Our Music Series continues with not one but two Backstreet Boys Concerts.
2005.
I was an ardent music lover, and concerts were really my thing. It also helped that I lived a stone throw from the Gwinnett Center Arena in Duluth, GA. Every day I drove past it on my way to work there was a new banner announcing the next major act that would be gracing the stage in a few months, that gave me something to look forward to, to work towards. If I couldn't get tickets online, I could buy them at the venue. It all seemed so easy that I indulged, the #AnitaWrites way.
To continue the Flashback Music Series, here's a fresh (hot off the press!) take from yours truly....
One thing that is not captured below which didn't really seem like such a big deal at that time. For the Christmas concert, Rihanna performed Christmas songs at the Centennial Olympic Park for a few fans who braved the cold to catch the pre-shows. I remember walking briskly (so briskly cos' it was biting cold) past the small crowd wondering how sweet her voice sounded as she serenaded the mini-gathering, belting those Rudolph songs. There it was. Missed my one chance to see Rihanna perform because of the cold while rushing to catch BSB! Then, the Pussycat Dolls opened for BSB/Will Smith. And yes, Jazzy Jeff performed with Will Smith. Can you imagine that scenario now? Who would be the opening act in 2017?
Backstreet Boys (BSB) Concert at the Gwinnett Arena
July 24, 2005
My concert was GREAT!!!
Super fun, lots of energy, very mature set up, remixes of all the old classics, and a different feel to the guys than before. No pyrotechnics unless it was absolutely necessary, no funky shoulder pad outfits, it felt like a farewell tour with the screen playing recaps of the last 12 years of their career, and their camaraderie was just superb. I loved it. I loved it more because I was not expecting to like it. I don't particularly dig all the new songs, but hearing them live, with them expressing how much they love the songs, made me like them. The dancing didn't feel forced, it felt like something they had to do to keep you watching, and it was more visual this time because you got to see it without all the pyro blocking your way. It was just superb. Those guys know how to throw it down, I hope they stick around for much longer. Seeing them together is always a thrill. Sometimes you think. one of them is okay, but nope, they should all be together, one without the other is just not having it.
The bad: The stage was set up so funky that this big ole light switch was blocking the monitor right where I was sitting. I felt so sorry for the people sitting a little more to the right, I was at an angle and yet it was blocking my way. Then, the organizers, Star 94 FM, the hugest dickheads you've ever seen. They didn't allow cameras. Who doesn't allow cameras and searches bags in this day and age? That is so 90's. People do have camera cellphones. Then, they made us wait for about two hours before the guys showed up and in buying the tickets they never mentioned the opening acts (some inconsequential artists I really shouldn't have been available for and the lights shouldn't have been turned down for them). They said 7:00 and made us think it would start just around that time, not 8:50. The acoustics were bad, very bad, the synthesizer was set way too sharp, it kept cutting into my ears. The sound quality could have been better and they could have put up two side by side monitors like they did at Maroon 5's concert and the organizers could have stopped thinking it was all about merchandising (they sold everything down to Noodles at the venue) and about the music and organized a much friendlier atmosphere. Apart from that it was great. Every time Nick took the mic we screamed. Just like the old days.
The Will Smith/BSB concert. December 8, 2005 at the Philips Arena
BSB was great as always, something about the way they perform that always gets me. Not necessarily their harmonies, but just the way they put their passion into singing. The key thing for me was having JC Chasez introduce them. Not many people understood the history behind that and I did, so to put it in his words it was all fitting that he'd be the one to introduce them. The seats for the concert were amazing. Because with all my concerts this year I haven't exactly been blessed with the best seating arrangement, I just didn't go into it with that much enthusiasm as my sister, who hasn't been to a concert in such a long time. I knew they were floor seats, but the thing with floor seats is this, if they are not elevated, you end up having to crane your neck the entire concert. No one wants to do that. So I failed to take my camera along. Ho-hum, I thought, risk the chance of releasing awful pictures again, I don't think so.
Will Smith was okay! It was a different kind of concert. Not the regular kind where everyone is jumping up and down, and dancing aimlessly, this one seemed like it had a focus. The only snag was that it was so short, it ended just as soon as you got into it. I got into it. After we bought a one-time use camera at the local Philips arena convenience store, I took a whole bunch of pictures before I realized that I forgot to press the flash button, let alone the wind button. So there were several pictures, but they were all imprinted on one another. Hmmm...
The Will Smith/BSB concert. December 8, 2005 at the Philips Arena
BSB was great as always, something about the way they perform that always gets me. Not necessarily their harmonies, but just the way they put their passion into singing. The key thing for me was having JC Chasez introduce them. Not many people understood the history behind that and I did, so to put it in his words it was all fitting that he'd be the one to introduce them. The seats for the concert were amazing. Because with all my concerts this year I haven't exactly been blessed with the best seating arrangement, I just didn't go into it with that much enthusiasm as my sister, who hasn't been to a concert in such a long time. I knew they were floor seats, but the thing with floor seats is this, if they are not elevated, you end up having to crane your neck the entire concert. No one wants to do that. So I failed to take my camera along. Ho-hum, I thought, risk the chance of releasing awful pictures again, I don't think so.
Will Smith was okay! It was a different kind of concert. Not the regular kind where everyone is jumping up and down, and dancing aimlessly, this one seemed like it had a focus. The only snag was that it was so short, it ended just as soon as you got into it. I got into it. After we bought a one-time use camera at the local Philips arena convenience store, I took a whole bunch of pictures before I realized that I forgot to press the flash button, let alone the wind button. So there were several pictures, but they were all imprinted on one another. Hmmm...
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