erilyn | Melbourne Backstreet Boys concert: brief recap + videos + a few photos

Rod Laver Arena, Saturday 23rd February.

We were seated in the middle section this time, pretty much dead centre.

indybrat and I were 4th row,

not_nele was behind us in the 5th row (to begin with). In Sydney, the venue was strict and only let the first row stand at the barrier (they had wristbands). Here, they'd apparently said that the second row could go forward, but as always, there came some trigger and the rush was on - heaps from the third row, and some from further back, all ended up at the barrier, and there was nothing they could do (not that they appeared to give a shit).

We were quite pleased about this, because frankly, the energy level coming from the front row in Sydney had been a little lacklustre. Also, the three seats in front of us in third row were now empty. Alas, two girls (who appeared to be friends with those who'd rushed off) came along (and showed off way more of a pink g-string while climbing over seats than any of us wanted to see). But as soon as lights went down, we had

not_nele over the two rows into a seat in front of us, so that was good :) And from there, she again got some love from Brian (just like last tour, he lurves her *g*).

The crowd energy and response and atmosphere was better in Melbourne, as was the sound. The guys were still adorable and touchy-feely. One thing that I didn't get on video was Howie falling off the stage!!! During Inconsolable, I was thinking "hey, where's Howie?" when I noticed him getting back to his feet at the front left corner of the stage (stage right). He was crossing himself and patting the stage, laughing away at himself. Apparently, he was standing up on a little speaker, and it tipped, and he fell. Either onto a lower edge of the stage, or Marcus caught him, or something. I'm not quite clear on that, but he didn't fall to the floor as far as I understand. But he ripped his pants, and got mocked by the other guys (there's some good stuff in the Inconsolable video).

We (re)noticed something about Nick in these shows. It keeps coming back to his crotch, whether it is thrusting or hand movements or his fly being down etc. I can't remember which song lyric about questions it was that made me think this, but the truth is, no matter what the question is, the answer for Nick is COCK!

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 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 - 11.18MB
I really want an actual mashup of Larger than Life and Stronger now, cause it works really well live.

+ Everyone - youtube / download - 2.36MB
Heee, puppet moves *g*

+ Any Other Way - youtube / download - 4.70MB
I like this so even more now, after hearing it live. Though that goes for a number of the Unbreakable tracks.

+ You Can Let Go - youtube / download - 7.77MB
So many sweet moments - Nick and Brian, Brian and Howie, AJ and Nick.

+ Unmistakeable - youtube / download - 2.29MB
Brian makes himself REALLY TALL.

Ok, it's a crap photo, but it amuses me as I seem to have caught him mid-wink.

+ I Want It That Way - youtube / download - 1.91MB
Nick is NOT IMPRESSED by the crowd's singing along - needs moar volume!

+ Show Me the Meaning - youtube / download - 2.57MB
Playing poker!

+ Trouble Is - youtube / download - 9.57MB
Frick and Frack 4 eva! Oh wait, now Howie and Nick are too adorable for words. Now it's back to Nick and Brian. TOO MUCH LOVE.

+ Incomplete - youtube / download - 6.26MB
You can really see Nick's bedazzled bowtie very clearly :) Oooh, here's one of my only clear photos.

+ Drive By Love - youtube / download - 13.15MB
Argh, I missed a chunk that I intended to film (and thought I was filming), but still got the hot girl dancing at least :D

+ Nick drum solo - youtube / download - 3.46MB
I could watch Nick drum for a long time...

+ Panic - youtube / download - 11.28MB
Boys on their knees in front of me, mmmm.

+ I Got You/Blow Your Mind - youtube / download - 12.79MB
I didn't get as much of BYM as IGY cause I wanted to jump around, but got Nick rocking out on guitar.

+ Quit Playing Games - youtube / download - 4.69MB
AJ's just going nuts here. First he stalks Howie, then he starts doing I-can't-begin-to-describe dance moves. But after all these years, they have to find a way to keep themselves enjoying singing this ;)

+ As Long As You Love Me - youtube / download - 2.99MB
Singing and dancing.

+ All I Have To Give - youtube / download - 4.59MB
Much better view of the "fire" than in the Sydney video. Howie and Nick have a nice little chat mid-song.

+ I'll Never Break Your Heart - youtube / download - 14.95MB
AJ tells Howie that he's not *that* old, he can't be getting senile yet.

+ Inconsolable - youtube / download - 9.49MB
Sadly, while I don't have Howie falling off-stage or his recovery, there is a re-enactment and adorable teasing of him by the other guys (as well as torn pants), plus new lyrics by Nick for the occasion.

+ Welcome Home - youtube / download - 4.67MB
I'm still so glad I got to see him perform this song.

+ Band intro - youtube / download - 7.25MB
Nick and Howie have got moves *g*.

+ The One - youtube / download - 4.57MB
I wonder when/(if?) the others stopped blaming Nick for this being the single rather than Don't Want You Back?

+ Treat Me Right - youtube / download - 11.38MB
They can't get through a song without touching, it's just not possible.

+ The Call - youtube / download - 6.66MB
There's one part in this where Nick cracks me up everytime I watch. Also, can you pick where you can clearly hear me during this? ::headdesk::

+ Everybody (Backstreet's Back) - youtube / download - 12.62MB
I am surprised and impressed that Nick can hit that note. Also, a proper mashup of this mix would also be awesome.

+ Shape of My Heart - youtube / download - 19.44MB
Howie/Brian fans have to watch this. Trust me. So should everyone else, but especially them :)

The confetti was going everywhere (including down

indybrat's top *g*). This is my seat afterwards.