Nick Carter lit up Chicago this past weekend with two unforgettable performances, celebrating his newest album, Love, Life, Tragedy, during a break from the Backstreet Boys’ wildly successful Las Vegas Sphere residency. He’s set to play one more solo show in Green Bay on Tuesday, but with the energy and passion pouring out of these concerts, fans everywhere are hoping he adds more dates ASAP. Because, let’s be real, this album deserves a worldwide tour and celebration.
It was clear from the moment the shows began that Nick was inspired by the experience of the Backstreet Boys Sphere residency. From dynamic visuals to fresh music and Nick’s trademark powerhouse vocals, everything about the weekend felt elevated. His voice was as strong as ever, his energy never wavered, and perhaps most striking of all, he was clearly having the time of his life on stage. That joy was contagious, and the crowd gave it right back to him, singing along not just to Backstreet Boys classics but also to his solo tracks, old and new. The love and support in the room were undeniable.
After wrapping up his two-year-long #WhoIAm world tour last year, Nick had already proven he could command the stage as a solo artist. That tour was more introspective, blending BSB hits, his solo catalog, and heartfelt covers that told his story. But Love, Life, Tragedy represents a new chapter, born from the creativity sparked in between tour stops and studio sessions. This weekend’s shows marked a bold, emotional, and deeply personal leap forward with songs and lyrics that came directly from Nick’s own personal experiences and feelings, sung with the passion only the writer could bring.
Before each night, Nick hosted a soundcheck party, inviting fans to watch the pre-show magic. He talked about the visuals, which were inspired by the cutting-edge tech of the Sphere shows in Vegas. He jokingly shared that at least one venue was hesitant to move forward with the visuals due to the size of the screens. Nick said he knew it was a big ask, but he was adamant that they find a way. And thank goodness he did. From playful animations to lyrics on screen, to visuals from his comic series, and intimate home videos of family life, these visuals told a story all their own and elevated each song.
One standout moment came during the second night when Nick performed “I Got You” from Now or Never. That night, he added personal footage which had not been present even the night before. The audience was treated to sweet moments with his wife and kids, clips from past tours, and it hit like a wave of emotion. It felt less like a concert and more like a love letter to his life and his fans. As a fellow parent, I found myself watching the screen more than him (sorry, Nick!), it was that moving.
Of course, Nick delivered vocally, each night. He effortlessly moved through his vast range, seamlessly shifting from pop to rock to country-tinged songs. Fans were treated to favorites from across his solo albums, including “Blow Your Mind” and “I Got You” (Now or Never), “Burnin’ Up” (I’m Taking Off), and “Swet” (All American).
“Blow Your Mind” continues to impress me in live form. This song was included in last year’s #WhoIAm tour, but I can’t get enough. As someone who slept on this song when it first came out (I am shamefaced…), I can absolutely appreciate the rock vibe of this bold song now. Nick performs this one with his electric guitar and his skills have evolved even in the last few years. “Burnin’ Up” turned the venue into a dance party, while “Swet,” despite a couple lyric flubs both nights (Nick… maybe a refresher?), was still a total crowd-pleaser. Watching him and his band laugh through it made it all the more endearing.
He kept just one cover from the #WhoIAm era, Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me).” It’s clearly a favorite of his, and it held new weight this time around. What once felt like a plea to remain relevant now came off as a confident anthem. When he performed it on the #WhoIAm tour, it seemed like he was asking his fans and the audience to stick with him, while feeling real fear that, with time, they would fade. Now, the song almost has a different meaning, as if he is finally accepting that he will always have a place amongst his fans. He owned the stage with a lightness and joy that felt different, like he was finally letting himself have fun. And the audience felt it.
New tracks from Love, Life, Tragedy shined especially bright. The emotional ballads “Storms” and “Hey Kid” anchored a slower, heartfelt set in the middle of the show. “Storms,” paired with hurricane visuals, painted a picture of resilience through heartbreak. And Nick’s genuine passion and emotions surrounding this one shone clearly through his performance, which pulled the emotions from the crowd. “Hey Kid” was even more vulnerable, with Nick singing to his younger self, apologizing for past pain and celebrating how far he’s come. I certainly had a full on cry during this one and this was Nick at his rawest and most real across the shows.
Nick also brought the energy back up with fresh bops like “Nothing Without Your Love” (a personal favorite!), the fiery “Searchlight,” and the country-inspired “Wild Heart.” Each one had its own vibe, and Nick brought them to life with passion, charm, and stage presence that few can match. “Searchlight,” in particular, felt especially poignant, an anthem for anyone who’s ever fought to keep a relationship alive. And you can’t hear “Nothing Without Your Love” without a smile on your face. It’s such a fun and lighthearted song and the crowd got into that alongside Nick.
Nick also chose to perform the re-recorded version of “Help Me.” Originally released on Now or Never, the track now has an 80s-inspired, EDM-tinged twist. While I still love the original, there’s no denying how much fun Nick was having with this one! His dancing, his energy, his smiles…it was pure joy. He also performed “Made For Us,” a fan-dedicated track that he released ahead of the album, again picking up the guitar and showcasing just how far he’s come as a musician. He’s evolving, growing, and clearly loving the journey. And as a long-time fan, I’m right there with him!
Of course, no Nick Carter show would be complete without nods to his Backstreet roots. He kicked off the night playing electric guitar on “Larger Than Life” and kept the guitar strapped on for “Just Want You To Know.” His reinterpretations of “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely” and “We’ve Got It Goin’ On” gave them a heavy rock edge that somehow made them feel even more powerful. “Show Me The Meaning” in particular had a dark edge to it which signified the core of the music. And yes, he gave us the BSB anthems that many have come to expect: “I Want It That Way,” “Quit Playin’ Games (With My Heart),” “As Long As You Love Me,” and “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).”
At the end of the day, Nick is a natural-born performer. His energy fills the room. His lyrics connect. His passion is palpable. And his fans? We showed up in force, singing every word right back to him, whether it was a solo deep cut or a BSB classic. The love for Nick is real, and it’s clear he feels it too.
These Chicago shows were proof that Love, Life, Tragedy isn’t just an album, it’s a statement. Nick’s performance gave further proof to not only the importance of the tracks to Nick, but also to his fans. And it is clear that Nick Carter is still evolving, still shining, and absolutely still larger than life.
And I can confidently say, bring on the tour!
Look for more videos and photos from the events on our Instagram in the coming days and weeks.