Concert day came and we all met up to head over to American Airlines center. My mom was super excited, but wasn't sure which band we were going to see....she mentioned both the 98 degrees and Boyz II Men. I had to inform her that we weren't going to see either of those bands. We then played the NKOTBSB cd in the car on the way over so she could familiarize herself with their songs. I have to admit, I was a little young for New Kids on the Block growing up, so I had listened to the cd during the week to familiarize myself with their other songs besides just "Step by Step" and "Hangin'Tough". However, Rachael, Sarah's sister, was a New Kids fan as she is a couple years oler than us. Together, we had all angles covered.
I ended up having an extra ticket to the concert because Heidi was supposed to go, but had to cancel last minute. Casey had no desire to see NKOTBSB (what was she thinking!) My friend Lindsay called to see if I wanted to go on a walk. I told her that I had a little bit better of an offer than a walk...how about a free ticket to NKOTBSB? She was so excited and said she could be ready in 10 minutes. She showed up and off we went.
A few of my friends from work had asked me to go with them to the concert about a month before. I laughed when I told them I already had tickets and was going with my mom. But they made sure to get seats right by us. They were super stars and dressed in their full on 80s attire (Catherine even had a large Joey button attached to her shirt....so cute!) We met up by the merchandise table before the concert started (where I secretly wanted to buy a shirt but refrained....I still regret it....I might buy one online....)
Below are my friends from work: Catherine, Lindsay, Anneliese, and me. Why did someone not tell me to put my drink down?
Here we are in our seats: Lindsay, me, Sarah, Rachael, and Nance. Little did we know how good these seats were....
Then the concert started. Now let me just tell you, I didn't have that high of expectations. As much as I love BSB, it has been like 15 years since they were big and even longer for NKOTBSB. And my favorite member was Kevin Richardson, who sadly did not join the group for the reunion tour (man, what an idiot). I expected them to come out, do some songs with their old dance moves, maybe sing one or two songs together and that would be it. Oh no. This was WAY more than that.
The opening number was huge and lasted about 10 minutes. The show lasted over 2 hours, with a 15 minute finale. The bands sang all of their original songs along with some new stuff and the finale was a battle between BSB singing "Everybody" and NKOTB singing "Hangin' Tough". It was freaking awesome!
There were two main stages with a long runway between them. The two bands switched back and forth from the two stages and the stages raised up and down, there was fog everywhere, flashing strobe lights, fire and other pyrotechnics, major glitterized tops, hats, and shoes, 9 guys running around singing and dancing their butts off. It was out of control! In a really good way.
Some take-aways:
1) While the boys are older, they are all still in great shape and look great....especially Donnie Wahlberg who ripped his shirt off twice.
2) They can all still dance....like really good....only thing is there was a lot more pelvic thrusting and grabbing than I ever remember when watching their videos when I was younger. Especially by Donnie Wahlberg and Nick Carter.
3) I forgot how great their songs were...swoon!
4) The crowd was great. It consisted mainly of 25 - 40 year old women, some gay men, and then some couples with straight guys that obviously hated their lives. There was also the one off dad who brought his young daughter....so sweet. Anyways, everyone in the crowd knew every word to every song, which made them all that more enjoyable.
5) Our seats were great! So, I must say I bought the tickets so randomly I didn't realize our seats were in front of the second stage. Well, at one point in time during the concert the BSB boys picked an aisle to come down before they went to the stage....that aisle just happened to be my aisle...and our seats were on the end! Not gonna lie, it was awesome. I got to touch both Nick Carter and Brian Littrell while they walked down and sang "Shape of my Heart".
Now I'm not going to hold anything back, I loved Brian in middle school. He was my second favorite BSB member after Kevin. But Nick Carter? Not so much. I thought he was ok, but then he grew up and the only thing I can put my finger on with him is that he sometimes is on the Carter reality show that doesn't air anymore and he dated Paris Hilton a few years ago....that's really it. Well when he walked by you would have thought it was freaking Patrick Dempsey or something. I was swooning....it was a little embarrassing. I shook his hand, and when I say shook, I mean attempted to hold. Anyways, this only lasted a second and then he was gone. I thought, oh well, I got a good picture and moved on.
Right after this occurred my phone blew up with text messages. I hadn't even thought of it but when Nick walked by I was on the jumbotron....OMG....so now 20,000 people saw me freak out over Nick Carter, and I don't even care for him. I was just caught up in the moment. What I didn't realize is how many other people that know me were at the concert. I received no less than 5 mesages in 5 minutes. The texts varied from "I saw you on the big screen" to "Emily....Nick Carter....seriously?". But I thought about it some more and decided I am not ashamed. I got to freaking hold Nick Carter's hand....I decided to wait a day to take a shower.
6) As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed the concert. After it was over, we waited by the tour buses and got to see Howie from BSB and Jordan Knight from NKOTB walk out and to their bus. There were 13 buses. We decided that they all probably had their own and made the stage hands share.
7) After all this excitement we decided to head home. The consensus amongst all of us....best concert ever! I am serious, on a scale of 1 - 10, it was a 15! Sarah and I both decided that we would pay the $100 ticket fee tomorrow and drive to another city to see them again if necessary. It was that good. And my friend Lindsay said that she was officially a teeny bopper, 10 years too late. And my mom said that she really liked the show, but she thought there were 5 members in Backstreet Boys. I told her we would discuss that later.
Ok I won't bore you with anymore chatter. Here are some of the best pics from the night:
The opening number. Notice Joey McIntyre in his cutoff vest. Major glitter required. (Mom also got confused here because she thought that Joey was Joey Fatone...I had to tell her that was NSync, and that we weren't seeing them).
Working the runway.
One of the two stages, with fog enhancement.
BSB performing in their satin suits. Their outfits were really out of control.
Donnie Wahlberg singing "Covergirl". After he literally ripped his shirt off. I mean the man is in his 40s and still has a 6 pack.
He's still got it, and he knows it.
My interaction with Brian Littrell. Mom also got to shake his hand and she kept going, "He was looking at me Emily". Mom lay off, he is married.
Nick Carter. Apparently my new crush.
Finale of the concert. They finished all wearing Mavs jerseys. It was pretty awesome.
And what's a concert without confetti?
Lots of it....
Huddle up where the guys probably thank their lucky stars that someone thought about a reunion tour. There is no telling how much money they are going to make this summer. Genius idea.
Action shot of Donnie throwing his Mavs jersey into the crowd. The man couldn't keep a shirt on.
End of the show. Good job boys.
Sarah and I after it was over. We were excited as we fit into the "Glitter Tops Required" theme of the night.
Hope you enjoyed my recap. It doesn't even to scratch the surface as to how good this concert was. Judge if you must, but for one night I got back in touch with some of my old favorites and first crushes. It was good fun!
I want to tell you all about my recent Florida trip with Heidi and the family. I have some great stories and pictures. Coming soon....
Until then, Ciao for now!
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