erilyn | Sydney Backstreet Boys concert: brief recap + videos

Acer Arena, Friday 22nd February.

not_nele and I were in the third row on the floor, almost at the right-hand end (stage left). The sound was a bit off (too much bass), making things sound a bit muddy at times, but the guys still sounded absolutely fantastic :D It was such a fun show, and it came across to me as having more choreography than the Never Gone tour. Not that they had the choreography down perfect yet, there was lots of little mistakes, and a fun one from Nick, where he managed to arrive at an empty microphone stand (having left his mic behind to block Howie). We got a lot of AJ time over our end of the stage, including him hopping off and being on the floor at the end of the row (so close!).

The set-list was pretty good, though I wish there'd be at least one other Never Gone track (Incomplete was the sole representative), and that Unsuspecting Sunday Afternoon had been included. The solo songs worked pretty well - Howie's is pretty (but lacks oomph), hearing Brian sing Welcome Home was just lovely, I was so happily surprised by Nick doing Blow Your Mind as well as I Got You, as BYM is one of my favourite NoN tracks, and AJ's song Driveby Love was voted a spontaneous orgasm inducer *g*. The video backgrounds for some songs on the big screen were a little odd, including footage of space exploration, random cityscapes and (at times rather edited, bye Kevin!) music videos.

Most importantly, the four of them looked like they were having so much fun. The show was just full of flail-inducing interaction and cute moments, they really do love each other SO MUCH. Constantly chatting to each other during songs, poking, hugging and cuddling, silly dancing - it was 100 minutes of grouplove.

Right click and save for the download links (or equivalent). Please don't link to my files or this entry on message boards/forums - all the videos are up on youtube (Sydney concert playlist) and I'm going to try and get them all uploaded to a free server for posting to LiveDaily etc. Please let me know if there are any issues downloading (trying out a new webhost).

+ Larger than Life - youtube / download - 5.18MB
I adore the boxing setup for their entrance, it's just cheesily awesome. And covering Kanye's Stronger during this was just inspired.

+ Everyone - youtube / download - 1.75MB
I nearly lost it when this started (I was pretty unspoiled for the setlist), cause I love this song and wasn't expecting it. Mmmmm, gotta love the personalised leather jackets too.

+ Any Other Way - youtube / download - 5.77MB
The dancing here amuses me. And some nice AJ closeup towards the end.

+ You Can Let Go - youtube / download - 10.72MB
This has got everything - literal choreography from Brian, closeups of AJ and Nick, Nick being unable to not touch his bandmates, and Howie and Nick singing to each other. Plus, it's a pretty pretty song.

+ Unmistakeable - youtube / download - 4.22MB
OMG the new chair dancing. It was kinda cool, and oddly reminiscent of slow-motion strippers at times.

+ I Want It That Way - youtube / download - 4.28MB
Three man IWITW (there goes Howie offstage to get ready for the next song), which includes stork-inspired choreography.

+ She's Like the Sun - youtube / download - 8.22MB
Howie's solo song. I enjoyed it, but not as much as some stuff he's sung. I liked hearing something new, but still kinda wish he'd done What Makes You Different. He gets to wiggle his hips a lot.

+ Show Me The Meaning - youtube / download - 3.28MB
I loved the playing poker staging for this, though I was getting distracted trying to follow if they were attempting at all to actually play. Has some chat at the start.

+ More Than That - youtube / download - 3.01MB
AJ + tambourine!

+ Trouble Is - youtube / download - 11.25MB
Nick is crude during Howie's opening, and Brian punishes him.

+ Incomplete - youtube / download - 9.52MB
Goofy!Brian

+ Driveby Love - youtube / download - 11.75MB
AJ's solo. Ngghhh. So much fun. Includes practically-humping the floor and some seriously hip-and-butt-shaking hotgirl dancing (he could give Wentz lessons *g*). The "What Would Nick Do" tshirt is official merchandise ;)

+ Nick's drum solo - youtube / download - 4.07MB
This was a little peculiar. Nick decided that what the show really needs his him on an electronic drum kit, trying to make the concert into a rave. I didn't enjoy it as much at this show cause of the already-off sound balance.

+ Panic - youtube / download - 14.30MB
Brian just can't stop himself from doing literal choreography when he sings "baby". AJ's vest is sort-of backless.

+ Nick's solo medley - youtube / download - 9.94MB
I Got You + Blow Your Mind + Nick on guitar + Nick wearing AJ's official merchandise tshirt = ME BEING VERY HAPPY.

+ Quit Playing Games - youtube / download - 4.94MB
AJ/Howie adorableness, AJ really really wants a pair of maracas,

+ As Long As You Love Me - youtube / download - 3.96MB
I don't know if you can spot it in any of the videos from this section, but Nick's untied bowtie is covered in rhinestones. Someone bedazzled a bowtie...

+ All I Have To Give - youtube / download - 6.59MB
More cute staging with the guys singing around a garbage can 'fire', and then a sweet moment before the end of the song where they stop to reflect on how long they've been together.

+ Inconsolable - youtube / download - 10.89MB
y halo thar AJ. And some more AJ. Eventually I remember to film the other guys too.

+ Welcome Home - youtube / download - 5.83MB
I love this song so much :)

+ Band Intro & The One - youtube / download - 8.09MB
Marcus must be getting sick of hearing Beat It, but watching Nick dance to it could never get old. Plus, Nick walks into Howie's arm, and Nick and Brian have to hug as they haven't seen each other in 5 minutes.

+ Treat Me Right & The Call - youtube / download - 24.99MB
Despite the props, the changing up of the opening of the Call meant it took for them to actually start singing for most people to realise what song it is *g*.

+ Everybody - youtube / download - 5.84MB
Love the sampling during this, no wonder AJ is wearing a RUN DMC tshirt. Plus, AJ rides Nick like a pony.

+ Shape of My Heart - youtube / download - 22.42MB
Encore. Cuddling and confetti.

I have compressed the files, reducing the size to about an 1/8 of the original. If there's footage you particularly want the better quality original .mov files of, just let me know (but each concert was 1.5 gig in that format, which is why I compressed).