Monday, March 15, 1999

'N Sync delivers the thrill

Boy band puts on a high-energy show and a tour through the decades

'N Sync lived up to their band name, and then some, last night during an inventive, high-energy show at Maple Leaf Gardens.

The five-member group, who sprung out the same Orlando, Fla., hit factory that has also produced teen idols the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears, delivered a solid performance that went beyond the usual soulless posing-and-special-effects extravaganza that has been turned in by others of their ilk. (Spice Girls, anyone?)

Instead, the multi-platinum group, made up of bedroom poster boys Lance, Joey, JC, Chris and Justin (who range in age from 18 to 27 years old) showed they're not just the latest manufactured pop stars to fall off the assembly line.

Performing in front of 17,000 hyperventilating young fans -- most of the screaming female variety -- 'N Sync did the most with what they've got, that being one self-titled album released last April, which has sold six million copies worldwide.

(There's also their Christmas album but March is a little late to be trotting out The First Noel.)

Anyway, the show -- which sold out in all of one day -- began awkwardly with a large alien-like puppet hitting the stage before 'N Sync made their entrance dressed in neon-coloured, glow-in-the-dark costumes and masks.

They danced around with spears, making for a somewhat primal beginning that only succeeded in stirring up the already-excited crowd of young women, who were on their feet and practically hysterical by this point.

(In some ways, the event was more like a photo-op than an actual concert as streams of girls wielding cameras jumped out of their seats and into the aisles to take pictures throughout the show.)

Exploding flames signalled the first song of the night, the anthem-like Here We Go, and 'N Sync was off and running, helped out by a six-piece band, a slick stage and impressive lighting rig, not to mention an enormous video screen for those in the cheap seats.

So what if the guys need to work some more on their stage banter --"Scream! Clap your hands like this! Side to Side! I wanna see your arms in the air!" etc. -- they can definitely deliver when it comes to their music -- lightweight, R&R-flavoured pop, though it may be.

Songs like You Got It, For The Girl Who Has Everything -- which featured about 10 audience members being brought onto the stage for their own personal serenade -- Crazy For You, I Drive Myself Crazy, I Just Wanna Be With You and God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You pleased the audience to no end.

But for the uninitiated, the best part came when 'N Sync took on some hits and personae of the previous three musical decades, which were individually introduced by a montage of images and commentary.

The '60s saw them dressed as the fictional band The Wonders from Tom Hanks' recent film, That Thing You Do, singing the title track and playing their own instruments (JC on lead vocals, Chris on guitar, Lance on keyboards, Joey on drums and Justin on bass).

Next up for the '70s was The Jackson 5, right down to the afros, fringed vests, serious dance moves and spirited take of I Want You Back.

The '80s featured 'N Sync dressed in dapper hats and blazers for their version of Kool and the Gang's Celebrate!

That actually was my one big disappointment. I was kind of hoping for a little irony and maybe New Kids On The Block.

Set List