I’ve been to nearly every Backstreet Boys show I could get to since I was a kid clutching my Millennium ticket in my sweaty little hand, but nothing could have prepared me for the BSB Millennium 2.0 Sphere residency. After all these years, they still manage to blow my mind, and this time, they took it to a whole other galaxy.
Before I even stepped inside, the anticipation was unreal, but so was the chaos. I was in a very lucky group of select few that managed to secure VIP Meet and Greet. I also had General Admission pit. Meet and Greet VIP provided priority access to the venue. Being in the pit with Meet and Greet should have felt like the ultimate dream come true (and it still was!), but the check-in was a mess. The venue staff had no clue how to handle a fandom this passionate, this prepared, this ready to do whatever it takes for the best spot. They moved us four times because no one knew where we were supposed to be and most didn’t even know our group existed. Even though our package promised priority access, another group was also promised that and ended up getting it instead, albeit by just a minute (which in this fandom matters)! Fans were frustrated and tense, some got aggressive, and heated arguments broke out in line, which is the last thing any of us wanted when all we really wanted was to celebrate our boys together. Suggestions were given but ignored. For example, a simple numbered wristband system was discussed for weeks amongst the fandom, but instead we lined up haphazardly. Once in the venue, there was another line and I asked to speak to the supervisor to suggest they let in small groups at a time, maybe 10 or so, to allow them time to go in, before moving on to the next. We were told “security will handle it”. Yet when the time came, all security could do was yell at people as they ran by, passed others, and shoved people out of the way. All of that could have been avoided with better planning and organization on the part of the venue.
Still, the moment the doors opened, none of that mattered anymore.
Inside, the Sphere felt like a portal straight into every BSB era at once. The pre-show playlist was all BSB with not a single random song tossed in to kill time… just them. It set the mood perfectly. The stage was an enormous rocket, a symbol that we were about to lift off into something spectacular. The screens wrapped us in footage from their early days: behind-the-scenes moments, old appearances from the Millennium era, stats and trivia about the album that changed everything. They even answered fun questions like what they crave after the show (the real fan trivia we all love) and it made the whole thing feel like a personal hangout, not just a concert.
When the lights finally dropped, it was like every worry dissolved. I looked around and saw generations of fans ready to sing every word, just like me.
After a stellar opening sequence on the screens, the boys showed up out of nowhere, electrifying the stage and the audience, a sea of all Millennium white. They opened with “Larger Than Life” and killed it. Perfectly polished choreo, fine tuned vocals, and of course, personality oozing through every move reminding everyone exactly why we fell in love with these five boys in the first place.
They did all of Millennium, every song a time machine back to bedrooms covered in posters and cassette tapes worn out from rewinding. And they didn’t stop there. They gave us classics, deep cuts, and the thrill of something new: they performed their new single live, which felt like a promise that this legacy we love so much is still growing. There’s something so powerful about seeing new fans or casual fans hear that for the first time. It is such a beautiful and haunting song that showcases their amazing sound and I LOVE that the non OGs are going to see that.
Then, they brought in new choreography, little shifts and surprises that kept even us repeat offenders on our toes. The Sphere visuals made it all feel larger than life. “Get Down” done in the style of the original music video was one the one hand hilarious, but also nostalgic, a perfect wink to the OG fans. Watching Brian cling tight to the spaceship rig even though heights terrify him, warned my heart. He’s always been a trooper for us.
Each of the guys brought something so uniquely them to the night.
Howie’s confidence glowed, you could feel him soaking up every scream and giving it right back with that polished swagger that’s only grown stronger with time.
AJ radiated pure joy, dancing like it was the first show of his life, feeding off our energy and tossing it back twice as strong.
Kevin’s gratitude just oozed out of him, every wave, every little moment of eye contact, you could see how much he loves this, loves us, and doesn’t take a second for granted.
Brian’s playfulness was in full force, cracking jokes, flashing that mischievous grin, pulling us in with his warmth and his voice which was clear and strong all night long.
And Nick? Nick was in his element. There’s something about seeing him on that stage, effortlessly switching from playful banter to hitting those silky, sultry notes that make the entire room hush before erupting into screams. During “I Need You Tonight,” he owned the stage with that slow-burn confidence he’s always had, but now there’s a maturity to it that’s even more captivating. His voice soared throughout the show, balancing the smoothness and power we’ve come to love, and you could see how much fun he was having, locking eyes with fans, throwing that smirk, and reminding us all why we’ve stuck by his side for decades. Whether he was stepping forward for a solo moment or blending seamlessly into the harmonies, Nick brought an energy that was electric, grounding the group while elevating every song.
They all hit every cue, every harmony, every move like a machine but still so full of heart you could feel it in your chest. And we even got a little nod to their roots with an acapella start to “No One Else Comes Close”, serving as a reminder that first and foremost, these boys can sing!
“Siberia” was another standout. The visuals were haunting and stunning, though I’ll admit their frozen faces in the snow threw me off for a second. But the atmosphere made the song feel even bigger than it already is. And “The Perfect Fan” — oh, that one. Seeing visuals of their moms, wives, and kids while they sang it hit me in a way it never did before. Kevin and Brian crying on stage, my own eyes welling up as a mom myself… I’ve never been a huge fan of that song, but now I hear it differently. Then the original “All I Have to Give” hat dance that we can never get enough of, with their synchronized moves. Perfection.
If I could wish for anything more, it’d be a surprise moment with Kevin on piano, like he and Nick did back in ‘99. There’s something so magical about them playing instruments live. It’s a layer of connection we don’t always get. And Nick on the drums or Kevin on the keys are something special.
All in all, spectacular. This is not a show you see once and check off the list. This is a show you come back to again and again because there’s so much to see: the boys, the visuals, the rocket ship, the subtle new moves, the way they look at each other and at us. It’s everything this fandom has loved for three plus decades, amplified by a venue designed to take us all the way to space.
I’ve never seen the Backstreet Boys put on a bad show, not once. But this? This was next level. They didn’t just perform. They celebrated our shared history, made us laugh, cry, dance, and remember exactly who we are together.
To the boys and the entire creative team: thank you for taking us to the stars and for reminding us that no matter how long it’s been, no matter how old we get, we’ll always be Backstreet fans.
KTBSBA forever. And yes — I’ll see you in the pit next time.
Setlist
Larger Than Life
It’s Gotta Be You
As Long As You Love Me
More Than That
I Need You Tonight
Siberia
Brian Talk
Howie Talk
Don’t Want You Back
Get Another Boyfriend
Show Me The Meaning
Break
Don’t Wanna Lose You Now
Hey
The One
AJ Talk
Medley:
Back To Your Heart
Spanish Eyes
No One Else Comes Close
The Perfect Fan
All I Have To Give
Drowning
Kevin/AJ Talk
Quit Playing Games
Shape of My Heart
I Want It That Way
Get Down
We’ve Got it Goin’ On
The Call
Everybody
