The Backstreet Boys brought their 20th anniversary tour to Vector Arena last night. And as Joanna Hunkin writes, it was everything her 15-year-old self could have asked for.
Move over Marty McFly, the Backstreet Boys are in town and they've mastered the art of time travel.
For two energetic hours, they took last night's sellout crowd at Vector Arena back to 1999. And it was glorious.
Sure, it wasn't cool. They knew that. We knew that. But thatwas all part of the fun. And man, was it fun.
They embraced the cheese and laughed at their own expense.
"I feel 15 years old tonight," crowed the once baby-faced Nick Carter, still sporting his signature centre part. "That's why I did my hair this way."
But amidst the jokes and general banter, of which there was much from all five members of the band, there was also an impressive show of musicality. Probably more than most expected.
For years, the guys have lived under the boy band label and the assumption they don't write their own music or play instruments.
It's clearly an assumption they're keen to dispel, regularly pointing out who wrote songs and why. Kevin and AJ wrote Show 'Em What You're Made Of for their children.
Backstreet Boy AJ McLean performs live
But even when making the point, which you can only imagine has driven them mad over the past two decades, they did so with humour and good grace.
As they sat down for a stripped back acoustic set, Carter joked: "We sing, we dance and now we play instruments. The world better watch out!"
Carter often took on the role of ringleader but all five are polished showmen. Or in Brian Littrell's case, a clown and acrobat.
Kevin Richardson rejoined the band in 2012.
Opening with matching suits and synchronised dance moves, the show galloped along before ending with a high-octane pop parade that would make even the most cynical smile.
In between, they took it in turns to work the crowd, while the rest of the band took short pit stops. They used videos to distract while they ran backstage for costume changes.
The tour, which began as a 20th anniversary tour two years ago and hasn't stopped since, is a well-oiled machine and the band, master operators.
The Backstreet Boys in action
Even when the singing was off-key, or someone flubbed a dance move (at one point Carter fell over and had a little sit down, grinning widely) they struck the right note.
It was a celebration of what they were - they remain the biggest-selling boy band of all time - and who they are now.
It was everything my 15-year-old self could have asked for. And my 31-year-old self loved it too.
* What did you think of the show? Did it bring back any memories? Post your comments below!
