Big Time Rush - Can't Get Enough
Big Time Rush, the Kia Forum - August 11, 2023 Review
Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Big Time Rush?! All acts that graced the stage of the Kia Forum in the past year. And I am just as surprised as you are. I grew up with Big Time Rush. The TV show premiered in 2009 when I was 12 and I was an instant fan. They were my Monkees! Seeing them perform at a sold out, ARENA show not only made my heart happy, but I felt proud of them. It's not every day a band famous for a Disney or Nickelodeon show can make a comeback quite like BTR, other than the Jonas Brothers (I'm still waiting on The Naked Brothers Band...)
I only say I'm surprised because I didn't realize how many other so called "Rushers" there are out there! I saw people holding I heart Kendall, James, etc. signs, wearing costumes from the lore of the show (bandana man, Carlos' helmet, James' bush hat disguise...just some of my favorites!) Even Stephen Glickman, AKA Gustavo, the band's angry and hilarious manager made an appearance, along with Tanya Chisholm who played his assistant, Kelly. Last Wednesday August 9, I saw Taylor Swift at Sofi Stadium, the Forum's next door neighbor and magic was in the air this week. Although not as big as Sofi, the Forum is pretty damn close. Big Time Rush drew up almost as big of a crowd as Swift. And let me remind you THEY WERE SOLD OUT. So just let that sink in. I'm going to break down why I believe the band still holds up.
Their singing was impeccable, with solid harmonies and catchy songs. And not just the classics like the BTR theme song and 'Boyfriend' (which made me cry fyi). Their newer songs off of their latest album slapped too. "Another Life" dropped this past June and the boys picked up right where they left off. This album sounds like it could be from their early days. Plus, they are keeping the boy band spirit alive with their adorable dance moves. James and Logan even did their famous back flips. BTR is talented. Full stop. Carlos had a ukulele solo, and I still stand by Kendall being the best singer of the bunch. However, Logan was coming for his crown with his improvisations and vocal runs. And yes...James is as cute as ever.
I loved how they not only fully committed to the boy band-ness of it all and the nostalgia, singing all their Nickelodeon classics (that's what we're there for), but they were able to take the piss out of themselves and not take it all so seriously. They were corny and cheesy and joked with each other. The best way to describe the night...it felt like the last day of camp. I was transported to my summer after sixth grade. Last night, I was still coming down from Taylor Swift's show, wearing my friendship bracelets given to me by fellow Swifties...and then Big Time Rush blew me away making this a truly magical week of concerts. Artists like Taylor exude positivity and love. Big Time Rush is now up there with the best of them in my book. I just can't say enough nice things about their concert.