BACKSTREET BOYS, SISQO and KRYSTAL in concert Oct. 5, Delta Center, 7:30 p.m.; one performance only.
It was a hearty welcome back party for A.J. when the Backstreet Boys made a stop in the Delta Center last night.
In fact, A.J., who served a stint in rehab last summer for treatment for alcohol abuse and depression, was in top form as the group hit the stage.
The not-so-sold-out audience still sounded like a full house when the boys emerged a la hydraulic lifts that rose from the stage.
And when the fireworks, fireballs and comets — yes, comets — hit the stage, the audience went wild.
Two large screens hung on either side of the stage with a huge circular screen dead center. They caught the boys in action and gave the nosebleed seats a great view of their idols.
"Larger Than Life" was among the energetic tunes that the band (behind the boys) played. The boys were also flanked by 10 dancers, who sometimes got in the way of the scene.
The boys each took time to speak with the audience and also took time to joke with each other as the night went on. Sometimes the video screen would feature backstage images of the five in a seemingly spontaneous costume change. But looking closely at the screen, any fan could tell it was a prerecorded gig, thanks to A.J.'s hair style.
Still, it didn't matter. The band emerged at the back of the Delta Center for a heartfelt rendition of "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely," which they dedicated to one of their crew members who lost his life in the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
A long extended ramp connected the small stage to the huge front stage, which looked like the wings of a B-52. Slick choreography and some stylish pauses only added to the fans' frenzy. But the boys weren't the only ones who posed well.
Opening acts Sisqo and Krystal did the same. Although they weren't backed by a live band (can you say glorified karaoke?), they danced, strutted and flaunted their bodies with some heavy grooves and sometimes nice vocals. Krystal was especially good when she broke out of karaoke mode and played the piano. Her "Supergirl" and a version of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" wasn't bad, but no one can sing like Michael.
Sisqo also pleased the crowd with his trademark "Thong Song," but in the end, all that the fans really wanted was the Backstreet Boys.
E-mail: scott@desnews.com