Backstreet Boys are reportedly planning their first UK tour in years, which will include a concert at London’s O2 Arena. The Everybody hitmakers last performed in the UK in November 2022 with their DNA World Tour, supporting their tenth album.
Tour rumours and insider claims
Now, there are rumours that Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson are jetting back across the pond. ‘Backstreet’s back — and they’re coming to London,’ a source declared.
The insider teased that ‘the guys are on top form and are ready to head out on tour’ following their residency in Las Vegas at The Sphere earlier this year and after kicking off a residency in Düsseldorf on Friday. It’s been claimed by The Sun that the concerts will take place next year, but details remain ‘under lock and key’ for now.
O2 anniversary and German residency
The gigs in the capital are also thought to be making up the O2’s 20th anniversary celebrations. ‘The lads are beyond excited about this and have been working so hard.’
Last week, Backstreet Boys began their Into the Millennium – Homecoming: Live in Germany residency, which comprises 10 shows at Merkur Spiel Arena and has sold 450,000 tickets. These are the group’s only shows in Europe this year, and they’re extra special, since they honour the country that gave them their first platinum record with I’ll Never Break Your Heart in 1996.
Millennium revival and future plans
Millennium was their third studio album, released in 1999, and it became one of the best-selling records of all time, also clocking up five Grammy nominations and leading to one of the fastest-grossing tours ever. Now, the group brings the Millennium world back to life with a 26-song set list, including the anthem I Want It That Way.
Proving no expense has been spared on the production, the stars open the show by descending from the venue’s roof in a nostalgic nod to their late 90s tour of the same name. They then launch into Larger Than Life and ultimately close with the banger Everybody.
Speaking about the residency, Littrell, 51, reminisced on how the band found its international footing in Germany. ‘When we talk about this being a homecoming, it’s because Germany is where everything clicked for us,’ he said. ‘It’s where our dream stopped being hypothetical and became something real. Coming back for these shows feels full circle.’
After wrapping up in October, the band will head back to Sin City for more Sphere shows from November to early January, including one on New Year’s Eve.
Backstreet Boys were formed in 1993 – at which point, youngest member Carter was just 13 – and their self-titled debut album, released three years later, propelled them to stardom. They went on to sell over 150 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling boyband of all time. While they’ve taken hiatuses over the years, Backstreet Boys never officially split up, with even Richardson, 54, rejoining the line-up in 2012 after leaving in 2006.
In recent years, McLean has been touring with NSYNC member Joey Fatone, while Carter has balanced solo endeavours with the band. And with whispers of a 2027 UK tour swirling, it appears they have no intention of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, they even put their hats in the ring for a headline slot at the next Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Speaking on stage in Vegas, McLean, 48, asked the crowd: ‘What do you guys think? Backstreet Boys, 2027 Super Bowl Halftime? Let’s make it happen!’ ‘I mean, why not?,’ he teased. ‘It’s in Los Angeles; it’s right down the street.’
