During Saturday night’s performance at Sphere Las Vegas, the Backstreet Boys delighted the audience by spotlighting their longtime collaborator, producer Max Martin, who was seated among the fans.
“He helped shape our legacy and provided the soundtrack to our lives,” said Howie Dorough before the band launched into their rendition of the Martin-produced Millennium anthem Don’t Want You Back. “He penned all the hits we cherish performing. We owe so much to Mr. Martin.”
“Let’s show him some love,” Kevin Richardson encouraged, prompting the crowd to rise in ovation. “Let him feel the love.”
Martin later shared the moment on his Instagram Stories, posting a clip of himself standing to acknowledge the sold-out crowd. Named Billboard’s Top Producer of the 21st Century, the Swedish hitmaker has collaborated with the Backstreet Boys since their debut single, We’ve Got It Going On, in September 1995. He went on to craft timeless BSB songs like I Want It That Way, Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) and Shape of My Heart, among others.
In addition, Martin has reunited with Taylor Swift for her forthcoming album The Life of a Showgirl. After eight years working almost exclusively with Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, Swift announced last week that she rejoined forces with Martin and his trusted collaborator Shellback. Together, they are responsible for some of Swift’s biggest chart-toppers — “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “Blank Space” and “Shake It Off,” all of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Martin wasn’t the only celebrated collaborator in attendance. Howie Dorough also acknowledged songwriter Andrew Fromm, the creator of the Millennium album tracks “I Need You Tonight” — performed solo by Nick Carter during the residency — and the Howie-led “Spanish Eyes.” “This song is usually dedicated to my mother,” Dorough explained before performing “Spanish Eyes,” “but since Andrew is here tonight, we’re dedicating it to him.”
Saturday marked the seventeenth show of the Backstreet Boys’ celebrated Sphere Las Vegas residency, commemorating the 25th anniversary of their chart-dominating album Millennium. Due to popular demand, the group has extended the residency with seven additional dates scheduled through 2026.
