Vegas Trip 2026: Day 2 – The Backstreet Boys at the Sphere
Our reason for coming to Vegas in the first place was to watch the Backstreet Boys Millennium Tour Concert at The Sphere, and tonight all our planning came to fruition.
This was the 4th to last show of their extended residency, and their 32nd celebrating the 25th anniversary of their original Millennium CD and tour. It has been over 32 years and based on the crowd today the group is still going strong.
Naturally, the crowd was mostly a mix of Gen X Millennials with Gen Z sprinkled in via invite. Everyone was asked to wear white or baby blue to match the original album cover and colours of that era. We went the extra mile and had our looks thematic to Millennial styling with stretchy chokers, glitter on our faces, and tiny butterfly clips in our hair.
For fans of the Backstreet Boys there is also a Terminal with memorabilia and photo moments that ticket holders can attend previous to, or after the concert. Our original plan was to do just that in our all white outfits, however these plans got derailed.
We were staying at Planet Hollywood, so technically could have walked off the strip to the Sphere, but it was easier to simply hail a ride share. Although when leaving, given the crowd being asked to vacate the building, and the line to enter the parking lot for the ride share pick up, it is best to take the walk back to the strip, and that we did.
Doors opened at 8pm with their performance starting at 8:45pm and the show running until 10:15pm. There are several bars and a few concession stands for snacks. The Sphere also has Photo Booth stations set up for commemorative photos sent to your email.
There are multiple merch booths on each floor that includes tee shirts with tour dates, hoodies with popular song quotes, and even bomber jackets and jerseys for stylish street wear. Smaller purchases include key chains and pins. We picked up a couple of their souvenir tees.
We were wise enough to read up on best practices. One being the need for patches and/or gravol for those with motion sickness, like me. Immediately walking into the steep stadium and taking a seat at our 6th floor seats, I was nauseated. It took time for my anti-nausea tools to kick in and I found myself seeking refuse in the quiet of the medial room. There, I was able to rest the back of my head against the wall and steady myself. Putting my head between my lap helped too. I also picked up a couple of ear buds and some alcohol wipes to help dilute some of the sensory issues I had between the screaming and strong perfumes. All this helped because when I finally returned to my seat I was well and able to take in all the stunning visuals with no issues. Otherwise I could have wandered down to the nurse’s office on the second floor to grab actual medication.
We purchased one of the Backstreet Boys collector cups for $5 and this was our receptacle for water, free from one of the many fountains. Small sips helped to quench my thirst and aid in the feelings of the above described vertigo.
As for the concert itself the entire spectacle was a treat. Lots of time was put into making the cinematics that played in the background, as the boys danced and sang. There were video clips of them as well as dancers, actors, and visuals to further the storyline of each song. Each different, each based around the story arc that we were in a spaceship travelling through space, with the ability to take us through time as well. I especially love the nod to the Motorola flip phone and CDs. All this is hard to describe in detail, and best experienced first hand.
Our top level seats gave us an expansive view of this, which was 270 degrees in front of us, and included the ceiling. For those wanting to take in more time with the boy band, general admission tickets with standing room only, in front of the stage, is the way to go. Where we were, we had seats and the ability to pop up and down on them, depending on song and if we wanted to move along.
As for the music and performance it hit different at my current age and mental state. I could see clearly why it resonated with me when I was younger and why all the women here tonight were holding a candle for them still. Thanks to the concert I could see how jaded I was, disbelieving in the lyrics and the ability of love like how they sang. But the reality is I grew up with expectations set high by such song and they have yet to be delivered.
Their music promised of love and devoted affection that every little girl grows up wanting for herself, and we all still want now. A time before social media and electronic dating apps. Where men wooed and women swooned. These men were singing of a time when it was common to win over women and prove that love conquers all. And we all assumed they really felt and meant what they were singing. After all they did write their own songs. Majority of them were soulful ballads sung with emphasis and strain on the vocal cords, to show intention and emotional intensity.
There were even songs written for and dedicated to the mothers in their lives. A trend popular during the height of their career with other performers like Tupac, the Spice Girls, and Boys2Men joining in the trend. As they sang about a mother’s love and love for their mothers, there were photos scrolling in the background, showing how they have grown into great Backstreet men.
As for their dancing it felt labourous and slowed to reflect their age and need to conserve energy as 45-55 year old men. They still had matching outfit changes and choreographed dance breaks. However as new age audiences we have been spoiled by k-pop dancing and their fast paced movements along with sung harmonies. Here, it was one member singing a verse at a time and the others swaying with the classic snap and slide motion, keeping beat.
Overall this was a great experience with my friend who loved every single moment and found a piece of her childhood healed as she sang along and filmed every moment. This was a bucket list moment checked off.
Las Vegas Sphere
255 Sands Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89169, United States
Paradise Rd
+1 725-258-6724
thespherevegas.com
