The Rush You Never Want to End : Big Time Rush Lights Up Pine Knob

Last Wednesday, August 6, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the legendary boy band and hit American sitcom idols Big Time Rush at Pine Knob Music Theatre. Accompanied by the lovable Stephen Glickman, who played the part of the band’s outrageous manager Gustavo Rocque in the 2009 television series, as well as Katelyn Tarver who held the role of love interest Jo Taylor, the night was shaping up to be nothing short of incredible for new and old fans alike!

 

 

 

STEPHEN GLICKMAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starting off strong was Stephen Glickman, known famously as BTR’s hilarious manager Gustavo Rocque. Pine Knob erupted as a wickedly popular bassline began to shake the speakers: Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy.” Glickman put his own twist on the indie-pop classic, the crowd was eating it up, and he was only just beginning. Next up was another top-ten: Britney Spears’ “Toxic.”

 

 

Whether you knew the song from the early 2000s clubbing scene or from the daily radio, there was a place for you in this crowd. Lastly was a song that everyone knows: “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers. A song played at every wedding, party, school dance, and birthday party— no matter where you’d heard it, it’s a cult classic in the indie-pop scene. Much to my surprise, Glickman not only had the energy to back doing covers of these platinum-earning hits, but his voice suited each one impressively well.

 

 

 

KATELYN TARVER

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up was a familiar face: Katelyn Tarver, an artist who found her break in 2011, just two years before the finale of Big Time Rush aired on Nickelodeon. Tarver brought her own brand of indie-pop to the stage, performing heart-wrenching originals such as “Japanese Cafe,” “You Don’t Know,” and her latest release, “#1.”

 

 

Tarver started her set slow and emotional, the crowd moved with her tempo as the beginning notes of “Hurt Like That” drifted into the air from her 2021 album “Subject to Change.” Her voice was light and airy like a velvety cloud, backed by a catchy bassline and masterful lyricism. While the song sounded upbeat on the surface, the words she sang demanded to be considered beyond their face, giving us a glimpse into the personal world Tarver navigates with love.

 

 

Next up, from the same album, was the gut-punching “Nicer.” Despite the sweet, honeyed vocals from Tarver, the tone of the song was beautifully somber. The song touched on Tarver’s own self-reflection of who she once was and who she’d become, making the tune a relatable one for every fan who’d ever felt heartbreak. Lastly was the sonorous “Cinematic,” a song that made every face in the crowd smile bittersweetly with nostalgia. It was a piece that truly showcased just how open Tarver is with her fans. If you ever have the chance to catch Tarver live, she’s an artist you wouldn’t want to miss out on! Tarvers performance was just what the crowd needed to get hyped for the main event of the night: Big Time Rush.

 

 

 

BIG TIME RUSH

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lights went down, the crowd fell silent. With that familiar opening riff, the band came bursting onto stage. The crowd exploded with the energy they’d been saving all night for this very moment, 2000s children who’d grown up watching the show and new fans who’d seen the band on TikTok alike united as one front, screaming those three words: Big Time Rush. The infamous band opened with the show’s intro theme and their most popular song: “Big Time Rush,” a self-titled anthem that solidified them as the band of the early 2000s.

 

 

It was a particularly fulfilling moment for myself as well, since they were the very first band I saw perform live when I was only nine years old. Their exceptional performance of the iconic theme song gave us all that satisfying full-circle feeling. Next up was another banger from the band, “Windows Down,” which sampled the hit-song “Song 2” by Blur. Every member of the band sounded phenomenal!

 

 

Last up was the heart-throb love song “Amazing.” If there ever was a boy band to make the fans feel as if they were singing only for them, it would be this one. Every word fell from the attendees’ lips, proving that even after all this time, BTR has had a lasting effect on generations to come and remains in our hearts. While each one of these men are talented individuals separately, when BTR unites, it’s as if the world stops spinning for just a moment. Words fail to capture the true showmanship, lyrical, and stage prowess of this lovable boy band. It was an absolute honor to be able to watch them under the lights once more!

 

 

While I knew this concert was going to be one for the books, every performer exceeded my expectations tenfold. Between Tarver’s emotional performance, Glickman’s high-energy set, and Big Time Rush’s iconic presence, each act brought something unique to the stage while simultaneously being a part of something bigger as a whole. Like many other fans in attendance, I grew up enjoying the simple comedy and catchy songs on Big Time Rush, so this performance was one that healed my inner child. Needless to say, if given the chance to enjoy this iconic lineup in a city near you, don’t miss out!

 

See the last remaining dates for their U.S. leg before they head off-continent at bigtimerushofficial.com/tour.