This isn’t my preferred genre of music, as rock and heavy metal are more my thing. But, a friend of mine told me I should join her considering I did listen to this band in 2009 to avoid being bullied further for my music taste. So, let’s see what I thought of this night!
The concert took place in AFAS Live, Amsterdam. I stood in the queue around a quarter to six, and boy am I grateful I did. The queue was already gigantic by the time I arrived. My friends eventually found me and they did just in time, because due to us standing in the heat and the burning sun, AFAS did decide to open the doors on the dot once it was half past six, and we slowly moved inside. We immediately rushed up to the balcony and found an amazing spot, third row at the front. The support act was named Spencer Sutherland, and he was definitely not bad, but again, not my genre. Plus, a bit too… revealing. And very ‘appealing’ to the girl fans. I wouldn’t be surprised if a fan or two fainted from the things he did on stage. I’m not gonna share his setlist, but you can look it up yourself if you’re interested after my… descriptions. The support act started one minute before time, which was a pleasant surprise schedule wise.
Big Time Rush started only 2 minutes later than the scheduled time, which I didn’t mind. I’ve had worse (hint, 30STM’s concert which started 25 minutes late). They played a total of 23 songs for us, which was honestly quite a lot! Then again, it makes sense for a band who I believe hasn’t been here for a whole decade? Unless they’ve never been here before, I can’t remember honestly. Again, I watched them on a tv screen to know a few of their hints so I ‘belonged’ more to the group of students listening to ‘normal music’ in 2009 and 2010, so I was able to sing along with most songs, surprisingly. Let’s not postpone any further, for here’s the setlist:
- Big Night
- Windows Down
- Elevate
- Song for You
- Waves
- Call It Like I See It
- Weekends
- Halfway There
- Only One
- Nothing Even Matters
- No Idea
- Cover Girl
- Ask You Tonight
- Worldwide
- City Is Ours
- Music Sounds Better
- Love Me Love Me
- Any Kind of Guy
- Paralyzed
- If I Ruled the World
- Til I Forget About You
- Big Time Rush
- Boyfriend
The band’s upbringing on the TV Network Nickelodeon developed for them a fanbase of staggering size. While Nickelodeon success is usually felt predominantly in the US for outfits like Big Time Rush, the group, which is made up of members Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Carlos Pena Jr., and Logan Henderson, has built an equally large following in Europe, so it was no surprise that their return would be met with sold out notices on ticketing sites. Twice, for they were in the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on June 10. It would have taken only a few moments for an uninformed spectator to realise they were attending a performance by a boy band from a TV show when they walked in. Adolescents crowded every corner of the venue with their newly purchased merchandise and clasping plastic cups of drinks. I was able to enjoy a tonne of the band’s career hits, like lively renditions of Windows Down, Nothing Even Matters, and Call It Like I See It with strong backing vocals from the packed audience, many of whom insisted on filming as much of their idols as possible or wanting to capture more sultry moments like when the band members would periodically wipe sweat from their faces with their t-shirts, and of course when they rocked their dance moves. I bet Gustavo must be proud, especially of Carlos. Those who know the show know what I’m talking about. One of the numerous tracks when the band engaged with the audience and invited them to join in singing back to the foursome, who were casually dressed in vests or large t-shirts, was “Til I Forget About You,” a standout tune in the second half of the long 23-song performance. The pace was slowed down by midtempo songs like Only You and Worldwide, which gave supporters a chance to refuel and take a cup of water that was being distributed by the front row security staff into the nauseatingly cramped standing area of the venue. The massive backdrop of HD visuals that flashed up behind each song’s performance lighted up the auditorium in different colours as the band played hit after hit. The bands’ performances felt more like a stadium spectacular than a 6,000 seat theatre production, with lasers shooting often across the room and stadium style lighting dressing the top of the stage. However, the band’s energetic performance of songs like Big Time Rush, Waves, and Elevate frequently helped to dispel that notion. Though, there wasn’t much space for any theatrics or show effects besides that. Only at the end when playing Boyfriend came a bit of confetti raining down on the crowd. Nothing else, besides the lights, happened during the entire evening in terms of added experience. But, the group proved that Big Time Rush’s spark is still burning strong as they concluded their performance with their early 2010 hit, Boyfriend. The positive response from fans will undoubtedly fuel the vocal quartet’s desire to tour once more in the near future. It was a nostalgic and energetic event for fans. The setlist included a mix of their popular songs and some acoustic versions, providing a variety of musical experiences for the audience.
Love, Skye Lewis ❤
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