Boy bands make big comeback
NEW YORK—IT seems like we can never say goodbye to them. A decade after ‘N Sync and the Backstreet Boys dominated the entertainment world, boy bands are making a comeback.
One Direction, the British quintet that placed third on the UK’S “X Factor” in 2010, saw its album, “Up All Night,” debut high on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart. The Wanted, another Uk-based quintet, is spending its second week at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart with the jam, “Glad You Came.”
Big Time Rush, a four-member group that has a hit Nickelodeon show on its third season, recently wrapped up a sold-out tour at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, and will embark on a larger US and Canadian trek this summer.
And, Mindless Behavior, formed by the man who discovered Lady Gaga —record executive Vincent Herbert —debuted at No. 2 on the R&B charts in late 2010 with its album, “#1 Girl,” and has toured with Janet Jackson and Justin Bieber.
Ernie D, the creative director of Radio Disney, noted, “It’s amazing to hear, especially on my end, the calls from our listeners—so, that fever is definitely growing.”
Concert tickets
It’s reminiscent of a time when ‘N Sync battled the Backstreet Boys as music’s top act, selling millions of albums and concert tickets, thanks to the millions of girls who invested their time, money, and screamed pleas for their favorite boy band.
Now, there are various boy bands releasing music simultaneously, helping drive one another to the top of the charts. “It’s giving us that little com- petition that makes us want to go further,” said 22-year-old Carlos Pena Jr. of Big Time Rush.
“It’s cool to see many, other boy bands, but we just want to show the fans what we’ve got,” said Mindless Behavior’s Prodigy, who is 15. Roc Royal and Princeton—both 14—and Ray Ray, 15, round out the group.
Big Time Rush had its TV film, “Big Time Movie,” reach over 13.1 million viewers when it debuted on Nickelodeon two weeks ago. They also released an EP of the same name to accompany the film, which features cover versions of classic Beatles songs.
The group members said they weren’t excited about being coined a “boy band” when they debuted in late 2009. “We hated that term, to start with,” 21-year-old James Maslow admitted. “Because, at the time, boy bands hadn’t come back yet,” added Kendall Schmidt, 21. “We feel like we paved the way for the return of boy bands.”
Opening act
The foursome, which also includes Logan Henderson, has released two albums. Their last tour featured One Direction as the opening act. “We want to support other boy bands, as well, because we want that whole genre to come back,” Maslow said.
Beyoncé, who recently launched her production company, Parkwood Entertainment, said she plans on putting together her own boy band. And, the British quartet, JLS, has released three top-selling albums in Europe, collecting five No. 1s.
“There’s always going to be a market for teenage girls and girls in their early 20s who have this desire for boy bands...and, eventually, they grow with the bands,” said Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys, who recently released his solo debut, “Back to Me.”
Age range
The Wanted, whose members range in age from 18 to 23, has released two albums in the United Kingdom; its US debut was released last week. At last month’s Brit Awards, The Wanted’s “All Time Low” lost Best British Single to One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful.”
One Direction, whose youngest member is 18 and oldest is 20, have signed up to do a Nickelodeon show.
Ernie D says that the new crop of boy bands are finding success much faster than groups in the past: “Now, with social media in our midst, you have instant fans—and, as soon as you nail that fan base, you’re on the rise for sure!”