Houston Chronicle Fan Reviews 2/28-29/00, Houston, TX (Part III)

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Mar 02, 2000 Source: Houston Chronicle Submitted By: Ivy C March 1, 2000, 4:59PM Still more reviews from fans Backstreet Boys. What is it about those words that send chills up my spine and is responsible for spontaneous acts of immaturity? I'm not sure anyone has that answer, but I'm convinced that The Beatles and the Jackson 5 produced the same intensity for their fans less than thirty years ago. So what is it about "the" five boys, the chosen few, produced at least once every generation that give we teen-agers a voice in a place where we feel no one listens. Who is responsible for that indescribable sense of peace that we take with us to bed every night. So you ask, what could be an explanation for the craze? After witnessing the Backstreet Boys in concert, I realized when you have a group of people together that share the same love for one specific thing, all other ties in society are forgotten. Your age, who you socialize with, your parents occupation, where you live, are all walls broken down by the machinery of music. I can see how these elements may not play an important factor in the lives of an older generation, for you have learned how to stand strong against the winds of the world that try to knock you back. But, they are truths that are constantly judged, and many times cause pain and insecurity in a teena-ger's life. The Backstreet Boys stand together, but as one, and their harmony penetrates from the microphone to the listener, sending a message for us to integrate our dreams for a better future, yet strive for personal success by standing up as an individual at the same time. I agree, their genre of music may only be tolerable for the younger crowd, but it is us who have the power to make this world a better place. I don't know about you, but I want it that way. Jen Morgan, 17, Episcopal High School Dear Houston Chronicle, I went to the Backstreet Boys concert on Feb. 28. It was the greatest experience of my life! My two friends and I were dropped off by my parents, who had bought the tickets for hundreds of dollars. As we neared the doors, I realized that I didn't have my ticket anymore. I was so upset that I almost threw up because I have been a huge Backstreet Boys fan since about 1996 right before they were extremely famous in the states. A very considerate security guard let us use his phone and my parents rushed back. We searched for at least 25 minutes until my dad decided to go to the ticket booth. I almost wasn't able to get in until a very nice lady who I didn't know offered me a free ticket. I am so thankful to her! At the concert, my friend and I held up a sign that said, "I should be the one marrying you, KEVIN!!" and he saw it and waved to us. This concert is something that I will never forget! Whether it be the great dances and awesome effects to the hamonizing songs and Kevin playing the piano, this concert made me and my friends laugh, scream and cry and I will never forget it! Cassie Brasher, 15 Katy, Texas I was lucky enough to go to the Backstreet Boys concert, and thank goodness I did. That was the best concert in the whole entire world. The boys surfed out in the air to the Star Wars Trilogy song. Then they hyped up the crowd with "Larger than Life." The screams did not die down throughout the conert. I think I lost my hearing and my voice. The lighting and sound effects were high quality and awesome. I loved the whole concert. They even surprised the audience at the end by making us wait five minutes and doing an encore. It definately met my expectations and the song I enjoyed the most was "That's The Way I Like It" because all the members were hyper and pumping up the crowd. Their voices showed how talented they were and the dance moves were fabulous. Jessica Mattsson Hi, I loved the concert Monday night. It was so cool when they were coming out of the box on those airboards. It was so much better than there concert in 1998 at the Cynthia Woods (Mitchell Pavilion). I was glad they sang new and old songs. The best part was when the fire came out of the stage and felt like it was burning our eyes. I loved all the lasers and lights too. It was cool when they were flipping on those strings over the crowd. I was so proud of them doing such a large crowd of screaming teens. I loved there clothes that they wore.They look so good in those white shirts, purple vests, and ties,and those striped coats with matching hats and pants. Katie Ledet, 11 Hi there! I'm Erica (Evie, please) and I saw the Backstreet Boys, for the second time, tonight (Feb. 29). My first "Into the Millennium" experience was on the last leg when I won a radio contest to see them in New Orleans, La. I've just gotten home from the venue. My seats were great, they had better be at the price we paid! $100 each... 2 tickets, for my brother and me. The opening acts were a duo called "Jungle Brothers" and a girl named "Willa" was second up. Her full name is Amanda Willaford, hence, her stage name, and she's Nick Carter's girlfriend. (Oh sob!) Okay, past that. The smoke came out and the "Star Wars Theme" began to play. Because of the great seats we had, (Floor 3, Row V) I got some nice snaps of them! They did the usual and nothing too out of the ordinary. The only things I noticed to have changed from the last leg is that they included "It's Gotta Be You" into the encore instead of just "I Want It That Way." Maybe some other little things here and there too... (Don't forget Lionel Richie popping up!) I would like to congratulate them on the great vocals they had throughout the show. Compared to the one in New Orleans, they sang a lot better this time around. They seemed "into it." Also, the Houston crowd was very loud. Much, muh louder than New Orleans. Hey girls! We're gonna keep AJ to his promise and make him live here, all right? Hang tight, Houston. They'll be back... alright! I was in Houston on the 27th & 28th in hopes of catching a small glimpse of the Backstreet Boys, and I thought maybe you would like to hear nmy story. My trip began on Feb. 24 when