They are hardly boys anymore, but they are still the Backstreet Boys and are set to play in Moscow on Friday.
The now somewhat-older boys play at Crocus City Hall as they relive the days when they couldn’t go out without hearing the screams of millions of smitten, teenage fans.
Ten years after their biggest success, “Millennium,” which sold more than a million copies in its first week alone, the group that once went around the world in 100 hours on a promotion tour are traveling once again to promote their album “This Is Us.”
Akon, Lady Gaga and One Republic contributed to the album, which the guys are very keen, yet again, on insisting is a different sound to the fresh-faced boy pop of years past. “We always move along with the newest trends in pop music and are ready to experiment,” singer Brian Littrel said in one of a dozen interviews about the album.
Moscow was never immune to the boy band’s charms, and they have a large number of local fans.
“I was impressed by the way they create a unity of sound and how they manage to sing with such passion,” said Mariam, a fan since she first heard the song “I Want It That Way.”
The group will focus on their new album, which Mariam says she knows the words to already, but they will also throw in a few older hits such as “Everybody,” “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely” and “Shape of My Heart.”
Backstreet Boys play at 8 p.m. Crocus City Hall, 66 km mark of the MKAD. The closest metro is Tushinskaya. Tel. 258-0000.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.