Backstreet Boys at Blended

The Blended music festival is back. The Dubai gathering, which ran for two editions before halting in 2015, has announced that it will return this April with headliners The Backstreet Boys. The famed 90's five-piece boy band will perform a one off gig at Dubai Media City Amphitheater on Friday, 20 April.

There’s already a huge line up of artists taken to the city in this year event, with a heap more still set for performances. It’s the first time the famed 90's boyband are performing in Dubai since their December 2009 performance at The Paladium. The Backstreet Boys rose to fame in 1996 with the release of their first album, and went on to sell over 130 million records. The quintet, comprising of AJ McLean, Howie D, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell have enjoyed worldwide success for almost 25 years, and are widely regarded as the best selling boyband of all time.

With this year being their landmark 25th anniversary, the group – known for hits Larger than Life and I Want It That Way – have seemingly remained a tight unit over the years. All five original members - AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson - are still in the band, with the latter taking a six year break before returning to active pop star duty in 2012.

With Backstreet Boys headlining Blended, it is interesting to see the vision that promoters 'Done Events' have for the festival. Blended was originally billed as an eclectic festival and pulled in some big names, including headliners Diane Krall, Elvis Costello and Aloe Blacc in its inaugural edition in 2014 and Kasabian, with Robin Thicke a year later. Does Backstreet Boys inclusion in the latest installment herald a decisive shift towards retro music territory, or will they provide a welcome throwback among a diverse and more current - line-up? Girish Bhat, managing director at Done Events, the festival’s organizers, said, “We cannot wait to bring one of the biggest boy bands of the ’90's back to Dubai this April. The Blended music festival will see a mix of unique activation's, food and drinks offerings and of course live entertainment”.

This time round, the Backstreet will be joined by Melanie C, best known for being one of the Spice Girls. Fans can expect to hear her performing some of her hits including I Turn to You, Never Be the Same Again, and Northern Star. Also taking to the stage will be the English R&B and soul singer Lemar, best known for his songs 50/50, Dance (With U), and Another Day. Dubai 92 DJ Remix Rich will be taking to the decks to close the festival. Tickets are on sale now in four categories from General Admission to VIP; and fans have the additional option to purchase a very special Meet & Greet Upgrade for which includes:

• Meet & Greet with the Backstreet Boys
• Personal Photo with Backstreet Boys
• Commemorative VIP Laminate