Even in 20 degree weather, devoted Backstreet Boys fans in Columbus Ohio refused to come in from the cold. Not when they could get their first look at Nick, Howie, A.J., Kevin and Brian live, right before their very eyes! TEEN BEAT went behind-the-scenes to bring you coverage of what attending a Backstreet Boys concert was really like. Read on and it will be just like being there!!

Bussin' In The Boys
Three tour buses pulled up outside the back stage door in the alley behind the Palace Theater in downtown Columbus. Every time a coach door opened, screams rang out from excited fans, but it seemed that only crew members were getting off the buses. Where were the boys? Suddenly a familiar face warmed the hearts of the die-hard fans waiting outside in the unbearable cold. Brian was the first to get out, and he waved at his fans, though his bodyguard kept him moving into the Palace Theater. A.J. and Howie were the next boys off the bus. Kevin, who was talking on a cell phone, waved hello with his free hand at the throng of screaming girls. Soon a chant had begun: "Nick, Nick, Nick!" Leave it to Nick to make a dramatic entrance! He got off, smiled, waved and looked as though he was going to mix and mingle with his fans, but his bodyguard kept him on course towards the stage door entrance. We were told the boys had been traveling from a Detroit gig the night before and had been sleeping on the bus right up until their arrival at the theater.(Maybe Nick just wanted to tell some of his fans about the dream he just had!)

The Show Must Go On!
The opening acts, She Moves and Los Umbrellas, started their performances at 6pm and the Backstreet Boys were set to start at 7. An announcement was made, asking fans with gifts to please bring them up to the stage before the show started. In the past, fans have tossed presents, signs, and letters onto the stage during the preformance, and the Boys, who are constantly on the move during their shows, can't always dodge the trajectory offerings! After all, A.J. once sprained an ankle due to the unfortunate landing of a thrown gift so the Boys now use this system to avoid any possible injuries. (And they receive the gifts without any nasty footprints on them!)

Here's Your Front Row Seat!
A cloud of smoke starts to fill the stage, oozing out from behind the black curtain. The lights drop, and deafening screams start all over again. The curtain parts and up atop a riser are the Backstreet Boys, all in different colored baggy athletic outfits. A bright white spotlight hits them and the Palace theater erupts. The Boys break out and are soon all over the stage doing what they do best. The wireless mics they wear allow them to show off their moves. It all seems carefully choreographed, but at one point, they almost run into one another from their enthusiasm of being on-stage in front of their fans once again. Nick runs into Brian who sticks his tongue out at Nick in retaliation. Even in the thick of a show, the guys know how to have fun!

The Party's Over
The show goes by way too quickly. Ninety minutes after hitting the stage, the show's over. The Backstreet Boys have performed 11 songs, danced up a storm, and have given every ounce of energy they own to their fans. In exchange, they have received every ounce of love their fans had to give. The buses are still in the alley, waiting to bring the Boys to Tampa, Fl. where their next gig will take place, and the Boys will bring their own special brand of entertainment to more of their devotees. Don't miss the show when they come to your hometown!*