Toronto Sun Review: 3/15/00, Toronto, ON

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Mar 17, 2000 Source: Toronto Sun Submitted By: Gina A Backstreet love-in By JANE STEVENSON -- Toronto Sun TORONTO -- "Oh my God, we're back again," sang Backstreet Boys member A.J. McLean last night at SkyDome during the showstopping number, Everybody (Backstreet's Back). Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing. But there they were in concert -- the Backstreet Boys -- a mere five months after playing the same show at the same venue. The return engagement was heartily welcomed by Toronto fans -- 35,000 of them, in fact -- who screamed hysterically, waved banners and jumped up and down for the entire two-hour performance. There was some added significance to the concert, given last night's show was the official end of the Backstreet Boys' hugely successful Millennium tour, so-called for their pop album of the same name, which has sold 30 million copies worldwide. For their part, the fresh-faced Florida fivesome -- McLean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson and Nick Carter -- made some some minor adjustments this time out. There was a slight change in costumes -- more futuristic, the Boys claimed -- to perhaps reflect their comic book superhero counterparts created by Carter and Stan Lee (Spiderman). The first installment in the comic book series was being sold at the Backstreet Boys shows or on the Internet at www.backstreetproject.com. Before the show began, there was a preview on four video screens -- above their in-the-round stage -- of the animated version, which is scheduled to be shown on the Net only, starting in June. But back to the concert -- an over-the-top, highly choreographed and costumed affair that involved the Boys making their entrance on neon-lit, suspended boogie boards to the sound of the Star Wars' theme and ear-piercing screams. That was followed by lots of bright lights, smoke, flames, silver confetti and plenty of emoting on the Boys' part, particularly during their individual chats with the crowd. "This is the last show of our Millennium tour, and I guess we picked Toronto because we love you all so much," said Carter. "Since this is the last show, you might see some crazy things on stage." Like maybe McLean's bad yellow and blue hair-dye job? Kidding. (Anyway, he eventually covered it up with a black leather cowboy hat during Don't Wanna Lose You Now, only to toss into the crowd during the next song, Quit Playing Games With My Heart, a tune that ended with the five Boys suspended over the audience on invisible wires.) Meanwhile, Littrell said he was feeling a little in awe of the large gathering. "We've done about 170 shows on the Millennium tour, and standing in front of an audience like this, I get the jitters like it's the very first time," he said. But there were no sign of nerves on the part of any of the Boys, who were backed by a six-person band and 10 dancers. And, unlike last time, Carter -- who sings lead on most of the songs along with Littrell -- didn't lose his voice towards the end of the show. He even got behind the drum kit for Back To Your Heart, while Richardson played a white piano on a raised platform above the stage. Otherwise, the Backstreet Boys got downright goofy at times, making fun of their own dance moves during As Long As You Love Me. They also appeared for the big encore number, I Want It That Way, in various stages of undress -- McLean bare chested, Richardson in a blue robe and Dorough with his long, wavy hair out of its perennial ponytail. "We're going back into the laboratory to make a new album," said Richardson earlier in the evening. "You might not see us for a while, but that doesn't mean we're not working. So don't forget about us." As if any Backstreet Boys fan could. Set List Larger Than Life Get Down (You're The One For Me) The One As Long As You Love Me Don't Wanna Lose You Now Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) Don't Want You Back The Perfect Fan Back To Your Heart Everybody (Backstreet's Back) We've Got It Goin' On That's The Way I Like It Spanish Eyes I'll Never Break Your Heart No One Else Comes Close All I Have To Give Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely Encores It's Gotta Be You I Want It That Way Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: ppionerka Submitted by: cirkyl Submitted by: utilizera Submitted by: Monika Submitted by: Antony Submitted by: Joe Submitted by: Ann Elisabeth Submitted by: Dirk Submitted by: Greg Guepy Comment on this item. Next Item: Hamilton Spectator Review: 3/14/00, Hamilton, ON Prev Item: Toronto Star Review: 3/15/00, Toronto, ON