubt the excited crowd).

Backstreet Boys

At last, the five appear (don’t know their names) as they march, in time, down the central staircase. Taking their places in front of their mic stands, they launch into “The Call”. I’m not sure what is more deafening – the music blasting out in front of me, the fireworks going off on stage, or the crowd behind me.

Choreography

The first few songs kinda merge into one, with the middle one being something about a beautiful woman and the last one being “More than This”. All of these bits are choreographed, in the sense that they’re all moving in time. No major dance routines as such. At this point, we go and take seats in the auditorium.

“Hello UK!!”. Has nobody told them they’re in Birmingham? Next there’s a song called “I’ll be the one”, during which, randomly, one of them launches into “I like to move it”. Possibly a tribute to that bit in the film Madagascar. This is another choreographed number.

Backstreet Boys

After this, there’s an overly long video sequence. They’re obviously getting changed into new outfits, but they’re taking their time about it and I think the two girls directly in front of us are actually going to burst in a minute. Alas, they return in matching black outfits.

Stools

What’s that on stage? Ah, its five stools. I knew it! To their credit though, there is no point when they all stand up on the key change.

Not all of the songs are choreographed, and for these, the group all do their own thing. Each one looks like they’re desperate to be taken as being the best singer. One of them, whom I’m told is Brian, looks like he’s constipated. The rest look like X-Factor contestants, desperate to be liked.

Backstreet Boys

It’s 45 minutes before 'I Want It That Way' (That’s a song title not a statement). This is the first time the audience seem to know the words to anything, and they sing it back at volume. The glowsticks are going mental. Unfortunately for me, all I can hear in my head is the parody version of this song, which you may or may not know. It’s also the first song that stands out as having a tune.

I think the overall problem here, is that there are two categories to the songs; there are the ballads, or the upbeat numbers, but all of them within just sound the same.

Highlights for the girls are clearly the older tunes, Quit Playing Games, Everybody and Larger Than Life to mention a few. The only things I can commend them on really is the fact that they can sing. But then, 4tune could sing and look where they’ve ended up.

Backstreet Boys

On the downside, during the dance routine the guys look like drunken lads at a wedding, and when they’re not doing a routine the whole thing just looks unrehearsed. As for the lack of extravagant costumes and sets, I can only put that down to them wanting to be taken more seriously. Desperately so. And that is literally written all over their faces.

So, I’m not saying they were bad. Because they could obviously sing, it was all live, and the audience were loving it. But girls, remember when you drag your bloke along to a gig like this, you owe them one!

If you don’t agree with my review, please leave your own by filling out the section beneath. You can also enjoy the photos that we took in our Backstreet Boys gallery.

last updated: 29/11/05

Have Your Say

Did you see the Backstreet Boys in Birmingham? Tell us about it here.

Bex, Devon
BSB are awesome live, It was a very good concert and i cant wait for the one in a few weeks...back to Birmingham i go:)

frot
This review is hilarious!

Jo
Your review is hilarious! Could u be more funny? I mean, I'm a bsb fan myself, but guys! a little sense of humor?

tesh
i have grown up listening to their songs.No matter what i still think they are the best.AJ ROCKS

leanne..been a fan for yeeeeeeaaaaars!
i saw bsb @ nec and i av seen them 3 times now and they av NEVER dissapointed...kisses to aj... i love u xxxxx gud review si!!!!!

Heather
Shame a ticket to one of the most brilliant concerts ever was wasted on a critic who was just too scared to give a good reveiw in case his mates laughed at him , should he say the concert was great.BSB are excellent...their music stands the test of time ....80 million album sales speaks for itself...Welcome back BSB~You have been so missed Your music makes me so happy. I hope you'll be "Never Gone" from the music scene again :-) BSB ROCKS !!!!!!ps Amazing photo's thxs

linz
when are you coming back to brum? 2007

fahad akhand
I WANT BACKSTREET BOYS TO PERFORME IN BANGLADESH !

jess n charlee
u r our fire ou 1 desire !!! lol xx

hasina
backstreet boys are the best. no boy band can beat them. they rock.xxxx

b
i love the boys! i always will esp nick

craig carter
not a good review of a band that is the biggest boy band ever,and 1 of the biggest bands of all time,80 million albums sold worldwide,say no more moyles.

lisseth
i just want to say that the bsb are the best boyband of the world. i wish i could go to a concert again it's the best experience. kiss to nick I LOVE HIM. bye!

