Backstreet Boys - Marysville, CA 8/31/05

Ok - can't start and not finish, right????

So, after the jacket and the AJ/Squeeky toy attention, Erin and I floated out of the soundcheck and back to her car where we decided we had to go get some cold water and enjoy air conditioning.

I called my sister to brag about the jacket and Erin made me promise that when I died that she gets it (heehee).  No worries there, no one else would appreciate it the way she would.  My family thinks I'm crazy.

We're back in time to get concert stuff (great keychain and a BSB sweatshirt), alcohol (Southern Comfort slurpees - WHEE), and food (if you consider a pretzel and fries, food).  As we walk down to what we think are our kick ass 3rd row seats we're in for a shock.  The first few rows are angled into a semi circle and for the side seats, where we are, there is no row 1!

So immediately we're in Row 2 which is cool in itself but then we realize our seats are on the end next to the stage!!!!!  We are, in essence, front row!!!!!

Holy Mary Mother of...  <<THUD>>

The security working the pit area (which is just wide enough for a folding chair) tells us no one will get in front of us because its a firelane and sure enough - he's GREAT through the entire show and our view is never blocked.

______FLATLINE________

Both of our stomachs are on overtime - too much excitement and the best seats Erins ever had for ANY concert, much less a group that we both care about as much as we do Backstreet.  Of course, as soon as the opening acts are thankfully done and the lights drop for Backstreet, we forget about everything BUT our guys.
:-)

Dry ice smoke floods the stage and we see the guys come out and form up on the stairs before the lights even come up.  Between screams I find myself wondering what it feels like to them to know that the ampitheater is full of people who can not WAIT to see THEM.  As nervous as my stomach was, I'm sure their energy thermometer was about
to burst.

They came out to 'The Call' which is a great AJ song for Erin.  Then they did 'Beautiful Woman' and then AJ comes over to our side, right in front of Erin (good thing I love her) and she has a sign that says "AJ...do you need a piggyback ride?" and he laughs a bit as he nods and says 'yes' :-)  Erin is, once again, amazingly happy...and how could she NOT!  Thats three direct AJ contacts in 3 hours!  :-)

Anytime Nick comes over to my side I loose logical thought and wonder if the security guy would catch me if I hurled myself over the barrier. ;-)  But he's being great about keeping people away from in front of us and so I decide not to push it. ;-)

They sing 'More Than That' and then my heart stops because I know that next is Nick playing the guitar for 'Climbing the Walls'  <<THUD>> First, I love that song, plus now he's on our side of the stage, AND to have Nick on the guitar (which also makes me weak)...well, lets just say two words... PANTY CHANGE.

During costume changes (and I use that term loosely because they were just regular clothes for the most part) they would play videos of the boys history - all the way back to their first audition tapes and very first performances.  OMG Nick was a BABY!!!!  I felt dirty for about 5 seconds and then went back to wanting him... :-)

We held our breath when they got to the part where the power cut off the night before and you could tell by their reaction, the boys did too - but all was well and we were on to a whole new part of the show that we hadn't seen.

Concerts are concerts... so talking about the songs just wouldn't review much.  The crowds are always going to be screaming, the boys always sound great, so here are some of my concert thoughts...

On The Guys...

* Nick - all of him.  Yes, I know, thats general, but dammit if that man didn't give 110% the entire show and bounce around enough for him AND a gimpy AJ.  The difference between the reserved and uncomfortable Nick at soundcheck and Rocker-Nick at the concert was a 180 and Annes description after the concert at the Tweeter Center is perfect - he's like a happy golden retriever. :-)

I have to say, I am walking away from this experience with a new respect for him and a greater hate for Paris 'Its all about me' Hilton.  Performing is one thing, but seeing how reserved he is with the public, knowing what he put up with to date Paris just makes me
want to bitch slap her for putting him in that position (and shake him for doing that for someone who was completely unappreciative)

* Brians sense of humor.  My sister is a Brian girl and I've never seen the fascination, but watching him with Baylee and goofing around with the crowd, I can begin to see it.  I'll never switch to the Brian side of the BSB force, but I can appreciate it.  Plus he called Nick
'Nickolas Gene Carter' and I love that. ;-)

* Kevin.  Can I just say 'WHOA'!!!  I thought I would miss the long hair from Black and Blue, but holy sweetness, the man has matured GREAT!  Kevin booty is now officially squeezable and to watch him playing the piano and really truly enjoying being out and singing and dancing... priceless.