Backstreet Boys Reveal Their 1 Post-Show Ritual as an 'Older Band' After 'Intense' Performances (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Backstreet Boys in February 2025.Photo:Theo Wargo/Peacock via Getty

Theo Wargo/Peacock via Getty

Backstreet Boyshave changed some of their habits.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the pop group comprised of membersNick Carter,AJ McLean,Kevin Richardson,Brian LittrellandHowie Doroughrevealed their one post-show ritual as an “older” band after “intense” performances.

“We are not that old, but still our bodies take a little bit more of a beating these days,” said McLean, 47. “After a show, you might do a cold plunge, you might go get a massage, you might get adjustments.”

Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Kevin Richardson, Nick Carter, and Brian Littrell of Backstreet Boys in December 2022.John Parra/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

John Parra/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

But before Backstreet Boys perform, they often have the “same” pre-show rituals.“We still pray,” notes Carter, 45, before McLean adds: “We always have a group prayer, whether it’s just us five or it’s us and our crew and our security, our team and management.”

According to him, the boy band’s rider is “pretty much the same” as it always was.

“We’ve still got PB and J,” says McLean. “I swear we’re a bunch of 5-year-olds back there. But there’s a lot more organic things backstage, a lot more healthy options. Sometimes, we’ll have certain gym equipment out there on the road.”

Nowadays, Backstreet Boys always have a room for their families while on the road, too.

Now, for the “I Want It That Way” hitmakers, “sleep is everything,” he says.

In January, Backstreet Boys announced they would be returning to Las Vegasfor a residency at the Spherein July and August.

Called “Into the Millennium,” the shows will bring their 1999 albumMillenniumto life for nine concerts.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Backstreet Boys in May 2023.Dereck Green/Gallo Images via Getty

Dereck Green/Gallo Images via Getty

“When this opportunity came to us to do the Sphere, it just made sense,” said Dorough, 51. “I mean, it’s a comeback on the next level. You can’t get any bigger than the Sphere.”

The “Everybody” group’s last residency in Las Vegas was an “unbelievable experience,” and they were just waiting for the right opportunity to make their return.

Backstreet Boys' residency will take place on July 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 and on Aug. 1, 2 and 3.

source: people.com