Backstreet Boys Kick Off Sphere Residency With Larger-Than-Life Show in Las Vegas

Backstreet’s back, alright. You might have thought the Backstreet Boys peaked in the early 2000s, but fans dressed in all white leaving Las Vegas‘ Sphere Friday night (July 11) would disagree. The group of five arguably put on their best show yet in the high-tech venue right off the strip. 

Into the Millennium‘s opening night transported fans to outer space as a massive screen surrounded them with visuals of a spacecraft right before the band appeared on stage. The Backstreet Boys — Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson — launched into a night of hits with “Larger Than Life,” which was the perfect description of the show they had created. 

Although the show was celebrating the group’s landmark album Millennium and journeyed through the entire track list, they also performed the recently released “Hey,” and they ventured into other albums like Black & Blue. Cue almost 20,000 people dancing to “The Call” and belting “Shape of My Heart.”

Speaking of belting, the gentlemen’s vocals shined. They didn’t miss a note or a beat — as they also included all the nostalgic choreography we’ve come to expect. 

Highlights of the evening at the over-the-top venue included one moment when the gigantic screen showed the men etched in the side of a mountain during “Siberia,” and another when they rose high above the crowd on a ship singing signature song”“I Want It That Way.” It was the perfect blend of spectacle and heart. 

They closed the night with “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).” (See the complete night one setlist here.)

As everyone poured out into the streets of Vegas, we’d gamble that many of them will be back to see the show again.  

The residency continues through Aug. 24.