AJ & Joey Make It A Legendary Night In Chicago!
As the Salt Shed in Chicago morphed into a portal to the late '90s and early 2000s for one magical night, it became apparent that no matter how advanced our smartphones have become, nothing can beat the technology of time travel offered by music. The Legendary Night Tour, featuring AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys and Joey Fatone of Nsync, proved just that. When the theme from *Saved by the Bell* heralded the beginning of what promised to be a legendary (wink, wink) night, you could practically hear the collective heart of the crowd skip a beat - or maybe it was just mine, who’s to judge?
Photos By: Nashville Is His Bride
The stage, set with nothing but a couch that seemed to scream TRL’s prime days, waited for its stars. And as Joey and AJ took the stage, it wasn't just the crowd that erupted - time itself seemed to do a somersault. Ah, the sweet, sweet times of flip phones that wouldn’t let you scroll Instagram, malls being the apex of teenage social life, and when boy bands were the indisputable rulers of pop culture. Nostalgia, ladies and gents, was served hotter than the newest TikTok trend.
The duo kicked things off with Nsync’s Pop, sending us all tumbling down memory lane right from the get-go. Hit followed hit, I Want You Back leading into Larger Than Life, in a set that was essentially every boy band lover’s dream playlist. It was a kind gesture for them to finally introduce themselves after making us lose our collective minds, offering the audience a chance to pledge their teen-era allegiance: Team Backstreet or Team Nsync? Though let's be honest, that night, we were all Team Boy Band.
“This is a legendary night, and if you don’t like it, I’m actually from O-Town and this is Jeff Timmons from 98* Degrees” -Joey Fatone
Joey, with his rat-pack twist on Tearin' Up My Heart, reminded us all why we fell in love with these tunes to begin with. Meanwhile, AJ gave us a taste of his solo music ventures, something to remind us that the ‘90s might be over, but the talents that defined them certainly are not. The night's vibe oscillated between unabashed enthusiasm and heartfelt melodies, creating an experience that was both euphoric and endearing.
As the night wore on, Joey and AJ pulled every trick out of their sleeve, including attempting to stump their keyboardist with TV theme songs (who does know the *Dawson’s Creek* theme by heart, honestly?) and delivering a medley of love songs that had the audience's heart melting and re-solidifying with every note.
Diving into a medley of love songs felt like reopening a diary of teenage dreams. The blend of Nsync and Backstreet Boys hits like I’ll Never Break Your Heart and This I Promise You was nothing short of a fanfic come to life. When The Call started, it was like someone had hit a play button on every girl’s (and some boys') deep-seated dance moves from prom nights past. The night was an interesting mix of nostalgia and fresh tunes, much like finding an old Walkman and discovering it still works.
The crowd participation segment brought forth an interesting mix of covers. Their homage to pop-punk with a cover of Green Day’s Basket Case was unexpected, proving boy band members can rock out with the best of them. Yet, the transition from rock to pop with It’s Gonna Be Me was as smooth as the transition from wearing baggy jeans to skinny ones. And the Sweet Transvestite cover was an electrifying tribute to Pride Month, showcasing the duo's versatility and support for diversity. This concert was less of a predictable playlist and more of a jukebox with a mind of its own, celebrating not just hits from the boy bands but also embracing a broader spectrum of music.
As for hints about a possible future Backstreet Boys super tour in 2025, let’s just say if time machines were a real thing, there’s no doubt where we’d all want to go next. But for now, AJ's vague promises will have to do, sparking a wildfire of anticipation and speculation among fans. Will this be the NSYNC & Backstreet Boy’s dream tour?
“I want to introduce you to someone. You all have known me as AJ McLean of 31 years from the Backstreet Boys, hi my name is Alex” - AJ McLean
AJ’s candid moment, discussing his mental health struggles, added depth to the evening. It was a stark reminder that behind the glitzy pop facades are real human stories. His performance of Good Enough wasn’t just a song; it was a heartfelt moment of vulnerability that resonated deeply with the crowd. AJ followed that up with his single Electric.
Joey, ever the entertainer, ensured the vibe didn’t dip with an impromptu in-crowd appearance, leading fans in the Electric Slide, which was exactly what the doctor ordered for an evening already brimming with joyous reminiscence. His sister Janie joining in for a Whitney Houston cover was the cherry on top, blending family ties with the family we chose through shared musical loves.
The rollercoaster continued with hits like Space Cowboy and Everybody, but the night truly hit its crescendo with I Want It That Way & Bye Bye Bye. It was the quintessential boy band experience, transporting every attendee to a time where the most significant dilemma was picking between CD or cassette tape. There's something truly magical about thousands of voices, young and old, singing along to songs that shaped a significant part of their lives.
Reflecting on the Legendary Night Tour’s stop in Chicago, it was more than just a concert; it was a collective revisiting of our youth, a chance to reconnect with the joy and simplicity of those golden days. AJ and Joey, with their undeniable chemistry and infectious energy, managed to not only bridge the gap between two rival boy bands but also to unite a crowd under the banner of music and memories.
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For a couple of hours, the Salt Shed wasn't just a venue in Chicago; it was a time capsule, a therapy session, and a wild party all rolled into one. The Legendary Night Tour proved that while boy bands may no longer dominate the charts as they once did, their legacy - and the love for them - remains as potent and passionate as ever.
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AJ McLean & Joey Fatone Set List
Pop
I Want You Back
Larger Than Life
Tearin' Up My Heart
Burning Up
Theme Songs (Cheers/Party Of 5/Dawson’s Creek/Golden Girls/Friends/Different Strokes/Greatest American Hero)
Ready To Fall
I'll Never Break Your Heart
I Drive Myself Crazy
This I Promise You
All I Have to Give
The Call
Basket Case
It's Gonna Be Me
Sweet Transvestite
Good Enough
Electric
I Wanna Dance With Somebody W/ Janie Fatone
No Strings Attached
Better Place
Space Cowboy
Everybody
I Want It That Way
Bye Bye Bye
