Backstreet Boys Far From 'Lonely' in First Show
Source: Pittsburgh Daily News
BY DAVID SALLINGER, Daily News Entertainment Editor
June 26, 2001
At what point will the Backstreet Boys consider themselves Backstreet Men, or at least Backstreet Guys?
Who: Backstreet Boys
Where: Post-Gazette Pavilion
When: Second show tonight, 7:30.
At what point will the Backstreet Boys consider themselves Backstreet Men, or at least Backstreet Guys?
I mean, they've got to keep up with their aging fan base, if the crowd at the far-away Pavilion last night was any indication.
Sure, the packed house was liberally sprinkled with little (some really little) kids and teens who were certain that Brian or Kevin were singing right to them (sometimes they seemed to be).
But it was surprising to see their mothers and occasional grandmas thinking the same thing, on their feet and waving their arms.
That's good for the BBs. Shows they can cross the generational gap and may prove - as a group or individually - they have long-term staying power.
Thoughts crossed one's fevered mind that, once the Backstreet is repaved and the fivesome goes their various ways, A.J. might find a career in comedy, Kevin seems destined for the big screen, Howie and Brian are likely to stick with music. Not quite sure about Nick.
But at the moment, the Boys are happily raking in the coin, er, fans on their "Black and Blue" tour, a color concept somewhat reflected in their variety of costuming.
It's a bit of a quandary writing about this particular concert. Normally, an act hits town and moves on, so we can tell those who couldn't make it all about what they missed. But the Boys return to the Pavilion tonight, so we don't want to give too much away.
Safe to say, the group makes the most of the new facet at the Burgettstown venue: removable stage, which allowed their own gimmicky traveling surface to be installed. With its multi-layered, art deco look, their stage permits the use of elevators that make coming and going a little more 3-D than usual.
Aside from the fact that the troupe isn't the fresh-faced five they once were, their wearables reflect a developing maturity, too - more snazzy suits, a sense of formality (they used canes like a bunch of swells, though the choreography at that point didn't quite match the rhythm of the number) following their show-opening Mr. Roboto-like look.
Problem last night, at least where I was sitting, was that the sound was horrible, probably muddied by the volume and definitely indistinct.
On the plus side, a huge video screen at the rear (looks like something from "Stargate") brought the Boys in from outer space into the concert site (they elevate on platforms that resemble those flyers Dick Tracy used way back in the Sixties when he went to the moon). The screen provided both black-and-white and multi-hued looks at rehearsals and a bit of under-stage silliness.
You do get the idea that, after eight years, the Backstreeters still get along nicely, and they should be commended for devoting a portion of ticket sales to their five foundations devoted to health and environmental issues. One of their self-composed numbers, with supporting video, lobbies heavily against deforestation and pollution. Which means they're not going to be invited to perform at right-wing functions.
If you're going tonight, expect to hear (if you can) favorites like "Larger Than Life," "I Want It That Way" (done a little slower, which works) and, of course, they'll show you the meaning of being lonely.
Starting energetically enough (in a sci-fi vein), much of the show is more restrained and regimented. They interact with the squealers as much as they can, but what they might want to reconsider is the suggestiveness of some of their actions, especially the pelvic thrusting and crotch-grabbing that is way out of place considering who's watching.
Maybe they felt they had to keep up with opening act Shaggy, who defined himself with sexual gyrations that again were inappropriate for the large percentage of youthful viewers.
Shaggy didn't need it, either. Though seemingly surly (breakthrough smiles on occasion hint that's at least partly an image choice), his rock/funk/reggae was interesting enough without resorting to such booty shakin'. Maybe it's his "Blue" tour. His fans hear "Angel" and "Wasn't Me."
Both Shaggy (whose set felt a little long) and the Backstreet Boys are ably supported by strong dancers, the Boys even going for a pleasing ballet moment.
Bottom line is, the Backstreet trip is worth taking. They worked up a sweat, seemed happy to be there, and gave fans live versions of their video hits. Let's hope the audio is better tonight, and let's see where the passage of years takes them next.
Just a hint: Leave home early. It took two hours to get to the Pavilion last night from Monroeville (Parkway gridlock), and another almost half-hour to get down the driveway to the parking lot. As a result, we missed most of the first act; whoever she was, what we were able to catch indicated we'd like to see more of her.
The Boys came on at 9:15, so if you're stuck in traffic, you have a cushion of time.
* * *
It may be a little late to learn this, but just in case you wanted to see tonight's previously sold-out Backstreet performance, there suddenly are tickets available.
No, it's not some nefarious plan to irk you. Word waiting for us this morning was that, after setting up the stage for yesterday's show, it was determined that additional seats and lawn spots would be freed-up.
It's still going to cost you $125 for Gold Circle seating, $69.00 for regular reserved and $30 for lawn tickets. To charge-by-phone, call 412-323-1919.
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