Best-selling group in boy band history, The Backstreet Boys, returned to Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada for their fourth weekend on August 1. The quintessential Y2K group embarked on a 21-date residency in July, inspired by their fourth concert tour and the 25th anniversary of their third album, aptly titled “Into the Millennium.”
Butterfly hair clips, blue rimless sunglasses, bedazzled white tops, white button downs, and holographic cargo pants — these are just a few of the outfit combinations that could be witnessed after entering the 20,000 capacity venue on Friday evening. Per the official social media request of the group itself, fans were asked to appear in their best white (or blue, in some cases) attire in keeping with the Millennium theme. It’s safe to say the message was received, as the moment you entered the arena, you were greeted by a sea of white — from the 400 level all the way down to the General Admission floor.
Photo Credit: Rich Fury for Sphere Entertainment
As attendees made their way into their seats, a 10-minute countdown was projected onto each corner of the Sphere’s massive 160,000 square foot screen. After the countdown completed, the space-station mid-screen began to ascend and you’re instantly transported into Outer Space in an incredibly immersive, albeit intense visual transition, complete with seat haptics that were reminiscent of a motion simulator ride at a theme park. Pop pioneers Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson materialized in all-white ensembles at the front of the stage for their seminal classic, “Larger Than Life.”
Over the course of the next two hours, fans were treated to a 25-song setlist complete with timeless ballads, late 90s ear-worms, fan-favorites, and even newly released material — all accompanied by the mesmerizing and enthralling visuals that the one-of-a-kind venue has to offer.
Photo Credit: Curtis Vadnais
“I wanna know, how many of you have been to a Backstreet Boys show before?” member Littrell inquired mid-set. “Me too!” he quipped. It’s worth noting that despite experiencing significant vocal struggles in recent years, Littrell persevered — delivering some of the most memorable and consistent high notes of the entire night. There was clearly no shortage of crowd interaction or humor, either.
“We’re here to celebrate 25 years of the Millennium record! Thank you for showing out tonight in the white [attire] and keeping that Backstreet Pride alive!” Dorough expressed to the Friday night crowd.
Not missing a single beat, the “Back to Your Heart” crooners breezed through a number of memorable performances, featuring hits such as “It’s Gotta Be You,” “As Long As You Love Me,” “More Than That,” “Shape of My Heart,” and of course, “I Want It That Way.” The latter number was performed as the stage transformed into an elevated platform, providing an intimate experience for those in the upper levels and bringing the group centerstage.
Other pivotal moments of the night included a sentimental tribute to the Moms in the audience (“The Perfect Fan”) and a take-you-to-church-inspired rendition of “Drowning.”
Photo Credit: Rich Fury for Sphere Entertainment
Notably, despite modern day artists having an encore for majority of their live performances, the “Into the Millennium” setlist doesn’t feature one. It was an interesting creative decision to see the rather seamless transition from Black and Blue’s “The Call” into the 1997 single “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” — one that could have definitely benefitted from a bit of momentum, given it’s renowned introduction. Despite this, every single attendee was out of their seat and dancing for the iconic closing number, complete with original choreography, lasers, pyrotechnics, and confetti. It was a satiating moment for all millennials and the like in the room, to say the very least.
The “Into the Millennium” residency is currently scheduled to conclude on August 24 of this year. An accompanying pop-up experience titled the Backstreet Boys Terminal, complete with unique photo-ops, exclusive residency merchandise, and a plethora of early 2000s collectibles and artifacts on display, runs concurrently to the residency in the adjacent Venetian Resort Las Vegas.
Given its limited run, increased demand from social media content, and a skyrocketing secondary market as a result, securing a seat has proven itself a challenge since tickets went on sale this past February. If you’re able to get your hands on a ticket, it’s a spectacle not to be missed. Whether you’re on the General Admission floor closest to the action or the 300-400 levels with the best views of the visual production, you’re guaranteed to have an unparalleled experience, encompassing all that the Sphere has to provide. There’s still time to catch the residency before it departs this galaxy for good, so visit www.sphere.backstreetboys.com for more information.
A special thank you to Live Nation Las Vegas and The Lede Company for having us out to review!
