July 21, 1999
Thousands of teens, pre-teens and a few parents could be heard chanting, “Let us in! Let us in!” as they waited at the gate at Montage Mountain.
The amassed 16,000 people were at the Scranton concert venue to see one of the most popular music groups in the world — *NSYNC.
The boy band — made up of Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, J.C. Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick — performed at Montage just a few weeks after another pop megastar, Britney Spears, who played there on June 30.
After the venue opened to fans, the excitement for the concert was high. Melissa Baldwin of Effort and Nadine Bordsen of Kresgeville told a Scranton Times reporter, “We just saw Chris and Joey, and I swear we’re waiting here until we see them all.” A few minutes later, Nadine screamed, “Ooh, who was that … did you see them? I think it was them!”
The crowd goes wild during the sold-out N SYNC show Wednesday, July 21, 1999 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
Lance Bass, of N SYNC, performing at Montage Mountain on July 21, 1999. Times-Shamrock Archives
The pop boy band, N SYNC, performed before 16,000 fans at Montage Mountain on July 21, 1999. Times-Shamrock Archives
Joey Fatone, of ‘N Sync, performs at Montage Mountain on July 21, 1999. Times-Shamrock Archives
The boys of ‘N Sync, Justine Timberlake, Lance Bass, J.C. Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick, performs at Montage Mountain on July 21, 1999. Times-Shamrock Archives
Jordan Knight, a member of the group New Kids on The Block, was on of the opening acts for N SYNC on July 21, 1999 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
“They really are a cool group,” Joey Davis of Scranton said. “They’re not just a chick band.
After four opening acts — Jordan Knight of New Kids on the Block, the Sugar Hill Gang, Five and 3rd Storee — *NSYNC took the stage to the theme of the television show and movie franchise “Mission: Impossible.”
Toward the end of the night filled with fireworks and synchronized dance moves, the group hit its fans with two of its early hits, “Tearin’ Up My Heart” and “I Want You Back.”
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
