Long-time fans gather at concert pre-party

If you asked concertgoers what brought them to Nikon at Jones Beach Theater on June 4, the answer was simple: the Backstreet Boys. Ticket holders, many of whom won tickets on the air of 103.5 KTU, attended the KTUPhoria pre-party from 3 to 6 p.m. before the concert began at 7 p.m.

Artists performing at the concert included the Chainsmokers, Pitbull and Enrique Iglesias. But as far as pre-partygoers were concerned, it was all about the Backstreet Boys. People came from all over including Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and all parts of Long Island to see the five men perform a song at the intimate gathering before the sold-out stadium concert. Fans even came from Canada.

"The Backstreet Boys are amazing, talented men," said Stephanie Raggiunti, 30 of Toronto, Canada.

At Nick Carter's solo tour in 2011, Raggiunti met Amanda Valente, also 30 from Toronto. Just as crazy about the singers, she has Nick Carter's signature tattooed on her wrist. The duo have been to 30 Backstreet Boys concerts in the past three months and more than 100 in their lives, they said. In 2013, they went on the group's cruise to the Bahamas.

It was their first time at Jones Beach Theater. They got to the stadium at 4:30 a.m. after a 10-hour drive from Toronto. They made friends with other fans such as Eileen and Gail Lieberman, sisters who had Backstreet Boys stories of their own.

"My sister has special needs," said Gail, of Mineola. "I won these tickets for her 57th birthday."

When Eileen was younger, she had "Backstreet Boys pillowcases, posters, everything." Gail said she just kept praying and dialing, praying and dialing to win the tickets. All of a sudden, the phone cut out. When she tried again, she heard "KTU, you're caller 103!" She got all the information and quickly called her sister with the good news.

"I told her 'Stop playing with me!'" said Eileen, who traveled from Connecticut for the show. This was her third time seeing the Backstreet Boys.

It was a nostalgic evening for many fans who have been listening to the Backstreet Boys for more than 20 years now since their formation in 1993.

"We're living our youth," said Ashley Hennion, 29 of Pennsylvania. "It makes me forget I'm turning 30."

The pre-party took place in the small area beside concessions. A small stage was set up with a DJ. There were contests to win meet-and-greets with the performing artists and raffles for cars and trips. The fun didn't end before Backstreet Boys came out to perform "I Want It That Way" with three lucky winners onstage.