Search icon

Entertainment

31st Mar 2020

The Backstreet Boys’ performance of I Want It That Way is peak #socialdistancing

Keeley Ryan

The Backstreet Boys’ latest performance of I Want It That Way is peak social distancing.

The band recently (virtually) reunited to perform for the iHeart Concert, the musical event hosted by Elton John on Sunday night.

The one-hour fundraising programme featured a number of other performances from Alicia Keys, Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, Dave Grohl and Billie Joe Armstong.

The Backstreet Boys sang I Want It That Way – all from their separate homes – with Richardson’s sons helping out on drums and guitar, while Carter brought his son out towards the end of the video.

Taking to social media after the event, they re-shared a snippet of the performance on Instagram – and said they were “honoured” to be taking part in the concert.

Hosted by Elton John, the event featured performances by Alicia Keys, Backstreet Boys, Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Mariah Carey, Tim McGraw and more, from their own homes, filmed with their personal cell phones, cameras and audio equipment, to ensure the health and safety of all involved.

The concert aired in the iHeartRadio Music Awards’ original broadcast timeslot — Sunday, March 29, from 9:00-10:00 PM ET/6:00-7:00 PM PT on FOX — and on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide, as well as via the iHeartRadio app. The benefit special will be broadcast commercial-free.

In addition to featuring music, the hour-long concert paid tribute to the front line health professionals, first responders and local heroes who are putting their lives in harm’s way to help their neighbours and fight the spread of the virus.

Funds were raised to support two of the many charitable North American organisations helping victims and first responders during the pandemic: Feeding America® and First Responders Children’s Foundation.