New Kids on the Block w/ TLC and Nelly
Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA
05.06.15
In a flurry of confetti and hazy, vintage teenage dreams, New Kids on the Block stormed the Tacoma Dome on Wednesday night with throwback sounds, yesteryear moves, and some rad insight on their wardrobe swaps. Bringing the late ’80’s into pleasurable view is no easy task, but the Dome became a temporary time capsule on Wednesday night, where bangles, zebra print, and anything sparkly was a go. The crowd, mainly in their late thirties, made sure to keep it real. Generations of women flocked together, like a bedazzled army, to pledge their love after all this time. Twenty-five years and the torch still burns bright…
Headlining The Main Event tour, New Kids on the Block boasted a performance of 360 degrees in the round, meaning they would be generally accessible to the entire dome, on a centered stage. They did not disappoint. Basically every seat in the house had a stellar view of the action; gigantic disparities in ticket prices didn’t keep the level seats from enjoying a great show. New Kids kicked off a few minutes past nine, sporting black hooded robes and flexing the ring like boxers would. A multi-level platform rightfully showcased each of the five members, highlighting their solo responsibilities throughout the set. Jets of steam, pyrotechnics, strobes, and all sorts of crazy popping sounds littered the night, as confetti cannons spewed infinitely into the stands. NKOTB televised their wardrobe changes behind-the-scenes, mainly dressing in some form of black and white, suits included. The only thing more awkward than a Boston-based band promoting the Seahawks was their addressing of the Dome as Seatac. In every way, take it back, New Kids, take it back…
TLC played forty minutes of gold sparkle overall fantasy. Tiny and delicate, they dominated the stage among six other dancers, who were contrastingly garbed in vertically-striped black and white overalls. It was absolutely a night of fashion reunion. While some hesitancy existed, and shadows seemed cast for a show devoid of “L,” T-Boz and Chilli handled the crushing absence in a tasteful and respectful manner, paying homage to Left Eye as they wrapped up their set with “Waterfalls.” A chart-studded set, fluent moves, and spot-on vocals made TLC’s set shine on. Nelly also joined in the fun this evening, in fact kicking off the night with thirty minutes of get-it-done black tank-tops drowned in purple lights and lady sweat.
NKOTB Set List:
Block Party
Crash
My Favorite Girl (remix)
You Got It (The Right Stuff)
The Whisper & Single (mash-up)/Shout
Let’s Try It Again
We Own Tonight
Didn’t I Blow Your Mind/Valentine Girl/If You Go Away/Please Don’t Go Girl
Remix (I Like the)
Dirty Dancing
Just a Friend/Good Vibrations/California Love
Tonight
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)/Twisted
Games
Step By Step
I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)
Hangin’ Tough/We Will Rock You
TLC Set List:
What About Your Friends
Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg
Baby, Baby, Baby
Creep
Diggin’ On You
Unpretty
Red Light Special
No Scrubs
Meant To Be
Waterfalls
Review by T. Monte
Photos by Sunny Martini
New Kids on the Block
TLC
Nelly
