On March 7, 2000, my cousins' girlfriend at the time and I loaded on to a Charter bus to head to my second Backstreet Boys concert in St. Louis, MO. It was a radio deal which included the tickets, bus ride, and there were supposed to be "gifts" also but that turned out to be a bust. I wasn't there for the bus ride though, nothing they could give me (aside from a backstage pass) would be better than the concert I was attending.
Last night, September 6, 2019, 20 years later, my husband and I loaded into our car and made the three-hour drive to St. Louis once again to a Backstreet Boys concert! This time, my fifth BSB show. I was going alone this time, buying only one ticket. I was fine with this, however, being surrounded by so many Backstreet Boys fans I knew I would have no shortage of folks to talk to. As I told my husband as he was walking me to the doors of the I have found my people.
I walked through the doors, metal detectors thankfully not picking up the hardware in my ankle (which it wouldn't have surprised me if they did...it's happened before), and headed right for the merch stand. I looked at all of the t-shirts, booty shorts, even pajamas, and luggage tags! But I selected a crossbody bag. Something I would get more use out of than a t-shirt or pajamas. I can't wear the t-shirt to work, although I have sneaked (who else feels wrong saying that word?) one in a time or two, and I'm always at work. The PJ's would end up shrinking and I wouldn't be able to wear them anymore. So cross body it was!
I was in section C, which put me just a few rows behind the catwalk. A welcome surprise since I was positive I was going to be much further back.
I sat there for probably an hour waiting for the opening act to come out. The act this tour was a fan favorite, Bailey Littrell! For those unfamiliar, that is band member Brian's son! This isn't the first time I've seen him perform, he has been on stage a couple times over the years.
The lights went down, the jumbo screen in front of me lifted and out on the stage walks this dude! Bailey has got a really great voice! The kid is only about 17 (which makes sense since Leigh had him about the same time as I had Gaige) but I can already tell he's going places!
He sang four songs off his album dropping in November. All I have to say about this kid is that he is definitely his father's son!
The lights came back on again and it was around 9:00 pm when they finally dimmed again. I never get tired of that feeling. The anticipation while the lights are off and the music is vibrating the concrete floors, but the performers have yet to step on stage. It's a feeling I long for long after the show is over. Ear piercing screams were heard throughout the venue as the thousands of fans waited impatiently for our boys to grace us with their presence!
The women surrounding me erupted into a fit of screams and dance moves as our boys danced and sang our hearts out. Never ones to want to disappoint their fans they were dripping sweat as they sang songs from all of their albums! All of my favorites were performed that night. Including my two favorite songs from the new album; The Way It Was and Breathe (an acapella song).
For two glorious hours, I screamed and danced and felt every song in my soul. I watched as my favorite boy (Nick!) displayed some raunchy moves! I could not have planned out a better concert!
The entire night was worth the money I shelled out. The entire was worth the time it took me to get there. The entire night was worth the wait! I'll be doing it again when they come around next year!
They will be my boys forever.
-Kristin
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