Let’s Hear it For The Boys: An Ode to the Pop Bands of the 2000s

Two decades may have rolled by, yet the very mention of early 2000s pop bands still sends a collective squeal through every millennial group chat. On Taste of Taylor, host Taylor Strecker devoted serious airtime to the era’s icons, proving that an N*SYNC dance break or a Backstreet Boy key change can still set hearts racing. She lit up the studio when she rattled off the dream Pop2K lineup on her show: “Chris Kirkpatrick from N*SYNC, Mark McGrath, BB Mak, LFO, OTAN. It’s like a girl’s dream.”

Strecker’s excitement didn’t just tap nostalgia—it reignited it. Her guest co-hosts from The LadyGang joined in, swapping backstage stories that reminded everyone why this music still resonates so deeply.

But more than a fond walk down memory lane, the conversation underlined how 2000s pop perfected a balance of choreographed fun, rebellion, and earnest showmanship. These acts were the soundtrack to first crushes, lime green iPod Nanos, and a world that felt a little lighter on its feet.

Why these pop bands still make us scream

Strecker’s panel couldn’t hide their lifelong devotion to Backstreet Boys lore. One member of The LadyGang beamed, “He pulled me on stage,” referring to the Boys, while another added, “I got the rose from each of them.” Moments like those explain why fans happily maxed out credit cards for Vegas residencies and still spring for every reunion tour. The Backstreet camp’s secret weapon? AJ McLean. As Strecker confessed, “AJ carries the f*cking Backstreet Boys…He’s foundational.” His gravel-rich vocals and effortless swagger continue to anchor the group’s harmonies.

That devotion isn’t limited to arena headliners. Y2K one-hit wonders also enjoyed the superstar treatment. Strecker laughed, “I remember LFO came to Sirius, and I interviewed them.” Whether the boys were singing about “Abercrombie & Fitch” or the “girl that’s on TV,” their songs remain a jukebox time capsule of flip phone flirtations.

Fangirl moments that still sparkle

The LadyGang’s Kelty Knight admitted that meeting JC Chasez felt like she “just found [she] landed on the moon first.” She later dissected his “really nerd flirty” eye contact while Strecker’s studio dissolved into playful debate over which host he favored most.

Strecker herself can’t resist a Sugar Ray sing-along. She praised singer Mark McGrath as “the nicest, most self-deprecating, like, humble guy,” noting that he leans into the bit “that he still has frosted tips, and he’s going with it anyway.” 

Ryan Cabrera earns similar adoration. Strecker insists, “You can’t miss Ryan Cabrera, and he’s the nicest person.” Her wife feels the same, so much so that she plans to attend Pop2K mid-pregnancy because “I’m not missing it for the world.” Cabrera’s spiky hair and heartfelt hooks still draw crowds ready to belt every word of “On the Way Down.”

The lasting legacy of 2000s pop bands

The early-aughts boy band boom didn’t just dominate radio; it shaped today’s touring economy. These shows thrive because fans crave a multi-act flashback that feels like a mix CD. Strecker captured that magic while planning her summer schedule, stating, “We’re going to the Backstreet Boys on July 26…It’s time to buy tickets.”

Beyond the bops, these pop bands taught a master class in camaraderie. One host gushed about hugging every Backstreet member, recalling how “we all wore Backstreet Boys shirts” to celebrate the moment. That accessibility cemented a bond between the stage and the audience—a bond rarely replicated in today’s algorithm-driven landscape.

For millennials now juggling mortgages and a skincare regimen, revisiting these hits feels like stumbling upon a forgotten diary. And as Strecker’s Pop2K hype reminds everyone, the party isn’t over—it’s gone on tour.

So, queue up the choreography, dust off the baby blue eyeshadow, and turn the volume up to eleven. The 2000s pop bands never really left; they just waited for us to press play again.