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Backstreet Boys Were Still Larger Than Life in Saint Louis Saturday

The Backstreet Boys Performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Saturday. Photo by Reema Shah/ Out of the Black Photography.

 

–by Reema Shah

It was the perfect summer night Saturday for a sold-out show at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in Saint Louis. 20,000 fans screamed as the lights dimmed, anticipating the onstage arrival of the Backstreet Boys. Let me tell you, if there’s any sign of an amazing concert it’s that my feet hurt from dancing, my ears are ringing (both from the amazing music of Backstreet Boys and the screaming fans), and my voice is gone. Yes, I contributed to the screaming too.

The Backstreet Boys Performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Saturday. Photo by Reema Shah/ Out of the Black Photography.

I’m a fan and have been since a young age. The band as a group is about to be 30 years old and so am I, so this may be a slightly biased review. Then again, they don’t need any bias cause the Backstreet Boys still got it goin’ on.

The Backstreet Boys Performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Saturday. Photo by Reema Shah/ Out of the Black Photography.

I’m sure many expected the show to open with “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”, because it seems fitting. Instead, they started the 2 hour show with “Everyone” from the Black and Blue album. The Backstreet Boys brought out all the choreographed moves, just like longtime fans remembered. Rather than filling the whole show with nostalgic throwbacks, the band featured plenty of songs from their 2019 album, DNA. Afterall, this was the “DNA World Tour”. How could they not focus on those songs?

The Backstreet Boys Performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Saturday. Photo by Reema Shah/ Out of the Black Photography.

But don’t worry, they sprinkled in the classics throughout. As we got to the middle of the show, they slowed things down with a couple familiar ballads and an acapella version of “Breathe”, ultimately showcasing their vocal skills. The Backstreet Boys proved they still have what it takes, vocally and physically.

The Backstreet Boys Performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Saturday. Photo by Reema Shah/ Out of the Black Photography.

What really made this show special is that each member took some time to talk and interact with the crowd. Kevin mentioned he had some family in the crowd from Kansas City. AJ and Kevin flirted with the crowd while doing an onstage costume change that ended with them throwing their underwear into the crowd. AJ said that after years of women throwing their undergarments onstage, it was time they returned the favor, albeit a sweaty and damp favor.

The Backstreet Boys Performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Saturday. Photo by Reema Shah/ Out of the Black Photography.

Nick asked the crowd, “Does this mean you still love the Backstreet Boys after all these years?” The crowd screamed back yes, proving that the Backstreet Boys will always have our hearts.

The Backstreet Boys Performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Saturday. Photo by Reema Shah/ Out of the Black Photography.

The group wrapped up the show starting with an impressive graphics display and then playing through popular classics, finally including “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”. This all led up to their final song, “I Want It That Way”, before the group took a bow. They took a brief break leaving the crowd craving more, before they came back onstage for a 2-song encore. They concluded with “Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart” and a remixed version of “Larger Than Life”, reminding us that the Backstreet Boys are indeed larger than life.

The Backstreet Boys Performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Saturday. Photo by Reema Shah/ Out of the Black Photography.

Be sure to stick around and check out the gallery of clickable photos below the setlist.

 

Backstreet Boys Setlist

Everyone

I Wanna Be With You

The Call

Don’t Want You Back

Nobody Else

New Love

Get Down (You’re the One for Me)

Chateau

Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely

Incomplete

Undone

More Than That

The Way it Was

Chances

Shape of My Heart

Drowning

Passionate

Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)

As Long As you Love Me

No Place

Breathe

Don’t Wanna Lose You Now

I’ll Never Break Your Heart

All I Have to Give

Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)

We’ve Got It Goin’ On

It’s Gotta Be You

That’s the Way I Like It

Get Another Boyfriend

The One

I Want It That Way

Encore

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart

Larger Than Life

 

 

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