Wednesday, December 8, 1999

'N-spiring!

'N Sync wows Saddledome faithful with big hits and lovely harmonies

CALGARY --Out of all the post-Backstreet Boys dance-pop acts, 'N Sync looked to be the one that would rise -- and sink -- the quickest.

 But last night's near sold-out concert at the Saddledome proved that the "other" five-piece from Florida has enough creativity to outlast any second-rate boy bands.

 I don't know what's worse: That 'N Sync are still immensely popular, that I just referred to a band as "post-Backstreet," or that I, along with about 10,500 others, fully enjoyed watching last night's show.

 Maybe it was the pure energy of thousands of screaming, hyperactive teenage girls or the sheer spectacle of a big, expensive pop show that made 'N Sync so undeniably entertaining.

 And boy, what a spectacle.

 The band's entrance was worth the price of admission alone.

 After the lights went down, the huge backstage screen was filled with the face of a jealous "boyfriend" who claimed to have lost his girl to 'N Sync fever and had sealed the stadium. The show apparently wouldn't go on until he got her back. Then the fans heard the band over the PA, talking to each other walkie-talkie style and plotting to bust in through the roof like commandos if they had to.

 Then the pyrotechnics started and the boys descended on ropes from the ceiling, before launching into their first number to piercing screams.

 Wearing matching red, white and black-striped athletic wear -- possibly from Chris Kirkpatrick's clothing line FuMan Skeeto -- 'N Sync dashed around the stage, flirting with the excited girls in the front few rows.

 Their energy was contagious, their dance moves impressive and harmonies infectious.

 While the band played most of their big hits from their 1998 self-titled debut, they also threw in a few covers for good measure -- done with an original twist.

 They went through four decades -- the '60s to the '90s -- by first showing a video of the major events of each decade and then performing a song from that era.

 Strangely enough, the '60s song they picked was actually a '90s-penned tune called That Thing You Do from the Tom Hanks movie of the same name. They followed it with a Jackson Five number for the '70s and Cool and the Gang filled out the '80s.

 In what was one of the greatest examples of irony, or maybe just somebody's idea of a joke -- and it was funny -- cuts from a Rolling Stones live album blared through the venue during intermission.

 Geriatric meets pediatric. (Maybe it was to keep the parents from slitting their wrists.)

 Canadian duo McMaster & James did an adequate job of opening the show and got the large crowd worked up for their idols.

 Their smooth, soulful, radio-oriented pop was fairly generic, as were their dance moves and stage presence.

 The two did the best they could in the short time they had, but it was really 'N Sync's crowd, and everybody knew it.

Set List