3Quency, Soulidified, and AJ McLean Put on a Show to Remember in Anaheim
The night before Thanksgiving is usually full of prep work. People are basting their turkey or preparing to cook Tini’s Mac & Cheese recipe, or they’re simply resting up to prepare for the day full of family interactions. For fans of Netflix’s Building theBand in Anaheim, they were focused elsewhere instead this year. Bringing their joint Bandemonimum Tour to the House of Blues, the quaint but iconic venue was filled to the brim with fans eager to see girl group 3Quency and boy group Soulidified. With a mix of performances from their time on the show, individual stages, and released and unreleased songs, the two groups, along with a few special guests, surely gave fans a show to be grateful for.
The night opened with a high-energy DJ set from DJ Stef, who set the tone perfectly. DJ Stef blended nostalgic hits with crisp transitions, and hyped up the crowd. She even took special care to play boy band and girl group songs from varying eras, paying homage to Building the Band and the two performing groups.
What followed the DJ set was a showcase of artistry, growth, and genuine familial bonds. And, a few surprises along the way. Drawing from their journeys on Building the Band, both groups crafted setlists full of clever callbacks, including special covers from the show, their emerging singles, unreleased tracks that had fans screaming for studio versions, and solo stages that highlighted each member’s personal strengths. The narrative of strangers becoming family was initially told through the Netflix series, but at their concert, it was seen and felt even more.
Soulidified delivered what could arguably be considered their strongest performance to date. Their growth as all-around performers was undeniable even during the Netflix series, but now, months later, and in person, it was even more noticeable. Bradley, Landon, Malik, and Shade were vocally tight, emotionally synced, and visually elevated. Their harmonies blended together like the perfect symphony, each of them exuded confidence, and they even nailed all of their choreography. Bradley and Landon’s dancing, in particular, took the show to another level, weaving charisma and musicality into every movement when they previously couldn’t even hold a beat. What once felt like potential, now could be seen as results. Though their performances of Bruno Mars‘ “Finesse,” Usher’s“U Remind Me,” and Miguel’s “Sure Thing” were already iconic from the show, their best performances were easily their cover of One Direction’s“Little Things” and their cover of *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye.” With the bond they built with the late Liam Payne from One Direction, the stage was a sweet homage to his legacy. As their final performance on Building the Band to show their growth, there was no better moment than this to truly showcase just how far they’ve come.
3Quency, known for their already massive stage presence, somehow managed to level up even further. Their confidence, command of the stage, and natural chemistry made every moment feel supercharged. Each member fed off the crowd, and the crowd fed right back, creating an energy loop that rarely let up. During the final episode of Building the Band, their covers of Chlöe’s “Have Mercy” and Mariah Carey’s“Always Be My Baby” were what led them to victory. As an unsurprising result, these two stages at the show garnered the loudest cheers, the brightest smiles on Brianna, Nori, and Wennely’s faces, and the strongest stage presence. While they stood tall and confident through each stage, these two in particular felt extra explosive, extra strong, and extraordinary.
Surprising fans, Building the Band mentor and legendary boy band Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean also made a guest appearance. His entrance was met with a mix of disbelief and euphoria, and his collaboration with the bands felt both unexpected and perfectly organic. Releasing his solo EP the same day as the show, AJ treated the audience to three special performances before introducing each of the two groups with pride. The mentorship dynamic from the show translated seamlessly to the stage, and the crowd soaked up every second.
Giving one last example of the close bonds they’ve created not just within their own groups, but with each other as well, the show meaningfully came to an end with a joint performance of Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” by AJ, Soulidified, and 3Quency. By the time the final notes faded, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just a concert. It was a celebration of how far these artists have come, and a preview of how far they’ll go. If this concert proved anything, it’s that Backstreet Boys are eternal, and 3Quency and Soulidified are no longer just reality-show favorites—they’re rising forces in live music, and this is only their beginning.
