It’s been a solid two weeks since I returned from Nick Carter’s HUMBL Holidays listening party in Las Vegas. I am finally able to process the amazing time I had and the event I was so fortunate to attend.
It was a whirlwind trip. One I almost did not go on. I was debating the trip up until that morning. It was a long drive for a short stay and a quick return. But ultimately, my fangirl needs won out, and I hopped in my car, only to drive the 7+ hours (each way) to Vegas for a less than 7 hour trip.
But it was more than worth it.
One of the best things about these Backstreet Boys/solo boy events is the time with friends. Many of the friends I typically travel with were not able to join for this adventure, but I have recently been more active in the fandom and have found a whole host of new friends with similar interests. The time chatting with friends, the camaraderie, the hustle and bustle of getting ready, getting prepped, etc. for the event always adds to the adrenaline rush of the show itself. This was no different. I was with 10 people, only 1 of whom I’d ever actually met in person, and yet, I felt at home with them all.
Once we headed to the event, the anxiety built. I had planned to do the Meet and Greet (on a panic buy…they are good at getting me with their “limited seats available” ploys) and any time I’m going to actually chat with one of the boys, my brain turns to spaghetti. When we arrived, they seated us at a table right in front of the stage. The venue was decked out in Nick Carter and HUMBL digital decorations. It was an intimate set up, which was perfect for the event.
There was a group sitting up at a table just above us to the left of the stage and I was oblivious to the fact that it was Nick and his friends. I glanced over as Nick was coming over to the rail to say hi to us. Then I realized Lauren was also there.
I joined in the conversation briefly, as Nick talked about his favorite wine (which he “only drinks around us” yeah right) and how excited he was for the show. After a chat with us, he returned to his guests and we grabbed some snacks and drinks while we danced to (mostly) nostalgic 90’s music for a short time, before the show began.
The Meet and Greet happened just ahead of the show. We were escorted to an area away from the main floor and had a few moments to chat with Nick and get a picture. Nick was as kind and welcoming as ever, taking his time talking to us. I got to chat a little with him about his latest single “Scary Monster” and just about his music in general. It was great to talk with him and get a picture at the event.
After Meet and Greet, Nick joined the DJ in the booth and shared with us about HUMBL, this project, and what he had been working on. Nick played 6 songs from the upcoming album and talked a little about each as he introduced them.
The first song, ‘Spotlight” Nick shared is about wanting to be in the spotlight or being famous. I LOVED this one and Nick sounds amazing (as usual). It’s up tempo and has a really great beat to it. Nick was jammin along, singing with the track, and it was obvious he is in love with this song too.
The next song he played was “Cooked Food”. The title of this one is different, but as Nick explained, with the help of an audience member, this is definitely not about actual food…it’s a metaphor for…well, leave it to your imagination. It’s a sensual song with a heavy beat and amazing lyrics.
Definitely my favorite of all the songs he played. Nick’s producer, Vic Martin, joined him on stage once he got to this song. Nick shared that Vic dropped some vocals for this one, and he sounds great too. Overall, this one is just amazing, complete fire. Funky beat, incredible vocals, and a great sound.
Can’t wait for this one to come out and I really hope this one makes it as a single so I can see what Nick does with a video for it!
After that, Nick introduced “Good Times”, which is a song that features Jimmie Allen, a country artist. Nick talked about this one being “in the making”, saying that there may be a few others artists who show up on this one (Bizzy Bone and Nelly were mentioned). This one has a Bone-Thugs feel and reminds me of a 90’s hip hop song.
Nick’s voice is almost unrecognizable on the track, showing off his versatility. This one is just fun. Jimmie Allen sounded incredible on it as well. Can’t wait to hear the finished version.
We got to hear “Bonita” next, a song Nick wrote for his wife, Lauren, about his “Ride or Die”. This song is beautful and you can really feel the love he has for his family.
Seeing Nick in his element, gushing about his family, is always so heartwarming. I just appreciate the positivity they’ve brought to him and how much he has grown as a family man. And this song is HOT. I can definitely see this one as a single at some point.
The next song was “Easy” which also featured Jimmie Allen. This one had a little country feel to it and definitely felt more like the storytelling you get with country songs. The song had the same feel as BSB’s “No Place” and I could imagine a video similar to the one they did for that song. And I am loving this Jimmie Allen collaboration Nick has going. Their voices sound great together. Maybe we get lucky and get a joint performance at some point!
The last new song he played was “Boyband Song” which had an interesting flare to it. Not gonna lie, this one was a little cheesy for me. It was entertaining, catchy, and definitely appropriate for Nick’s demographic. Curious what he might do with this one.
After sharing his new music, Nick sang “As Long as You Love Me,” “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”, a verse of “It’s Christmas Time Again”, and “I Want It That Way”, better known as “The Samsung Song”. I personally requested “The Samsung Song”, which Nick took and ran with, sharing about the commercial the song has been on recently. It was really fun to watch him interacting with fans in the audience, sharing stories, and just enjoying himself and the event.
After the show, we had a chance to just hang out, dance, drink, and socialize. Nick made a quick appearance on the main floor, snapping pictures with a few of the guests, before the event ended. It was obvious he was having a good time and proud of the music he was sharing. It is always great to see Nick’s passion come to fruition. I can’t wait to hear more from Nick and to find out how to actually get this NFT album once it is ready to be dropped.
Nick, thanks for such a great event and for taking care of us fans. It’s always a pleasure to join any of your events. Looking forward to this album!