I left on a airplane from my home in Denver, Colo., and traveled to New Orleans, La., where I would attend my second Backstreet Boys concert in 6 months. Yes, I'm one of those "older" fans that no one ever acknowledges...25 to be exact. Anyway, I spent a day and a half in New Orleans enjoying my trip and keeping my eyes peeled for any sign of the Backstreet Boys. Saturday night I went to the concert in New Orleans, and it was just as good as the first show in Denver. I loved every song they sang and every dance move. After seeing their concert for the second time I realized that they really must love what they do because they seem to put their heart into every performance. The next day my friend and I became tired of Bourbon Street and we wanted to do something adventurous. Needless to say we decided to rent a car and drive 5 hours to Houston in hopes of tracking down the boys. Once we arrived in Houston we stopped at a Kinko's and scouted out the message boards in hopes of gathering some information that might help us with our mission. We left with little info and a great map that detailed the directions to the Compaq Center. We drove within a five- to seven-mile radius of the Compaq Center searching for hotels and any evidence of the boys. Unfortunatley, we didn't find a thing so we checked into the Marriott (West Loop) and waited until later in the evening. At the end of our exciting trip to Houston, we did not meet or even see the boys. Our only glimpse was the morning of the 28th when the trucks carrying the stage pulled into the loading docks of the Compaq Center. We felt a little crazy but on the other hand pleased with ourselves because of the adventure that we created. At one point we were seriously thinking about changing our airline reservations from New Orleans and buying tickets to the Houston show. Unfortunately I'm a college student and had class the next afternoon. So maybe we were not at the concert, but we were there in spirit to support the boys. I'm confident in saying that they always put on a great show! KTBSPA---Keep the Backstreet Pride Alive To many people the meaning of a concert is just a bunch of wild kids going to see their favorite rock band, but to me the meaning of a concert is completely different. From the day the Houston dates were announced for the Backstreet Boys to make appearances I was overexcited and couldn't wait for the day to arrive. I knew I had to go. My best friend and I purchased our tickets online, and we were set. We didn't actually get on the road until 4:30 which I was a little hesitant because I knew I would hit heavy traffic. Somehow, though, we made it to the Compaq Center by 5:45, only to find out that we couldn't enter until 6:30. We had a great time just knowing that we were going to see the "Boys" shortly, and we started talking to the people around us in line. We met some of the greatest people. The fans in front of us had traveled all the way from Spain just to go to the concert. Finally 6:30 got there, and we were let in. I have never been in a building where you could actually feel the anticipation bouncing off the walls, but last night it was obvious. We got to our seats and couldn't believe how perfect they were. The next hour seemed to last forever, but we managed to amuse ourselves. 7:30 arrived and the opening act was ready to take the stage. The Jungle Brothers, a new hip hop duo, were amazing! I couldn't believe how well they worked the crowd and got us all ready for the Backstreet Boys! I was a little hesitant about the second opening act, Amanda Williford, or better known by her stage name Willa Ford. I wasn't quite sure how she would measure up to the Jungle Brothers, but she was awesome! Her dancing was extremely energetic, and her voice was amazing! She worked the crowd just as well as the Jungle Brothers and by the time she was off the stage I was totally ready for BSB to enter. 8:30, the lights dimmed, then went completely off. The crowd went wild! All of a sudden the Backstreet Boys burst out of a curtained area and were flying across the arena towards the stage. From the moment they set foot on the stage the energy level in the Center was a million times higher than just five minutes before. Larger Than Life, the second release from their second album, was what they opened with. The highlights of the show for me were hearing them sing some of their older songs. My favorite BSB song, All I Have To Give, really meant a lot to me. It's a song to a girl who's boyfriend doesn't treat her right, and I can definitely relate to that song. I've had several boyfriends in my time, and have yet have one who knows how to treat me. The highlight of our evening was when AJ looked up in our direction and read a sign we were holding up. At least we're pretty sure he read the sign we were holding. It was a big sign with huge lettering, and he did a double take on it and then blew a kiss in our direction! I personally enjoyed watching the dancers also. My favorite dancer for the Backstreet Boys is Amy Allen, the tireless blonde with her flowing ponytail hitting everyone as she dances! She is my new idol, and hope one day to be just like her. All in all, the concert was astounding. Just being in the same arena as these five outstanding performers was a dream come true! I know I'm not the only person who felt this way, and would like to say on behalf of every person at the Compaq Center both Monday and Tuesday nights a great big thank you to each and every member of the Backstreet Boys as well as their hard working crew, band and dancers! Michelle Fichera 19 LaMarque, TX Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: nice penalty removal FFwCdb Magnificent site. Plenty of helpful information here. I'm sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you in your effort! Submitted by: buy oem software sYGYKp Heartfelt thanks..! Submitted by: snymrik Submitted by: pasparty Submitted by: marvilkg Submitted by: Ann Submitted by: Edd Submitted by: Kelly Comment on this item. Next Item: Houston Chronicle Fan Reviews 2/28-29/00, Houston, TX (Part II) Prev Item: Yo! Houston Review: 2/29/00, Houston, TX