Khine Yu Wai,Myanmar
I'm so sorry that I didn't have the chance like this.I like them so much forever.I wanna meet with them really in one time.They'll be always in my heart.I wish them to sucess more than now.

emily albert
i love you so much the backstreet-boys and nick and brian too so much

howie i love you
Bsb 4ever in my heart

haley
i have been to a lot of concerts in my time but this one was one of the best. They can sing which is rare and they have been around a lot longer than most bands which last maybe max 2years before disappearing.i therefore, hope they continue and the people that critise them i'd like to see if they can achieve what they can.

number 1 fan of blackstreet boys
i really loved all the boys in blackstreet boys.you should of seen my bedroom.If icould i would tell them if they could come back i love thm to bits

amieleigh rae
i love you nick carter

angel padula
i like the backstreet boys and will always

ayesha
i raelly miss the old backstreetboyd but it dosent mean i dont like them any more and bay the way nick carter is so so so so so so so so so hot

Annika Schell
No, not in Birmingham, but in Germany/Mannheim it was so great to see the guys. Specially Nicholas and the show was so awsome.

Rukawa
VERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!CONCERT ALL OVER THE UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lily
i didnt c them in birmingham but i seen them in manchester and they were brill there

Jessica
I am sad to say that I did not get the chance to go.But I will love to meet the backstreet boys one day.I got there new cd NEVER GONE and it was like being there.Lots of love guys.

laura gale
I love the back street boys

Jessica
No I did not get the chance to go.So sad.But I would like to welcome the backstreet boys back with open arms.We missed you so much.All I can say is it is about time you all came back.lol.Love you all. Your number one fan, Jessica Fosnaugh

Nicola
they are pretty cool and the best song is drowning

Lakshay Gupta
It is an avarge band........

TROY BOLTON
i like song incomplete

Martha Mooney
I didnt get to see Backstreet Boys, I live In scotland. I have never meet BSB. When they were on tour last year, I was hope to get to see them in action in the SECC IN GLASGOW. But they didn't come to Scotland, which is a shame, because they Have lots and lots of fans, here too, aswell as germany,etc. Love you AJ!!!.xxx.want to meet you!!please come to Scotland!!. Bye Martha.xxx.

anna chewit
i can't believe it there back WOW what a wait it has been till the finals finally come back i can't believe it . I went to see the lads to it was amazing and i nearly started to cry coz its been a while now there back and they are going to be bad aagin

louise
i went to see the boys at wembly and it was the most amazing night ever.They were excellent live and the songs were fantastic old and new. in wmbly every sang along to every song its was the bomb they are and always will be hot as

Lucia Nicole
Backstreet boys son magnificos ,estúpendos,sus canciones llegan al alma,los admiro. SON únicos no existe ningún grupo mejor que ustedes en el mundo. Espero que vuelvan a CHILE para tener el privilegio de conocerlos y admirar su belleza musical. Cuando estoy triste al escuchar su música me levanta el ánimo para seguir adelante. Se despide una fiel admiradora chilena de Backstreet boys.

clare and rachel
backstreet boys r AMAZING! and jesse mccartenys great too

megan
just to let you know there's kevin, howie, aj, nick and brian. plus, bsb are amazing singers, they have come through so much together and their fashion sense has improved!!backstreet boys are not just for women... they are for evryone. # They may not be like greenday or kaiser chiefs but they ARE so much more than that. They are friends and have lived through years of fame. So, BSB... U ROCK!

alex
i really love the backstreet boys and i totally hate the misconcept of the boybands.it's some thing that the critics developed to make their reviews interesting for the older crowds.if there's a group of people like those "bubblegum" songs,let them hear it.the backstreet boys have won fans all around the world and they deserve it.i appreciate the above review,i think he spoke his heart.BSB rocks

annemarie hewitt
it think that the boys put in an effort not they were all amazing to see again in along period of time and a am happy to see them back again backstreet back

louise
the concert was amazing,they sounded gr8 live and prooved 2 thier fans they can still perform well.and i met kevin afterwards so i was V V happy!!!

melissa
i love the bsb c un groupe vraiment excellent je leur souhaite une longue carriere et kil reussissent

enwyn
I'm well jealous were you at the front? The kevin photos are well goodx

Jon Blakely; Photographer
What did everyone think of the photographs..?

pablo
the gig was amazin i wanna c them again

Cynthia
Of course they can sing, and their song are very distinctive... I'm searcher in musicology and specialist in popular music and... the Backstreet Boys are real performers with real songs and music; to me, they deserve to be respected for all the work they do, for their talent, their record sellings and their kindness... when you don't know what you're speaking about. Thank You.

Krysta
I went to see them in Birmingham and I have waited 12years to do it! It was worth the wait as I will never forget that night as long as I live. Another thing to tick of my must do list. lol Also how do I get to the gallery with their pictures in?

Jaqui
Dawn has a good point, i think the writer had his tongue well in his cheek... and if you read it, hes not saying anything that deserves a lynching. maybe they wanted this reaction? although dawn, i think your sense of humour has also fell by the wayside abit. jaqui, birmingham

*
Dawn, lighten up! i feel sorry for the man who has to put up with your moaning!

