‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,’ as the old advertising campaign goes; however, I can’t help but share my recent two-day trip, which included experiencing the Backstreet Boys ‘Into the Millennium Residency’ at The Sphere.

My daughter, Catie, grew up on ‘boy bands,’ and we have vivid memories of seeing N’Sync at Quicken Loans Arena when she was just six years old.  The Backstreet Boys were formed in 1993, the year Catie was born, so she grew up listening to them on the radio – before the days of Spotify -- and liking their music.  Of course, I listened and liked them too. So, when we learned that the BSB were doing a residency at The Sphere, we decided we had to see them there.  

The Sphere, which opened in September 2023, is renowned for its immersive video and audio capabilities, featuring a 16K resolution wraparound interior LED screen, speakers equipped with beamforming and wave field synthesis technologies, and 4D effects.  The venue’s exterior features 580,000 square feet of LED displays and measures 366 feet high and 516 feet wide –it’s the largest in the world.  It seats over 17,600 people and costs well over $2 billion to build, making it the most expensive venue built in the Las Vegas Valley.

Experiencing The Backstreet Boys at The Sphere makes fans feel immersed in all of the concert’s special effects– it is an epic and emotional experience that blends nostalgia with groundbreaking visuals.  BSB is the first act that is a pop group to perform at The Sphere.  Previous acts are bands like The Eagles and Dead and Company, and a screening of a 4D version of the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. 

You might think that the concert would open with the iconic anthem ‘Backstreet’s Back,’ however, to pump up the crowd and really get us going, they opened with ‘Larger Than Life,’ followed by ‘It’s Gotta Be You,’ and then the romantic ballad ‘As Long as You Love Me.’  The concert featured each and every BSB classic along with their signature dance moves, and closed with ‘Backstreet’s Back.’ The boys  -- Kevin, Brian, A.J., Howie, and Nick -- had fans of all generations – mothers and daughters like Catie and me – along with newer fans too, standing, dancing, and singing along.  Before we knew it, the 90-minute concert was over.  We left on an incredible high, along with the nearly 18,000 other fans in attendance. What an experience!

As of this writing, BSB were scheduled through the middle of February, but as popular and as sold-out as their performances have been, it is likely they will be back at The Sphere in the future.  In the meantime, the Wizard of Oz continues to play, and The Eagles, Zac Brown, and No Doubt have dates booked.  Rumor has it that The Spice Girls might be booked in the future. Billboard quotes Victoria Beckham as saying, ‘The idea is tempting.’  If they reunite, you know where to find Catie and yours truly!