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Toronto Sun Review: 11/11/99, Toronto, ON
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Date: Nov 12, 2099 TORONTO -- The Backstreet Boys delivered a slightly more sedate version of their current Millennium tour last night during a sold-out show at the SkyDome's SkyTent. But do you really think any one of the 29,000 screaming, near-hysterical fans noticed? Probably not. I'm just going by the noticeably shorter buildup last night to the pop quintet's much-anticipated entrance on stage -- via neon-lit boogie boards suspended above the crowd on the floor -- compared to a recent show in Philadelphia, which saw them take a good 15 minutes to make their appearance. Oh well, judging by the deafening roar that greeted the arrival of A.J., Brian, Howie D., Kevin and Nick, the sooner, the better. Backed by a six-person band and 10 dancers on their impressively lit "in the round" stage, the Backstreet Boys' Disney World-like showmanship didn't fail them often as they made their way through 19 songs from three mega-selling albums, including the most recent chart-topper, Millennium. The group, who are big on choreographed moves, costume changes and five-part harmony, are based in Orlando, Florida, after all. Although A.J., sporting a somewhat crazy red dye job, claimed that if he was to move away from Florida, "I would pick Toronto." This was during the "talking" portion of the concert, early on in the show, as each of the Boys addressed the fans separately. In an uncharacteristically somber moment, Kevin asked for -- and got -- a moment of silence in honour of Remembrance Day "and the veterans who gave their lives so that we could live in peace and freedom." Quite a feat, given the hormone-charged atmosphere. Nick, meanwhile, sounded the hoarsest of the five and actually lost his voice by the encore. (Although he and Brian did turn up at the Air Canada Centre's practice facility for the Toronto Raptors yesterday afternoon for a lengthy game of pick-up basketball with ACC staff and some of the Raptors ambassadors.) Kevin also didn't seem to be any worse for wear despite recently re-injuring the shoulder he dislocated in a snowboarding accident late last month. He flew just as well as the other four Backstreet Boys when they were propelled through the air on bungee cords during Quit Playing Games With My Heart. But it was Howie D. who scored the biggest points with the crowd as he showered fans with red roses from a large bouquet in his arms. Another audience-pleasing moment occurred during The Perfect Fan, as five mother-daughter duos were pulled up on stage for a personal serenade. Other highlights included the opening one-two punch of Larger Than Life and Get Down (You're The One For Me), a lightning-and-thunderstorm-drenched Everybody (Backstreet's Back) and Quit Playing Games With My Heart, which produced the first real singalong of the night from those on the floor and in the stands who remained devoutly on their feet throughout the two-hour performance. No doubt all of this added up to a night to remember for Backstreet Boys fans -- if not exactly for their parents, who, in addition to have to shelling out big bucks for concert tickets and merchandise, had to pay $10 for the privilege of hanging out in the designated waiting area in Club Windows. If it's any consolation, the Backstreet Boys show was the concert event of the fall in T.O., having sold out in a mere 28 minutes. Set List
1. Larger Than Life Encores:
18. It's Gotta Be You
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