The IRL Tour: The Summer We Lived It Big Time - Appreciation Post
For those who don't know, the BTR boys have pretty much been touring and doing shows since their comeback in 2021. And have been touring every year since then. Some fans this wasn't their first time seeing them, for others like myself, the very first time. However, this year's tour really embraced the nostalgia full on like never before.
To anyone who came to a show this summer, the In Real Life Worldwide Tour, or the IRL Tour for short, seemed to heal everybody's inner child/younger selves moreso than the other tours. Everything from the production, to choreo, to the setlist (performing every song from the TV show) and even the openers - Stephen Glickman and Katelyn Tarver, aka Gustavo and Jo. The tour practically screams nostalgia: seeing fans come in tree hats, bandanas, DIY t-shirts, the official merch in the OG colors and the creative signs really showed the community and shared memories within the still growing fandom over the years. Bringing the 2010s reminiscent energy into the present 2025. Despite what had happened in the Wisconsin stop (and trying to make BTR round two happen for myself at Jones Beach - can't say I didn't try), seeing all the content, photos and videos, etc made me feel like I was there in person.
A few quotes from fellow YouTuber Johnny2000 (who covers a lot of the nostalgic 2000s kids shows from Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network growing up) while attending one of the tour stops in Philly said it the best: “Not only did the boys took the Big Time Rush IP and expanded into something different, they took the whole experience and made it into a whole new medium. They rebuilt & revived the TV show from the group up”. “With a concert like this felt more than I was just seeing a band, it was more of I was seeing a show that I was involved in a performance”, which I would share these exact sentiments as well if I actually went. With everything this tour had to offer so far, and from every word of mouth I'm hearing, the rushers had a blast & the cast & crew gave their all every night to make these shows happen and I applaud everybody involved for all the hard work. Additionally, seeing BTR selling out the Intuit Dome (a brand new LA arena) is huge. Couldn't be more proud and in awe and I know it was a milestone show for them. I can only hope the boys can do something similar with their newest music, and if you haven't heard yet, I recommend checking it out.
I think in the future, fans would look back on the IRL Tour as one of the best and most iconic in its own way. The best part, it's not over yet. Far from it, actually. So I look forward to seeing more content for the IRL Tour for the next coming months, starting in mid November all the way to early next year in March.
