Of Boybands and Tears - The shock of BSB

Last night I went to a concert that featured two of the biggest boybands in music history: New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys.

When the tour was announced, I was one of those girls that was thinking, "Man! Why couldn't it be N'SYNC isntead of the Backdoor Boys!" <- A nickname that I picked up from my ex-husband (Yes, along with N'SUCK). Granted, I had one of their albums and knew the songs that were sung last night. Sung? No. Perfomed. To call what the Backstreet Boys do SINGING is an understatement.

They perform; but more on this later.

Initially, I was so excited to be going to another New Kids show with my sister. Then to add my co-worker and very good friend Mary into the mix, I was stoked. I was so happy that Mary was going to see what the fuss was all about. Plus, her being a BSB fan for 13 years and never getting to see them live just added to the anticipation.

As the date approached I got more excited to see BSB- I filed his excitement under NICK IS F'IN HOT in my brain. I couldn't want to see this dude do his thing on stage.

Then last night happened. They have a DEFINITE fan in me. DEFINITE. Their harmonies were smooth and easy. Their energy was fantastic and crazy. All four of the guys wanted to be there and you could tell.

The Staples Center was filled with mostly BSB fans. When Jordan stopped singing the bridge for Summertime, the audience wasn't nearly as loud as I remember it being.... ever. Hardly any one around me knew the words to I'll Be Loving You Forever. And there were more I LOVE NICK and AJ DO ME signs in our section than there were New Kids shirts.

This gave me some perspective. When BSB was on stage, I looked around. Something I usually only do during Hangin' Tough because I like to see all the hands waving. But here I was, watching a bunch of girls, AND GUYS!, watch the four remaining members of Backstreet Boys. I was in awe of it. I was on the outside looking in this time. Although, seeing all the faces in the reflection of the shiny white suits the guys were wearing I really don't understand how someone can look in on my love for NKOTB and not comprehend it. It's something we all share as fans, I guess. Something that, if you're not a fan of something that has been meaningful for you, you'll just never understand. And by meaningful I mean... I'm not sure if my sister and I would have ever had the same relationship if it weren't for NKOTB. We would of course be close but for some reason being able to share that then and now, I don't know. The nostalgia and the memories; the private jokes and the dreams, the laughs, the I'm Jordan and I'm a bagel, Cinnamon Toast Worsh... it all just tied up our TRUE sisterhood with a nice sparkly pink bow that dangled with NKOTB charms and whistles.

As the concert went on I realized, LOL, Joe has his own show. He dances and sings and performs for every one without really giving a crap what the other guys are doing at the time. Maybe some people would say that he lacks the unity that way but that's just Joe. He's there to do his best, sing the shit out of the songs and be a goofball. I absolutely love it! And apparently I have a thing for the boyband members that do that. Nick in all his hotness glory blew.me.away. The boy just seeps sexuality ("Am I sexual?" Nick, dude? I had to answer HELLLYEAAAHHH) and his smile is always genuine.

The show continued and when the first notes of Please Don't Go Girl rang through Staples, I felt my knees go weak. I saw tweets and heard things about Joe's performance for this tour and I was anxious. More because I wanted Mary to witness it. I wanted to experience that Joe power with my sister again (she may think Jordan's God but hell, she's a Joe Girl). Joe sang acapella at first then the band joined and then the end. The end. JOE! What the HELL, dude. He knocked the audience FLAT with that performance. I looked at Mary at the end of that long, loud, sturdy, sweet and constant note we all know and adore. Her hand was over her chest and she just breathed, "That was amazing." Yep. You know why? Because it's friggin Joe, dude! He's by far the ruling performer of the Penis Stage.

Then... I don't even remember what song it was to be honest with you. I was checking my phone for texts before what seemed like was going to be a lull. Then from my left came a squeal from Mary and a roar from the crowd. "OH MY GOD, KEVIN!" I immediately looked up, tweeted it (though that tweet never went through) and I fell completely silent. Watching these fans go nuts over the appearance of the fifth Boy left me with chills and tears in my eyes. It was like seeing a ghost, really. Very hard to explain. I felt a deep warming in my heart as the love poured from the crowd onto the stage.

I would think that a lot of fans would be bitter that he left. I've read that a lot of fans were. However, it didn't show last night. It was amazing and almost too overwhelming. I kept thinking, Wow, is this what it would be like if Jon were to leave and then come back? But no. You can't even equate it to that. Why? Because it didn't happen. There's no way to compare what happened to a speculation of what if this or what if that. What happened happened and I was ecstatic and touched to be able to be a part of it.

The vibe and feel of the Staples Center was nothing I've ever experienced. Ever. I've been there quite a few times. I love the Staples Center, to be honest. Because when I'm there it means that I'm going to have an excellent time. Whether it's for hockey, a concert or even basketball; I know I'm there to be entertained, laugh, love and WOOO my head off.

This is the concert of the f*cking summer, people. Maybe of the decade. If you've ever found yourself singing "Oh oh oh oh oh" or "I waaaaant it thaaaat way" you have to go. I don't care if you're a girl, a guy, a crocodile- I don't give a shit. This is what concerts are supposed to be. I've had different experiences at concerts; I've seen a lot of bands perform (my two favorite being Matchbox 20 and Jimmy Buffett). While this didn't exactly knock those artists out of the water, the feel and vibe did It's all about the experience. The thrill of being there. Even the women screaming didn't annoy me. They're cries of affection, pride, excitement, lust, adoration; all of which need to be and are completely acceptable. Those screams are a collective 45 years in the making if you want to think of it that way. (NKOTB formed in 1984 and BSB in 1993.)

They all deserve the recognition, and more, that they have been getting.

And let me just say, I did tweet last night: Okay so @nickcarter can [big expletive here] and we'll be done for the night. Oh and thanks for blowing 22 years of devotion away LMAO

To clarify, I'm not a NICK GIRL now. I'm a Joe Girl and a Carter Chick. ;-) No one could fill that place in my heart that Joe has dug into so deeply. He was my first crush; the one that made me realize boys aren't gross. And for that I'm thankful... and I'm pretty sure there are a few dudes out there that are thankful for him as well HAHA!