When I saw that Alexander James aka AJ McLean from a little known band called The Backstreet Boys was heading to town, my heart almost skipped a beat. Never got to see any of those boys back in the day, or on their countless impeccable contemporary performances like at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Seeing AJ up close and personal in a club sized venue is any fan’s fever dream. Well, dreams come true in Minneapolis sometimes.
Twas Tap Tuesday at Pizza Luce (happy hour prices on drafts ALL DAY) so got myself a slice and a pint before heading to Fineline. After a few chats inside with some giddy concert goers who were also going to the show, got even more pumped than I was before hearing all their stories of seeing BSB and AJ at previous shows. With a spring in my step, popped over to spy a mega line snaking around the block to get in. Thankfully I got there a half hour before the music was set to start because it take take a hot minute to get in. The eager beavers were decked out in so many neat outfits, the majority featuring red and black, Alexander James’ signature tones. The mood was jovial and light, also helped the unseasonable tepid temperatures for a November evening sitting at around 50 degrees. Finally got in with enough time to peep the merch and check out the opening DJ who was spinning some fun hot top 40 hits.
DJ Gabi Wright was all smiles while on stage while the crowd danced and sung familiar tunes with drinks in hand. So happy there were some jams before the opening support was on, kinda weird when there is just a awkward swirl of murmurs and hushed chatter in a music-less venue. Lots of girlie pop tunes to get the audience in the perfect mood for the rest of the night. Great choice to warm everyone up for Matt and AJ!
Matt Bloyd knew what everyone needed, opening with a magnificent cover of "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know" by Britney Spears. His voice is so decadent and poplicious, I get why he has so many albums of covers and Christmas jams. Someone who could sing the phonebook and it would sound good, also explains why he has worked with so many big names in the industry and in Nashville where he is currently based. A fellow Cancer (shoutout to my crabs!) he emotes so effortlessly, easily hitting the high notes and sultry trills of each song no matter the difficulty. Though he had a short 25 minute set, definitely made the most of it. Also doesn’t hurt he is pretty easy on the eyes, all of the AJ fans in the crowd fell in love fast. Can see him being a headliner for his next run through the Twin Cities, and I’ll for sure be right up in front row to witness it.
Alexander James. AJ. Backstreet Boy. Known by so many names, there was a quivering vibration in the audience while everyone waited for him to hit the stage. The crowd was getting quite hot and heavy, numerous powerful perfumes and body sprays fighting for dominance as the minutes ticked away an anticipation. Wanting to get a close look, headed up the the right of the stage where the artists come out. Myself and a few dozen other gals were also vying for the same angle. Dang. Still stayed in the fray until Alex came out, got brief peep through recording cellphone hands and bodyguards as he took the few steps onto Fineline’s now packed full stage. Wasn’t expecting a full band to accompany him, so was pleasantly surprised seeing so many musicians ready to play alongside the newly-solo star.
AJ was immediately rocking out with his guitarist during the intro as she shredded away impeccably. Looking a bit toasty in his blazer, popped it off to the crowd’s delight, revealing his super cool tattoos. Much a departure from his boy band days, this Alexander James was on his own and not only succeeding but thriving. Speaking to the room lovingly and candidly, he remarked that this was “the closest [he’s] been” to the audience in a long time. Fineline doesn’t have a pit or large barrier in front of the stage so it is very intimate. Also saying he was so glad to be performing for us solo, and being that it is his first tour alone, incredibly thankful to everyone in the room. Looking around, I spied many millenials like myself having a blast, but also a decent handful of younger folk and even some kids. One in particular, right by the front, a little girl with huge headphones on beaming up at Alexander James with true wonder and awe. So many great songs were played, including a few token Backstreet Boy favorites at the end, but not sure if he needed to include those. Of course, who doesn’t love hearing beloved favorites with the nostalgia meter running red hot, but his solo work I think can carry him plenty far. Having a dedicated fanbase already, happy he played a ton off of his previous solo works including my personal favorite banger, “The One That Got Away.” Screams, a few tears, and elation all painted the room in an effusive hue.
His voice is just as beautiful as it always has been. Didn’t have much doubt about that. With a second solo album coming out in just a few weeks on Black Friday, November 26th, the AJ and BSB world will have a whole new crop of slick tracks to eat up over the holiday season. Known for so long under his BSB name AJ McLean, relishing in the fact that we all got to finally meet Alexander James.
