IN PHOTOS: 7 highlights from the Backstreet Boys Manila concert

Paolo Abad

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IN PHOTOS: 7 highlights from the Backstreet Boys Manila concert
Let's review all those unforgettable moments from their Manila show

We often look back to the ’90s as the heyday of boy bands, and the impact that these record label darlings made sends ripples that are still felt even today. (READ: In Twitter pics: Backstreet Boys in 2015 Manila concert

Boy bands can be an unsustainable business; many of them have since disbanded. They are often seen as mere cash cows of record labels, so on. Their music is targeted towards the younger set, with extremely sappy lyrics and catchy melodies.

The dynamics have since changed. In the MTV age, pop songs topped the charts with radio stations and CDs. Then came along iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube. Lately, these groups have enjoyed a renaissance, from Great Britain’s super-brand One Direction to South Korea’s dozen-or-so idol groups. The business models have attuned themselves to the changing times.

Few can endure, and the Backstreet Boys is arguably the epitome of the 90s boy band with their brand of straight-up, unabashedly sentimental music. AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, and Nick Carter celebrate 22 years since their first performance in Orlando this May 8.

They have persisted, selling over 130 million records to date. Putting it in terms of a much-younger generation, as The Guardian notes, they were “One Direction big,” but are probably much bigger than those Brits are. (WATCH: PH fans make awesome Backstreet Boys Dubsmash videos)

They played Manila once more to a sold-out crowd last May 5, and their fan base had grown to be twenty-to-thirty-somethings. Everyone in the audience seemed to enter into a sort of contract: to abandon their jaded selves and to assume their former roles—giddy kids who probably had the quintet on bedroom posters. (READ: Backstreet Boys can’t wait to meet their PH fans)

Kevin said, “I don’t think I have to ask you if you’re ready to party tonight. I wanna ask you if you want to take a trip down memory lane with us tonight and party like it’s 1999!” Everyone was young again, and we had the time of our lives.

1. The rules 

Here are some scenes from the concert that show the boys have still got it and are well on their way to becoming legends (even bigger than they already are):

NICK: “[We have] an incredible show that we prepared for you tonight. And we only have a couple of rules. It’s not that difficult, right?

#1: We want you to go crazy, of course. 

#2: We want you to act like you’re 15 years old. I still am 15 years old, so why don’t you?”

There was a heavy mood of nostalgia. We were at once ebullient and wistful, as memory after memory of the 90s – Walkmans, MTV (or whatever only mattered back then) – came to mind.

The band’s members are well into their 30s and 40s. Kevin and AJ even dedicated the song “Show Me What You’re Made Of,” off their latest album, to their “little ones.” But they danced like the 90s never ended. As a boy band, they subverted notions of masculinity, back when they were still making their mark on the industry, with their flirtatious popping and thrusting moves, making us travel back in time without a tinge of awkwardness.

The @backstreetboys singing All I Have To Give at the #IAWLTManila concert. #BSBinMNL

A video posted by Rappler (@rappler) on

Even A.J. said: “Quick question! How many of you have the In a World Like This CD? If you don’t have it, go get it. It’s pretty good. I love it. I have 2 copies. If you don’t have it, I’ll bring one of my copies to your house. Deal?”  

Everyone, girls and boys alike, sang their hearts out (smart phones up, though). No one was set to violate Nick’s house rules. 

The @backstreetboys singing As Long As You Love Me at the #IAWLTManila concert. #BSBinMNL

A video posted by Rappler (@rappler) on


2. One big favor

A.J.: “…I have one big favor to ask of you, Manila. I’m pretty sure everybody here has a cellphone. It’s either an iPhone or a Samsung. An iPhone or a Samsung. And if you still have a Blackberry, we gotta talk. I will come to your house and get you an iPhone. Stat. But if you have a cellphone, which I know you do, turn that light on. […] Wow, it’s so bright here. It’s a night sky in here tonight.”


There must be a moment when the artist/s ask the crowd to light up the stadium with their phone flashlights.

However, AJ was cheeky about it, and he showed how much their relationship with their fans has changed with technology. GoPros and phones on selfie sticks were thrown up the stage quite liberally, and the boys were more than happy to oblige—taking videos of themselves.

The @backstreetboys singing We’ve Got It Going On at the #IAWLTManila concert. #BSBinMNL

A video posted by Rappler (@rappler) on


3. The secret  

NICK: “Tell them the secret.”

AJ: “Well, they seem really happy. I don’t want to piss anybody off. But we don’t do [“I Want It That Way”] in the show anymore. Hey, hey, hey… If you look at your ticket, in the fine print, ‘Backstreet Boys will do every one of their hits except… ‘I Want It That Way’…’ I’m kidding! I’m kidding!”

