The Odyssey crowd are a notorious species, with their passion for music and noise at shows by some of the world's top artists well renowned. This, however, was on another level.



The world's biggest selling boyband were in town for their first taste of life in Belfast, and it didn't disappoint.

Fifteen years after forming, Backstreet Boys are still going strong, and they came out fighting, quite literally, as they began their two-hour spectacle.

Opening the show in a giant boxing ring, they belted out 'Larger Than Life', and the heavyweight champs of the boyband world, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ McClean and Howie Dorough, proved themselves worthy of the title.

With just a screen behind them and a simple stage setting, there were no flashy displays or time wasting for wardrobe changes. This was simply two hours of huge hits, superior vocals and fantastic tracks from their most recent album 'Unbreakable'.

The show took fans on a journey from the beginning of their career to the current offering, with tracks such as 'I'll Never Break Your Heart', the song which won them their first 'Smash Hits Award', 'Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)', 'As Long As You Love Me', 'The Call', 'Incomplete' and the huge number one hit 'I Want It That Way'.
The guys also took time out to perform a song from each of their solo albums and their next single which is due to be released on Monday, the brilliant 'Helpless When She Smiles'.

As the hits continued with 'Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely', 'Inconsolable' and 'More Than That', as well as news songs like 'Trouble Is' and 'Treat Me Right', the crowd were already whipped up into a frenzy, singing back every word as the noise became deafening.
The decible level quickly increased as they performed the monster smash 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back), before closing the show with 'Shape Of My Heart'.

The Backstreet Boys may have waited fifteen years to play in Belfast, but judging by this show, it won't be as long until they return.

stacey.heaney@jpress.co.uk