New Kids On The Block w/ Paula Abdul and Boyz II Men
KeyArena, Seattle, WA
06.07.17

I could have left my earplugs at home except the screaming of hard-crushing New Kids On The Block Fans would have blown out my eardrums. Those pre-teen shrieks from 30 years ago? They’ve apparently only gotten louder with age. But NKOTB haven’t lost any luster, and they proved it with their 2017 “Total Package Tour,” adding the one-and-only Paula Abdul and iconically soulful Boyz II Men to the lineup for some extra fire.

The night kicked off with BIIM pleading their lyrical asides to a KeyArena full of swooning ladies–and a few willing men–as they showed off their dance moves and masterful harmonies. They got a shorter set than they should have but showcased back-to-back hits, which would prove a recurring theme for the night. They did an interlude of rock covers, playing their own instruments, which has become a regular move during their live shows, and passed out roses to people in the front row.

Up next was Ms. Abdul, on tour for the first time in over a quarter-century. But age sure hasn’t slowed this firecracker of a performer down. Against a massive video graphic backdrop, Abdul and her squad of talented dancers delivered a stellar set of 80s dance-pop. There was the expected exceptional choreography and plenty of costume changes, but it was Abdul’s posi-vibes attitude and classic stories about overcoming challenges that won over the crowd.

And then it was time for NKOTB’s 2-plus-hour set. Who knows how many of these tracks they actually needed, but the crowd sure seemed to know them all as the group medley-ed their way through all the nostalgic hits. The staging emphasized audience interaction, the guys working every inch of the stage with some pretty classic dance moves and plenty of pelvic thrusts.

They had a second stage at the back, and spent a few songs walking the walls along the edge of the crowd, getting up close and personal while fans fawned all over them, security never far away. Confetti, streamers, matching outfits, their trademark backstage quick-change cam, and more than one set of chiseled abs all made appearances, as did a flaming piano.

But over-the-top pyrotechnics aside, the only thing that matters with these groups still drawing hoards of crazed fans is their unstoppable energy. And with a tour package like this, it’s undeniable that it’ll turn into a party. Do they all still have it? Absolutely? Is it worth the ticket price? 100 percent.

Review by Stephanie Dore
Photos by Sunny Martini

New Kids On The Block, Paula Abdul, and Boyz II Men