The @backstreetboys sing I Want It That Way at the #IAWLTManila concert. #BSBinMNL

A video posted by Rappler (@rappler) on

The boys proposed to do something different: to perform a few songs unplugged. Nick plucked a familiar strain on his guitar as Brian playfully acted along to a thrilled audience already singing along. “I Want It That Way” is a classic that has defined the band. Who can forget its iconic music video filmed at LAX? The straight-faced ruse didn’t work from the very start, but the audience played along. 

AJ praised the crowd, “Very, very good! You guys really can sing so well.”

The @backstreetboys are impressed as the audience sings I Want It That Way. #IAWLTManila #BSBinMNL

A video posted by Rappler (@rappler) on

The night was set to be a massive sing-along session, as the boys proceeded to play familiar tunes such as “10,000 Promises,” “Madeleine,” “Quit Playing Games (with My Heart),” with the authentic feel of playing these on instruments themselves.

Despite being larger-than-life (song reference very much intended!) figures, they showed an uncontrived side attuned to contemporary demands: a desire for the “authentic” amidst a digital lifestyle.


4. ‘You’re all Backstreet Boys’

AJ: “You guys know all the songs! Every single one! […] You guys are gonna put us out of our jobs, seriously. You’re all Backstreet Boys.”

KEVIN: “So, the next tour, when we come back to Manila, we’re gonna have to do that whole song [“Drowning”] with you.”

The boys tried to flatter the crowd, claiming that we were the best singing one in the entire world tour. In spellbinding harmony, they led the crowd into singing the über-sentimental “Drowning.” At one point, they referred to the Filipino frontman of the rock band Journey, Arnel Pineda, to drive home this point. Brian and Kevin even belted out the chorus of the power ballad “Don’t Stop Believing,” as if telling us we were truly giving them a run for their money-making empire.


5. The close attachment

HOWIE D: “Manila, I have to say, I personally always have a personal close attachment every time I come into Manila, because not only is my godmother Filipino—from here… But I personally got the chance to sing with one of the greatest artists here in the Philippines, Sarah Geronimo. So, I feel an even closer attachment to you guys. And I know, I can speak on behalf of all the Backstreet Boys here, we always love coming to the Philippines because the Philippines has so much love for the Backstreet Boys.”

Although Howie D mentioned his ties to the Philippines in previous visits, he probably wanted to endear himself to first-timers. His recall of his collaboration with local pop star Sarah Geronimo, the song “I’ll Be There,” also thrilled the Popsters in the arena and online. 

Howie D proved how much they know their tour stops by their unique characteristics and histories. Nick even teased, “I think I need to come back and live here or something,” and pointed to a lady in the audience, “You want me to be your neighbor, baby?” 

When Backstreet’s back, they never forget.

6. Pacquiao love 

NICK: “As I was sitting up here, I looked over at Howie, and I thought, ‘Man.’ I said, ‘If you put – like – give yourself a little goatee and maybe a little bit of a beard, you look a little bit like Manny Pacquiao. […] I’ll tell you what, we, Backstreet Boys, we want a rematch! […] Next time, it has to be here, alright? Here!”

The @backstreetboys want a #MayPac rematch set in the Philippines. #IAWLTManila #BSBinMNL

A video posted by Rappler (@rappler) on


HOWIE D: “Thrilla in Manila!”

N: “Thrilla in Manila Part 2, baby!”

H: “That’s right.”

N: “Get it out of Vegas.”

N: “…We’re big Manny Pacquiao fans.”

The nation is probably still reeling in pain from the loss of the Pambansang Kamao (National Fist) to the divisive Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a much-anticipated boxing match last May 2 in Las Vegas. Nick was treading on dangerous ground, owing to the Filipino people’s sensitivity, but he quickly turned things around, expressing on behalf of the band their unequivocal support. (WATCH: Backstreet Boys salute Pacquiao in Manila concert)

7. Back to the studio 

BRIAN: “Kevin was talking earlier about Backstreet Boys going back into the studio. This is a fact. This summer, Backstreet Boys are rolling back in to make a brand new record. But what comes with a brand new record? A brand new tour. So, oh my God, we’ll be back again. [singing] So grab your mom and all your friends. We’re gonna sing some songs and have some fun.”

The boys leave the crowd with something to look forward to, and we certainly could use another heavy dose of nostalgia. Their sensibilities have since evolved, but they remain the Backstreet Boys we have always known. More importantly, they are showing ambition, and we certainly expect nothing less than the best from good ol’ Backstreet. 


This probably has been said many times, but again and again, none could be more apt: Backstreet’s back, all right! – Rappler.com

Paolo Abad is a film/television editor and motion graphic designer. He is also a self-confessed concert junkie. Follow his Instagram for live music @outoftunephoto

 

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Paolo Abad

Paolo Abad writes, edits, and shoots for a living. He is one of the founding partners of the online radio platform Manila Community Radio.