Backstreet Boys know how to please fans
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Click here to see pictures from the Pittsburgh show
Tuesday, June 26, 2001
By John Young
The song you're hearing? Well, it "goes out to you, wherever you are." And have we told you not to be so self-conscious? After all, "what makes you different makes you beautiful."
Using platitudes such as these, the Backstreet Boys kept 18,259 concertgoers enthralled last night at the first of two Post Gazette Pavilion shows. The show tonight is sold out.
The key, of course, is to keep the messages so broad that anyone could think each song is being sung just to them. "I don't care who you are or where you're from or what you did," the Boys sang earnestly, reprising one of their first hits, "as long as you love me" -- and, presumably, keep buying concert tickets, CDs and merchandise.
Crass as the marketing campaign might be, you can't argue with its success. O-Town, L.F.O., 98 Degrees and Hanson are mere pretenders to the boy band throne. 'N Sync runs a close second. But Backstreet Boys emerged first from this era's pack -- eight years ago, they noted onstage -- and they still outdistance their competition.
Despite it being a part of their very band name, it is a bit silly calling them "boys" anymore. Kevin Richardson could pass for being 35 years old, and A.J. McLean's hairline is visibly receding. To their credit, however, the Backstreeters do less of the preening and disco-lite dance steps that define some of the scene's lesser lights, so they've aged with a bit of grace.
The energy of the show never ebbed. The concert opened with pyrotechnics. A scene of asteroids falling to earth appeared on a giant, circular video screen; suddenly fireworks made it appear as if the space debris was striking the stage. The band members appeared through a dry ice haze standing on individual risers and were soon jumping about in twirling black overcoats. The futuristic vibe permeated most of the show which also included a woman dancing before images of a fiery, red sun and a mock interview with the band -- in bad "old man" make-up -- circa 2050.
The Backstreet Boys also often went through the requisite all-too-frequent costume changes. They wore all black, save red tunics and shades (don't ask why) during "Not for Me." Blue suits gave way to powder blue tank tops during a medley of early songs like "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," "I'll Never Break Your Heart" and the aforementioned "As Long As You Love Me."
Video clips usually formed a transition while the Boys changed clothes. One segment, which was to simulate them getting dressed below the stage, couldn't have been more confusing (they all talked at the same time) or boring (they all tried to use a mirror at once, they all rode A.J. for being so "wild"). The video of the band filming the video for "I Want It That Way" just pointed up how little energy the group invested in actually performing their classic (so says Rolling Stone) single; they let the audience do most of the work and cut the tune short before rushing off to put on more outfits.
If the concert was a bit ballad-heavy, fans didn't seem to mind. In fact, the band saved the slow "Shape of My Heart" for the climax of the show and it was received enthusiastically. Of course it didn't hurt that they had just upped the tension with a long, talk-filled version of "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)."
Two very different acts warmed up the crowd early. Singer Krystal, on the Backstreet Boys' record label, performed alone to recorded music. She did add a bit of live keyboard work, her synthesizer hidden in the shell of a fake white piano she pounded and stood on. Her tunes like "Supergirl" were fine, slightly soulful fare and much better than an ill-advised Mariah Carey-style cover of the Jacksons' "I'll Be There" with which she closed.
Shaggy got the crowd in a party mood with his silly hits "Angel" and "Wasn't Me." Stealing the hooks of other songs a la Will Smith and P-Diddy, Shaggy floated parts of "Let's Get It On," "Angel of the Morning" and "Shake Your Body Down to the Ground" through "his" material. While Shaggy's throaty toasting was fun, backup singer Ricardo "RikRok" Ducent did most of the real vocal work on "Wasn't Me" and the lightly raunchy "Freaky Girl."
A fair portion of the crowd appeared to have missed the opening acts. Traffic was slow getting to the pavilion, the seemingly neverending construction on Route 22/30 causing delays.
Still, good weather and good vibes awaited, and a calm, happy mood pervaded the pavilion. Their calculated songs and pandering patter might not add up to anything substantial, but the Backstreet Boys can certainly entertain the masses. At least until 'N Sync christens Heinz Field, the Boys wear the slightly ill-fitting boy band crown.
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John Young is a free-lance writer.
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