Memories! 8 throwback highlights of the ‘00s boyband concert

While we’re all jamming out to Ed Sheeran and The Weeknd these days (we know, we’re so cool), we have to admit to feeling more than a little nostalgic over the bygone era of the pop boyband.

Was there anything more fabulous than rocking out at your favourite boyband’s concert?

They killed those coordinated white outfits, they flew through the air on wires like angels, and they knocked those perfectly in-sync kick-ball changes out of the park. What was not to love?

Here are some of our fave moments:

1. The dramatic entrance

The entrance onto the stage set the tone for the entire show, and the more dramatic it was, the better. Cue Shane Filan shooting up through the stage like a wizard, Nick Carter breaking through a giant screen, and Justin Timberlake emerging from a pod from outer space. Nailed it.

2. Wearing ALL your merch

The boyband concert was a safe space where you could really go H.A.M and unleash your inner stalker superfan. If Scott from 5ive was going to notice you, you HAD to wear your ‘Invincible’ T-shirt and wave that glow-stick like a mad thing. And a banner with a sassy pun was the ultimate accessory.

3. The INSANE dance routines

What was the point in (your mum) paying all that money for a ticket if you weren’t going to see some crotch-thrusting and booty-shaking? Nothing got us more excited than watching the lads smash an amazing dance routine – extra points for use of props.

4. Bawling your eyes out with your bestie

There was always a moment – usually during the token ballad – when you just got totally overwhelmed by the occasion. All Robbie Williams needed to do was wink in your direction, and you were reduced to a blubbering mess, holding on to your bestie for support.

5. The rush for the sweaty towel

One member ALWAYS let the hype go to their heads and decided to ‘treat’ their legion of adoring fans to the gift of a sweat-soaked towel. Cue a stampede of hormonal girls rushing to catch it, for a chance to sniff and treasure Ronan Keating’s DNA.

6. Two words: coordinated costumes

From pinstripe ‘mob’ suits (with matching fedoras, might we add), to white linen suits (strategically styled open to show off their six-packs), and those SWAT team leather vests – a night at a Backstreet Boys concert was a lesson in dramatic self-expression.

7. Getting told off for standing on the seats

Most of us passed up the opportunity of a seat because, let’s face it, we were there to DANCE! But it wasn’t unusual for those of us with seating tickets to get a tad carried away and stand up on our chairs – to give Dougie Pointer the best chance of spotting and falling in love with us, of course.

This was swiftly followed by a stern telling-off by the security guard, who then gave us evils for the next 20 minutes.

8. Being mortified over your ‘traumatised’ mum

You were obviously way too unstable to be in the same room as Charlie Simpson, so you had to be willing to make one major sacrifice: Mum had to come with you.

But while you’d emerge from the venue in a state of pure ecstasy, your mum would spend the next 90 minutes complaining about the ringing in her ears and ‘shocking drumming feeling’ in her chest. Whatevs, Charlie waved at our section – it was worth it.

 

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