Backstreet's Back

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There’s a telling moment in Backstreet Boys’ 2015 documentary Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of when Brian Littrell, always one of the strongest vocalists in the all-conquering Orlando group, has a bit of an existentialist crisis. “What do you do,” he ponders, “when you’re a full-grown man in a boyband?” Not an unreasonable question to ask given that Littrell – along with two other Backstreet Boys – is now firmly in his mid40s, yet still expected to expound every last piece of teenage energy in performing sugar-coated pop hits I Want It That Way or Quit Playing Games (With My Heart). But with the success of their current Las Vegas residency – and now a date in Dubai in April – the answer was clear: keep going until someone suggests you stop. As Long As You Love Me, indeed.

And Backstreet Boys are still genuinely loved. 2018 marks 25 years since AJ McLean, Howie D, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell answered an advert in Orlando for a vocal harmony group that could meld New Kids On The Block’s look with Boyz II Men’s sound. Immediately the mix of R&B, dance pop and some impressive stage moves won them fans. Debut single