Dawn
Oh dear God! I'm absolutely horrified by the irrational reaction by an awful lot of these women to a review about the Back Street Boys. These women who are obviously fully grown, fawning over four/five guys like they are gods and lambasting Si Baines as though he had committed a most henious act by not giving them a glowing report of performance godliness. Even more worryingly, one of these 'women' has a three year old child! Speaking as a woman of a certain age - not yet old, but old enough to know better (i.e. over 20 years old) I dispair! Men: If this is what is on offer, I feel sorry for you for there is very slim pickings indeed if you prefer the more mature-minded woman who can hold an intellectual conversation. Ladies: For goodness sake, a bit of pespective, please, it's only a boy-band. Stop making us all a laughing stock!

kenny
I think the review is funny and accurate. i dont think this guy was slating them, if you read it propperly he's not saying that they were rubbish. My girlfriend wants the photos though and shes jealous she werent at the front!! kenny

LEEANNE
"A REAL MAN" IF YOU WERE SUCH A REAL MAN? what on earth are you doing reading a b.s.b reveiw in the first place????? i think you got a secret!!!

Melanie
I've grown up with listening to the bsb every since my sister got the first song so when I saw them OMG! I died, I loved every bit of it, alto the lights did blide you but every bit of it was great. Nothing was wrong with it. This feels to me as your being bias just because you don't like boy bands doesn't mean others do.

Graham
Saw them in Manchester the night before. I do not like boy bands, more into Mr Bungle, Killers and Metallica, but for you to suggest that they did not give a polished, professional performance that would put all other bands of that ganre to shame is disingenous in the least. One of the best concerts I've ever seen and I would actually travel far to see them again.

julie loves jim
i thought the review was ace, and would love to take my boyfriend, Jim along!!!!!

Katherine Clay
This review is spot on... really funny and i disagree with Sam, i think it is hilarious!

Leeanne
The best bit of the night for me had to be when Brians son Baylee appeared on stage! WHAT A KUTTIE PIE:)

Leeanne
The boys were great Tuesday night! i felt just like i did when i was 15! AND THAT MADE THE NIGHT TOTALLY SPECIAL!! Good work boys!!!!

Leeanne
I took my 3 year old son to watch them, he loved it and so did i. it just goes to show what a wide audience the boys appeal to! LEAVE THEM ALONE! They done a great job the other night, and they done it all with out their zima frames!!!

edwina
it was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LisaL
Backstreet Boys rule! The fact that they've been together 12 years and can still fill arenas the size of the NEC in Birmingham is a credit to them. I can understand why a bloke might not enjoy the show as much as a girl, so next time, get your girlfriend to take someone else with her!

Vicki Angel
At 23, seeing the BSB was like reliving my school years again, they still rock! Backstreet are definitely back!

Sam
I saw the concert and loved it, even if I'm not a "fangirl" of the group and I'm no teenie. And I wasn't screaming. This review is a bit lame,this guy tries too much to be funny and smart when instead what he writes is nothing new and very boring. Of course if you don't like a group and their music you will never like their concert. So I wonder what's the point in writing this?

Lauren
BACKSTREET IS BACK! BTW it's "More than that" and "The One"

James
I was dragged along with my g/friend expecting a cheesy boyband gig, and left a bit of a fan. the boys can't half belt out a tune. after seeing a really poor David Gray gig at the Academy last month, the Backstreet Boys were excellent. im a big radio fan, and didn't realise how many of their tunes i'd actually heard before and quite liked. if im honest, i would definately go and see them again. good job lads.

Fate
Brian constipated? Naw..That was cold man.

Dalbz
best experience ever, they started with a classic and ended with a classic! the lads have never gone and never will go!! nice girls there as well!

Alexis
He he, you're so right and I've been telling my friends this for ages; they should be called the Backstreet men! Poor you man, poor you! :-)

bananawoman
cool photos

Clo
I saw them with my frend and they were brilliant!! i was too young to see them when they were around before, but if i hadn't have gone i think i might've regretted it forever. they ended the night with BACKSTREETS BACK and it was just awsome. i felt ill that night but they really cheered me up. You blatantly know you enjoyed it and sung along to everything. i usually go to rock gigs but this was gr8 4 reliving my childhood and im only 15!!

Jennie
OMG!!!! IT WAS SOOOOOOO AMAZING!! I was there with my mate at it was absolutley brilliant!! The bestest concert EVER!!!! they are fantastic, i would definately go again!! WOO BSB!!

A Real Man
I would have dropped the Missus off at the gig, and gone somwhere else for a couple of hours myself!

katy H
This review is hilarious!

P.Bergeroo
OH MY GOD! Didn't they split up years ago????!!!??? What is the world coming to... Surely not a shameless group reformation cash in...