Backstreet Boys: Never Gone World Tour in Singapore

The only regret I had yesterday was being unable to skip school and run after the Backstreet Boys like the paparazzi, which was a HUGE pity. Pity pity pity…

Considering the last time they came to Singapore for a concert was in 1996, this Never Gone World Tour Concert was a great gift to the people in Singapore. Finally, we could bring out the placards and posters again. The ability to be able to hear the Boys sing live for the first time in my life will be something I’ll never forget for as long as I live, because the Boys have the power to capture anyone, including my mum. Thanks for the tickets and your company.

The concert was held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in order to cater to the needs of close to 5000 people, who have filled up the $160 seats and clumped up along the balcony seats. There were Singaporeans, Americans, Britons, Japanese, Malaysians, Chinese, Malays, Tamils, Caucasians… It was a concert which brought people together for a single reason- to watch a phenomenon.

One girl, probably around 15, was gushing with her friends over the autograph she got from one of the Boys. I wanted to go up to her and hug her and say “Great job!” for being such a perfect fan. The Boys need such fans, and that’s why we’re here.

I witnessed another gathering, just besides me. A lady around 60 was watching the concert with her 11-year-old granddaughter and the girl’s father. The 3 were cheering, regardless of age and maturity, throughout the concert. All for a single phenomenon.

The lights dimmed, and for the first time in my life, I saw the Backstreet Boys singing and dancing in front of me. I saw Brian, Nick, AJ, Howie and Kevin bring their music all the way, all 13 years of it, to our gathering. I was so overwhelmed emotionally, I didn’t know what to do except to sing along. Then I was taken over by the Backstreet Spirit.

They did their old hits, like I Want It That Way, As Long As You Love Me, All I Have To Give, Drowning, More Than That, Quit Playing Games With My Heart, I’ll Never Break Your Heart, Backstreet’s Back,… I could go on. Of course, they did their newer songs like Weird World, Incomplete, I Just Want You To Know, Crawling Back To You, Never Gone… I surrendered to the music, heart and soul.

Thanks for coming down to Singapore, because we still love you all these years, and yes, we still sing to your songs.

Thanks to Nick for the guitar parts, you did it well, in fact you should do it often. I loved the way you played around with the drums and the way you spoke to the crowd and the “Move it move it” line has stick itself permanently in my head. But please, do stop smoking for your own sake, if not for the fans. We want a healthy Kaos.

To Kevin, you were mesmerizing. My mum said you looked good. Thanks for the piano pieces, you blew us away with that. Hope Kristin’s fine.

To Howie, I couldn’t stop looking at your puppy eyes the entire night. You’ll still my sweet D.

To AJ, thanks for quit messing around with your body. You should teach Nick a thing or two. You did a great job with your parts. I’ll get you a beanie if you come down to Singapore again.

To Brian, send our regards to Mrs. Littrell and Baby Baylee, he’ll grow into a fine young man. Thanks for coming all the way down to Singapore. You still rock our world. I loved your quirky voice. Haha.

I know it’s hard for the Boys to sing ALL their songs during the 2-hour concert, but 10 years of waiting should earn us enough brownie points for a few more songs? I wanted an unplugged session like you guys did for the Backstreet’s Back album, I wished for solos, I prayed that you all could grab an instrument and play a few songs. Alright, perhaps I’m too greedy.

I didn’t mind the simple dressing of jeans and T-shirt, because that made you guys so real and raw. Thanks for the Hat thingy, I’ve been anticipating that, as well as the The One dance routine. I’ve seen you guys do that so many times on vid, I could teach you guys too. Haha.
Alright.

Thanks for the music. Thanks for the love.