You’ve seen the clips all over social media — inducing major FOMO and prompting last-minute ticket buys — but why all the hype, and why now?

I’ve been a die-hard Backstreet Boys fan since 1997, and let me tell you, being a teenage fan trying to convince your male relatives and friends that BSB were not only talented but totally cool was no easy feat. The late ’90s, like many eras before, were full of macho men afraid of anything “cheesy” or “gay” — a word often (and wrongly) used back then to dismiss something as unmanly or uncool. Five guys wearing matching outfits, singing in perfect harmony, and doing choreographed dance routines seemed like the opposite of masculine to those men — even though Nick, AJ, Brian, Howie, and Kevin were making millions of women swoon.

Needless to say, my first Millennium tour experience in 1999 was a far cry from what I saw at the two back-to-back shows I attended at the Sphere this summer.

Imagine a sea of excited concertgoers all wearing white or Backstreet Boys T-shirts. Sounds like any regular BSB show, right? But this wasn’t your typical boy band crowd. There were way more men than usual, and the audience was more diverse than ever — from longtime fans like me and my friends who’ve seen them countless times, to first-timers, to tourists simply looking for an entertaining night.

I saw a bride and groom — both sporting Millennium white, of course — in line for food with souvenir cups in hand. I chatted with a 60-something woman from London in the (incredibly long) bathroom line; she was with her husband celebrating their anniversary. I even spotted one guy wearing an *NSYNC shirt because he lost a bet.

There was no cattiness or hate in that audience — it was pure love and nostalgia. Hordes of people sang BSB songs throughout the Venetian after the show. We all shared a bond.

This was what was worth it for me.

Don’t get me wrong — the Backstreet Boys are always flawless live. They entertain, they sound amazing, they never disappoint. However, this show was shorter than your typical concert at about 130 minutes due to it being a “concept” show. The visuals were wild — and I experienced them both from the floor in general admission and from a seat in Section 106 — but they were also distracting. And at times, kind of odd… yes, I’m talking about the creepy frozen BSB faces in the mountains during “Siberia.”

I did love the re-filming of the “Get Down” music video since the Sphere could mimic the original disco ball effect. I also appreciated the personal photos shared throughout the show, especially during “The Perfect Fan,” which made me tear up.

When I see a band live — especially my favorite band (cough Backstreet Boys cough) — I like to focus on them on stage and watch their interactions with each other and the crowd. The Sphere’s high-tech effects, as impressive as they were, sometimes pulled my attention away from that.

That said, I don’t regret going for a second. I was blown away by the scope of the production, even if I still prefer a more stripped-back concert experience where the music and performance take center stage. Backstreet Boys at the Sphere was ambitious, groundbreaking, and unlike anything I’ve ever seen them do before. It proved they’re not just boy band veterans — they’re true entertainment icons capable of evolving with the times while still giving fans the hits they love.

And for me, it also proved something else — that every classmate, coworker, or relative who once rolled their eyes at my Backstreet devotion was wrong. The Backstreet Boys aren’t just still around. They’re bigger, bolder, and cooler than ever. And I was there to witness it.

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Sandy Lo

Sandy Lo is an author, blogger, journalist, and digital strategist. Her personal story is inspiring. Sandy started StarShine Magazine, an online publication in 2001, at the age of 18. She wrote her first novel in 2009, “Lost In You,” followed by the “Dream Catchers” Series. She was the first person ever to professionally interview Taylor Swift and has received personal endorsements for her books from members of boy bands Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees.

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