The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group that rose to fame in the 1990s and 2000s. They are known for their catchy pop songs, stylish choreography, and boy band appeal. The Backstreet Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Their lengthy concerts, filled with nostalgic hits and high-energy performances, have delighted fans for over 25 years. But how long do their shows typically last? Let’s take a closer look at the average Backstreet Boys concert length over the years.
Backstreet Boys Concert Length in the 1990s
The Backstreet Boys first burst onto the music scene in the mid to late 1990s. Their self-titled debut album released in 1996 and follow up album Backstreet’s Back in 1997 brought them massive success. During this early phase of their career, the Backstreet Boys were especially known for their live performances. Their concerts at the time typically ran between 1-2 hours in length.
Some key data points on 1990s Backstreet Boys concerts:
- Their first headlining tour, the Backstreet Boys Tour, ran from March-September 1998. The shows lasted around 90 minutes.
- On their 1999 Into the Millennium Tour, supporting their multi-platinum album Millennium, the concerts were approximately 2 hours long.
- Setlists during the 1990s included hits like “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart),” “As Long As You Love Me,” “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” and more.
- Choreographed dance routines were a major component of their 90s concerts.
So in summary, during their initial wave of fame, Backstreet Boys concerts were high-energy 90 minute to 2 hour productions focused on their early discography.
Backstreet Boys Concert Length in the 2000s
The Backstreet Boys remained hugely popular into the 2000s. During this era, their concerts expanded in length to accommodate their growing collection of hits. Some key data on their 2000s tour lengths:
- Their 2000-2001 Black & Blue World Tour included nearly 2.5 hour shows.
- The Up Close & Personal Tour, in support of their 2005 album Never Gone, featured concerts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes long.
- On 2007’s Unbreakable Tour, following their album Unbreakable, shows ran for around 2 hours.
- Setlists included newer hits like “Shape of My Heart,” “Incomplete,” and “Larger Than Life” in addition to their staple 90s songs.
So during the 2000s, Backstreet Boys concert lengths grew modestly to around 2-2.5 hours as they continued releasing new music and catering to their still-adoring fanbase. The concerts balanced their newer and classic material.
Backstreet Boys Concert Length Today
The Backstreet Boys are still touring and performing around 2 decades after their 90s heyday. While they release new music periodically, their concerts focus largely on their beloved throwback catalog. Here’s an overview of the length of their shows in recent years:
- Their 2013 In a World Like This Tour included shows that typically lasted around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- For their 2017 Las Vegas residency, Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life, the concerts ran for approximately 90 minutes.
- Their 2018 DNA World Tour featured shows lasting roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- Most recently, their 2022 DNA World Tour shows have been approximately 2 hours long.
So the Backstreet Boys today are still delivering full-length concerts, averaging between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours depending on the tour. Their shows aim to take fans on a nostalgia-filled journey through their discography.
Average Concert Length Over the Years
Looking at their concert history as a whole, the average length of a Backstreet Boys show has been:
- 1990s: 1-2 hours
- 2000s: 2-2.5 hours
- 2010s: 2-2.5 hours
- 2020s: 90 minutes – 2 hours
Of course, concert duration can vary within tours depending on the setlist and encore. But generally, Backstreet Boys concerts today clock in around the same length as their 2000s shows, typically ranging from 90 minutes to 2.5 hours in length. Their enduring popularity keeps fans coming back to relive the 90s and early 2000s with a full night of hits.
Notable Factors Impacting Concert Length
Some key factors that influence the length of Backstreet Boys concerts both past and present include:
- Number of songs performed – More songs means longer shows.
- Amount of new material vs classics – Their most popular old hits take up more setlist time.
- Choreographed routines – Their iconic dance breaks add length.
- Solos & medleys – Solo songs and medleys of hits condense time.
- Encore – Multiple encore songs can extend the ending.
- Tour production – Flashy production equals more time.
So elements like a large catalog, elaborate choreography and production, and multiple encores have pushed most Backstreet Boys shows into the 2+ hour range over the years.
Setlist Overview and Song Breakdown
To give a sense of the songs that fill out a typical Backstreet Boys setlist, here is a breakdown of the numbers and types of songs included:
Era | Average # of Songs |
---|---|
90s hits | 5-6 |
Early 2000s hits | 3-4 |
Recent hits | 2-3 |
Solos/Medleys | 1-2 |
Covers | 1 |
So the core of the setlist is the big 90s/early 2000s hits that fans know and love, balanced by some newer songs and mashups. The total number of songs can reach 20+ with the encore. Spread over 2-2.5 hours, this allows plenty of time for costume changes, solo spots, crowd interaction, and high-energy choreography.
Conclusion
In summary, over their 25+ year career, the average Backstreet Boys concert has run between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours in length. Their shows feature a nostalgic setlist packed with their most popular throwback hits, dazzling choreography, flashy production, and memories that transport fans back to the 90s and 2000s. While concert duration varies by tour, the Backstreet Boys consistently deliver an electrifying night of entertainment that their fans never want to end. Their enduring popularity and catalogue of hits will likely keep the Boys playing lengthy, crowd-pleasing shows for years to come.