Behold, the three performances from this morning’s New Kids on the Block Today show concert!
The guys, reuniting for their first televised performance in 15 years, drew a seriously large, loud female crowd to Rockefeller Plaza. (Some of the ladies camped out for 48 hours.)They opened with a greatest hits medley. While they looked great (Jordan Knight can almost pull off sunglasses in the rain), they sounded just okay. My favorite moment was when they turned their backs to the audience, sexily slithered out of their suit jackets like strippers, and launched into the PG-rated "Please Don’t Go Girl." I did, however, genuinely (!) enjoy the dance mix of "The Right Stuff." (I’m a huge fan of the Joey Mac hip pump.)
After the jump, their best (new single "Summertime") and worst ("Tonight") offerings.
I took some heat on a post earlier this week when I referred to "Summertime" as both forgettable and kinda catchy. You’re right. I should have explained it differently. What I meant was: It has a beat you’ll move to when you hear it, but you won’t carry it with you. I thought the guys sounded their best on this track. Two great moments to watch for: Donnie Wahlberg raising his shirt to show abs, and two guys in a neighboring skyscraper watching the concert from their office window (busted!).
I would’ve preferred to hear another new track, as opposed to this Broadway-esque rendition of the saptacular "Tonight."
Thoughts?
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It hurt to watch that. And yet I couldn’t turn away!
i think i just vomited in my mouth
Was Joe’s microphone the only one on during the medley? The sound mix was horrible. But the performances were fun, I’ll admit…
is the comeback over yet?
For those who have been loving them for the last 20 odd years, we’ve only just begun.
For those who hated NKOTB for the past 20 odd years…your worst nightmare is happening again. Enjoy!
Gotta add one more thing: WTF is up with the backup dancers who likely were infants the first time around? Are they trying to win over a male audience by having gyrating females behind them?
I didn’t like them much when I was in high school, so I’m still not impressed. Here’s what I don’t get – why are they doing this? Donnie Wahlberg has had a successful acting career. It’s not like they are riding a wave of late 80s boy band nostalgia. They just seem too old to be doing this now.
I don’t think I can totally comprehend this. I have memories of 8th grade and backstage passes and hugging Joey Mac… OMG! All I could do was laugh as I watched this. I predict they’ll have some summer fun, and then fade away again.
Oh, and LOVE the dudes watching from their office window!
Terrible.
What was with the mix and the WORST.CAMERA.WORK.EVER!!!!????
Why show all those rain soaked chicks???
Who wants to see them?? They got about half of the camera time…..and the sweeping shots of the crowd??? We get it…there were lots of people there!!!
Missed half the performance and almost all of the dancing because of some idiot in the control booth who felt the need to show off all the camera angles they have of the plaza!!
Jeez!!!
I cannot tell a lie, I could not look away. Also, I am going to hold my head up high as I write this, I will be going to see then in concert.
Worst sound ever.
Pretty bad. I wasn’t a huge fan the first time around, though.
Okay, I know everyone had a favorite New Kid, and mine sadly was Donnie Wahlberg. Either his voice really got horrible or he was severely voice synthesized in all of his performances. And also, thank god that he wore a hat because I was so sad when he started balding/thinning. Also, Jordan’s voice is awful as well. It has not held up.
The only guy who had some chops was Joey MacIntyre. And he was like the guy I liked the least. I remember my best friend in elementary school (who turned out to be gay) had NKOTB shoelaces and we thought it was so “rad”. Heh.
I feel bad for Joey. He’s the only one who can actually sing. Jordan tries, but no more, thank you.
Totally watched it. Totally laughed at it… a lot.
I thought the concert itself was ok but it was fun to watch. After reading the comments, this is what it comes down to. If took part in the NKOTB 15 years ago you understand and love it. Back then every girl had their fav. new kid that they were totally in love with. My friends and I would talk about them, write them letters, never miss one little thing that came on tv, have all their videos and tapes, even dream about them and talk about it the next day at school while wearing our fav. NKOTB t-shirt. YES it was crazy, even funny to think back on, but it happened to me and millions of other girls all around the world. The reason why so many women always will love the new kids is not because they are such great artists. Its because they represent a period in time when life was good, still simple. No kids yet, no men or serious relationships, bills, etc. Back then between the ages of 12-15 most girls life had 3 sweet and simple things to think of on a daily basis:School,Frirnds,& NKOTB!
I LOVE JORDAN HES STILL HOT!
I agree–I think it’s all about the nostalgia. However, there’s a problem. The teenage girls who loved them are now in their thirties and realize how silly it is to watch five grown men pretend to be twenty again and do lethargic choreography to subpar bubblegum music. I used to be OBSESSED with NKOTB at age 13-15, and now I wonder … why????
It was hilarious watching them again. My husband was rolling his eyes and kept saying that he just doesn’t get it. I’ll definitely go see them in concert again, just to relive my youth!
I am in my thirties and I KNOW why I loved them then and have continued too. They are HOT and talented. People need to quit being bias and give them a chance. They are the orginal boyband. They are truly talented. Joe has been doing music all along, he is an amazing performer. I can not wait to go to their concert. Already bought tix! I am beyond ecstatic about the reunion and how awesome for their fan base to have stayed so loyal. Just cuz we are grown and mature, doesn’t mean we can’t have fun with this.
While admirable that NKOTB wanted to reunite because of the fans and “desire” to make music (money), based on what I saw this morning just hang it up. They sounded horrible. Granted they were never great live singers to begin with but the shows were fun and had great energy. What I saw today were near 40 something males entering mid life crisis and wanting to recapture one of their highpoints in life. Please for all that is holy stop this madness and do not go on tour. I would like to continue to remember you ending on a high note creatively while not commercially with Never Let You Go which was NKOTB’s best song ever.
I love them! They did great! AWESOME JOB GUYS! I’m a huge fan of Donnie’s anyway, but I do love them all <3
Yes I feel old, but wow, I really couldn’t turn away. Talk about thinking back…hmmmmmm. I really do like them
I like their new single too, I have to admit!! Yes, I’m in my 30’s, scary huh??
Great that you are excited about this tour, but calm down a little bit. People are entitled to their own opinions.
Personally, watching this I realized why we haven’t heard any of these songs on the radio since 1991. They suck. And they haven’t gotten better with age.
Enjoy the show.
I was very excited to watch this. I have concert tickets and I’m still excited about going to see them in Boston! However, Jonathan still looks odd in this group…Performance was good but I think they could use waaaaaaay more practice before they start the tour…waaaaay more.
This is hilarious! Thirty something men trying to look like a boy band is absurd.
I love the New Kids on The Block. I love that they are back. Donnie is back, because of the fans. You have to be a true fan to understand. Go away you haters.
FYI – their concerts have sold out in mere MINUTES. So obviously there are plenty of us who are happy and excited to see them back. So, if you’re not, shut the f*** up and let them be.
FYI, it was POURING there and it affected the mics…if you’d have watched some of the interviews afterward, you would have seen 1st hand that the mics were going in and out and the rain affected the sound. I think it was awesome and yes, I do have tix to see them in Chicago and will probably go see them in Detroit as well. If y’all dont like it, DONT WATCH:-)