Backstreet Boys Reveal Sphere Residency Will Be 'Larger Than Life': 'It's a Comeback on the Next Level' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Backstreet Boys.Photo:Brian Ziff

Brian Ziff

After 32 years together,Backstreet Boysare still finishing each other’s sentences — and are dedicated to giving boy band fans a one-of-a-kind live music experience.Last week, the pop group made up ofNick Carter,AJ McLean,Kevin Richardson,Brian LittrellandHowie Doroughannounced they would be returning to Las Vegasfor a residency at the Spherein July and August.Called “Into the Millennium,” the experience will bring their 1999 albumMillenniumto life for nine shows.Backstreet Boys in New York City on Feb. 14, 2025.Theo Wargo/Peacock via Getty"When this opportunity came to us to do the Sphere, it just made sense," Dorough, 51, tells PEOPLE at a hotel in New York City. “I mean, it’s a comeback on the next level. You can’t get any bigger than the Sphere.“The band’s last residency in Las Vegas was an “unbelievable experience,” and they were just waiting for the right opportunity to make their return.“We’re bringing a rebirth to a record that we released years ago and taking our fans, some that have either seen some of the show back in the days, or some that weren’t even probably born yet that are seeing it for the first time,” he explains. “We’re very blessed to be able to go back to Vegas too in this style — larger than life!“At the moment, the “I Want It That Way” group is still tinkering with how they’ll handle the visuals at the Sphere. However, according to Richardson, 53, they did a “scouting trip and saw the Eagles” to get some inspiration.“Hearing ‘Hotel California’ live and seeing the visuals, it blew my mind,” he says. “This venue is one of a kind, the possibilities are endless, and so we are just in full creative mode right now with our creative team, getting the setlist together, going over visual concepts.“In a few weeks, Backstreet Boys plan to head to Las Vegas and test some of their creative concepts.“After 30 years of being in this business, something like this comes along, and it reignites your passion and inspires you, so we’re stoked,” adds Richardson.In addition to their forthcoming residency, Backstreet Boys are set to release a revamped version of their landmark 1999 albumMillenniumwithMillennium 2.0on July 11, which will feature will feature remastered versions of the album’s tracks, six unheard demos and six live recordings from their 1999-2000 Into the Millennium World Tour.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Backstreet Boys in January 2023.Mauricio Santana/GettyThe anniversary edition of the album will also feature the band’s new single, “Hey!,” a track they had cut for their 2019 albumDNA.“Once we finished up all the recording process and listened back to all the songs, and started figuring out what the album was going to be, it just didn’t sonically fit,” McLean, 47, recalls. “But the song is great. Everybody sounds incredible, so we’re just waiting for the right moment for the world to hear this song — and this just happens to be that moment.Backstreet Boys' residency will take place on July 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 and on Aug. 1, 2 and 3.

After 32 years together,Backstreet Boysare still finishing each other’s sentences — and are dedicated to giving boy band fans a one-of-a-kind live music experience.

Last week, the pop group made up ofNick Carter,AJ McLean,Kevin Richardson,Brian LittrellandHowie Doroughannounced they would be returning to Las Vegasfor a residency at the Spherein July and August.

Called “Into the Millennium,” the experience will bring their 1999 albumMillenniumto life for nine shows.

Backstreet Boys in New York City on Feb. 14, 2025.Theo Wargo/Peacock via Getty

Theo Wargo/Peacock via Getty

“When this opportunity came to us to do the Sphere, it just made sense,” Dorough, 51, tells PEOPLE at a hotel in New York City. “I mean, it’s a comeback on the next level. You can’t get any bigger than the Sphere.”

The band’s last residency in Las Vegas was an “unbelievable experience,” and they were just waiting for the right opportunity to make their return.

“We’re bringing a rebirth to a record that we released years ago and taking our fans, some that have either seen some of the show back in the days, or some that weren’t even probably born yet that are seeing it for the first time,” he explains. “We’re very blessed to be able to go back to Vegas too in this style — larger than life!”

At the moment, the “I Want It That Way” group is still tinkering with how they’ll handle the visuals at the Sphere. However, according to Richardson, 53, they did a “scouting trip and saw the Eagles” to get some inspiration.

“Hearing ‘Hotel California’ live and seeing the visuals, it blew my mind,” he says. “This venue is one of a kind, the possibilities are endless, and so we are just in full creative mode right now with our creative team, getting the setlist together, going over visual concepts.”

In a few weeks, Backstreet Boys plan to head to Las Vegas and test some of their creative concepts.

“After 30 years of being in this business, something like this comes along, and it reignites your passion and inspires you, so we’re stoked,” adds Richardson.

In addition to their forthcoming residency, Backstreet Boys are set to release a revamped version of their landmark 1999 albumMillenniumwithMillennium 2.0on July 11, which will feature will feature remastered versions of the album’s tracks, six unheard demos and six live recordings from their 1999-2000 Into the Millennium World Tour.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Backstreet Boys in January 2023.Mauricio Santana/Getty

Mauricio Santana/Getty

The anniversary edition of the album will also feature the band’s new single, “Hey!,” a track they had cut for their 2019 albumDNA.

“Once we finished up all the recording process and listened back to all the songs, and started figuring out what the album was going to be, it just didn’t sonically fit,” McLean, 47, recalls. “But the song is great. Everybody sounds incredible, so we’re just waiting for the right moment for the world to hear this song — and this just happens to be that moment.

Backstreet Boys' residency will take place on July 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 and on Aug. 1, 2 and 3.

source: people.com