New Kids on the Block Concert Review
*Note: I had a problem with my camera so I had to scan these pictures that’s why the quality is so bad. Also, for more videos from this concert check out FatallySeductive, LuckyLanda, and KaosChick98 over at YouTube.
I got to the AT&T Center around 4:00 and got in line. The girls behind me were joking that we were so far back we would be in Group Z. We ended up being let in late because apparently the AT&T Center didn’t expect such a big group - something I don’t understand since you’d expect them to have the numbers but I guess not. Robo came out to give the “we are now part of the family” speech and to tell us that because we were running late there would be no mingling. On the bright side, he said that we would have a professional photographer take our group photos. Robo hung around outside for a while. He was asking when winter-type weather was going to hit and the girls were trying to convince him to come back in February when it could be colder. Of course, he said they’d be in Europe. When asked about a summer tour he said he couldn’t talk about it. Someone also asked him what the guys were saying at the beginning of Grown Man, “yo, check out” what exactly.
When we were finally let in, I picked up my envelope, checked my camera, got my gift bag, and went upstairs to the meet & greet area. They had the crowd-free shopping set up and I picked up a program. They also had some food - I think it was only chicken wings and nachos. Anyway, I set my stuff down and checked to see where I was sitting.
Front row! I was so excited. I never thought I’d ever be front row in such a big venue.
Now the waiting starts for the actual meet & greet part. The first set of groups start lining up. Still waiting. I wandered over to the area and ran into about five other girls that were going to be in my group. We started talking about who we wanted to stand next to. Now let me tell you, in terms of favorites, I’m a Jon girl. Specifically, it goes Jon, Donnie, and Joey with Danny and Jordan tied for last. With that said, when they asked me who I wanted to stand next to of course I said, “I don’t care.” Even now, I don’t know why I said that but I did. Luckily for me, as the girls started organizing themselves no one wanted Jon so I said I’d take him.
Now for the exciting part. Our group is next in line and the guys are behind a curtain. Donnie comes over, opens to the curtains and starts gesturing for us to come in. We shake our heads no because the ILAA people said to stay. He kept gesturing for us to come in and finally the guy said to go so we started walking over. I thought Donnie was just holding the curtain open for us to go in. When the girl in front of me, a Donnie girl, stopped to hug him I thought, ‘of course she wants to hug him, he’s her favorite.’ When she walked through, I walked in behind her and tried to walk right past Donnie. That was a mistake. He said “no, no, no” and grabbed my arm to pull me back. He gave me a funny “where are you going” look and pulled me in for a hug. He let go and next was Danny. I barely remember him. I gave him a half hug said my thank you and then continued on to Joe. Again a half hug, said my thanks and moved on to Jordan. Now this is the part that threw me off. I didn’t expect much from Jordan because he’s gotten mixed meet & greet reviews and he’s not my favorite anyway. I planned to do the half hug, say my thanks, and finally get to Jon. Well, I walk up and Jordan pulls me in for a real, full hug and hangs on for a while. I’d say that at least half (if not more) of the short time I was allowed behind the curtain was spent in Jordan’s arms. When he finally let go, I was dazed to say the least and I must have had some look on my face because the second Jon saw me he started laughing. He asked me if I was ok and how I was doing and before I knew it, it was time to take the picture. I kind of regret not being able to pull myself together to say something more meaningful to him but not really. I’m over-the-moon happy with how things turned out. All in all, it was over so fast. I’m not exactly sure how long after that I waited but they didn’t let us leave until 7:00. I went down stairs to get my camera and find my seat. Turned out, I was just a couple of seats left from center stage. It was amazing.
The first opening act was Tami Chynn, a dancehall diva from Kingston, Jamaica. I thought she was adorable in her striped little tutu dress and she seemed to have a bright personality up there. I was kind of neutral about her first couple of songs but I tried to look into it because it has to be tough opening up to a crowd that doesn’t know or probably care who you are and are anxiously awaiting the New Kids on the Block. There was also a moment when she introduced herself and spelled her name out and some guy yelled at her to get a new name. She shrugged it off and joked that she should, maybe go by TC. She performed Frozen and Watch Me Wine. They were ok but I really loved the last medley of songs she did. I remember thinking I really like this but I’m probably going to forget by the time her album comes out in Spring 2009. Luckily, and surprisingly, KaosChick98 recorded it and posted it on YouTube for my continued enjoyment.
Click to viewNatasha Bedingfield was up next. I’m not a fan so the only song I know even a little of is Unwritten. She did a few songs and she seemed to be a pretty good performer but I really wasn’t into it.
Then it was time. The show opens with Single which is quickly becoming my favorite song. Single goes into My Favorite Girl, notable for the cute moment when Jon messed up the choreography and Donnie gave him a look. Then they did The Right Stuff, a song I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of. Next was Didn’t I Blow Your Mind and Valentine Girl followed by Please Don’t Go Girl. I don’t think there’s anything better then getting to watch them perform Grown Man.
Games and If You Go Away, my favorite love song, were next.
Ok, now I have a problem here. Two of my favorite songs are Tonight and Dirty Dancing. I knew beforehand from reading concert reviews that these happen on B stage. Fine. When they were on B stage I couldn’t see at all and of course the ushers wouldn’t let us stand on our chairs like everyone else because they were afraid we would fall back against the barrier. I’m slightly disappointed but how can I complain. I’m upfront for the entire rest of the show. What I can complain about, however, is that they didn’t even show their performance on the big screen so I really couldn’t see it at all. Oh well, I took the opportunity to sit down and rest my feet. A couple of people were kind enough to record and post 2 in the Morning, Dirty Dancing, and Tonight.
Now we move into the Big Three portion of the show. Donnie, Jordan, and Joe came out to perform Twisted. I should say that I didn’t like the song when I first heard it but I absolutely loved the performance, especially Joe’s dance. After Twisted, Jordan came out to sing Baby, I Believe In You complete with wind and his shirt open. After that he performed Give It To You. I have to say, I was very impressed with Jordan’s performance not only here, but throughout the whole show. Next up was Joe singing Stay the Same complete with a choir of twelve backing him. Finally, Donnie came out to sing Cover Girl. It was during this song that Donnie picked up a thong someone had thrown up on stage and toyed with it for a second before throwing it back into the crowd.
All the guys came back out to sing I’ll Be Loving You (Forever). They looked great dressed all in white. I’m not sure what was going on but Jon and Donnie had an exchange about going down the stairs. The song sounded gorgeous live.
Click Click Click was next (Jon messed up the choreography again and it was cute) and I love the commentary they do about the photo finish.
Their single Summertime was right after that. I really love this song.
Step By Step was next and a highlight was when Jordan said “step one” too soon and then said “oh, shoot!” I loved the addition of the “Push It” interlude. I wasn’t sure if Jon fell at the end of his so-called “butt dance” on purpose or not because I didn’t see it. Foolishly, I turned to watch Joe and Donnie. But I did see Danny look like he was going to fall down, not fall and then Jon come walking down laughing and shaking his head at Danny. Finally, they came out for an encore of Hangin’ Tough and We Will Rock You.
Overall, easily one of the best, most fun concerts I’ve ever been to. The guys looked like they were having fun and I’ll definitely go again if they do in fact tour next summer.