Source: Billboard
As its first album since 2001's "Black and Blue" takes shape, the Backstreet
Boys have confirmed a host of international tour dates this fall. The run
kicks off Friday (Sept. 17) at the House of Blues in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.,
and will encompass shows in China, Japan and Mexico City through Oct. 16.
Backstreet Boys will donate a portion of proceeds from their Sept. 24 show
in Beijing to Special Olympics International.
According to the group's spokesperson, a new album will be released in the
first quarter of 2005 by Jive. BSB is expected to unveil one or two new
songs during the upcoming performances.
"When we were signed, it was all Nirvana and gangsta rap, and we pushed the
envelope then," group member Kevin Richardson told Billboard earlier this
year. "So we want to push the envelope again and go where people think we
can't take it."
Since the release of "Black and Blue," which debuted at No. 1 on The
Billboard 200 and has sold 5.4 million copies in the United States,
according to Nielsen SoundScan, the group's members have busied themselves
with various pursuits. The lone member to issue a solo album was Nick
Carter, whose "Now or Never" was released in 2002 by Jive.
Here are Backstreet Boys' tour dates:
Sept. 17: Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (House of Blues)
Sept. 24: Beijing (Olympic Stadium)
Sept. 26: Shanghai (Hong Kou Stadium)
Sept. 29-Oct. 3: Tokyo (Yoyogi Gym)
Oct. 15-16: Mexico City (Palacio De Los Deportes)
-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.