Backstreet Boys Map Out Summer Tour
Source: Billboard.com and mtv.com
Billboard.com:
The Backstreet Boys have announced the dates and cities for the summer portion of their North American arena tour, which comes in support of the chart-topping smash "Black & Blue" album (Jive). The new leg will get underway June 8 in Orlando, Fla., and wrap Sept. 1 in Little Rock, Ark. Shaggy, whose "Hotshot" (MCA) topped The Billboard 200 last month, will support on all dates.
While fellow boy-band 'N Sync is visiting stadiums on its current tour, the Backstreet Boys decided to continue headlining arenas, based on direct input from their fanbase. "After speaking to our fans, they've told us they want to see us up close and personal," the group's AJ McLean said in a statement. "They want to get as close to us as they can and we intend on giving them exactly what they want."
BSB is currently finishing up West Coast dates and will play the second of two shows in Phoenix tonight (March 13). Prior to the summer dates, the group will hit Mexico, South America, and Puerto Rico.
MTV.com:
What's Black & Blue and Shaggy all over?
The Backstreet Boys' summer tour, which will begin in their hometown of Orlando, Florida, on June 8 with Shaggy as the opening act, according to an announcement from the group.
Though the multiplatinum success of Black & Blue might suggest that the Boys are larger than life as ever, the group promises to keep the shows as intimate as possible. The Boys will continue to include a set where they take a smaller stage in the middle of the floor for part of the show.
Of course, the tour also promises some arena-sized spectacle. Fans can expect the usual pyrotechnics, huge video screens and light show, according to a statement issued by the group.
It won't be the first time Backstreet Boys and Shaggy have appeared on the same bill. The Boys opened up for the dancehall singer on his 1995 European tour.
Backstreet Boys/Shaggy tour dates (venues TBA), according to a Backstreet Boys' spokesperson:
6/8 - Orlando, FL
6/9 - Tampa, FL
6/13 - Raleigh, NC
6/15 - Washington, DC
6/17 - Greensboro, NC
6/20 - Lexington, KY
6/21 - Pittsburgh, PA
6/24 - Columbus, OH
6/26 - Indianapolis, IN
6/29 - Hartford, CT
6/30 - Albany, NY
7/3 - Camden, NJ
7/5 - Hershey, PA
7/9 - Boston, MA
7/13 - Buffalo, NY
7/16 - East Rutherford, NJ
7/21 - Chicago, IL
7/24 - Detroit, MI
8/10 - Portland, OR
8/11 - Seattle, WA
8/13 - San Jose, CA
8/18 - Los Angeles, CA
8/23 - Denver, CO
8/25 - St. Louis, MI
8/27 - Kansas City
8/29 - Houston, TX
8/30 - San Antonio, TX
8/31 - Dallas, TX
9/1 - Little Rock, AK
�Eric Schumacher-Rasmussen
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