Pop Break Live: NKOTB (New Kids on the Block) at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA
NKOTB brought their highly anticipated Mixtape Tour to Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center Thursday 6/27th. The Boston boy band marked the 30th Anniversary of their album Hangin Tough last year by announcing a new 2019 tour, which kicked off in May.
They also brought along other 80’s/90’s hit-makers Salt-N-Pepa, Naughty by Nature, Debbie Gibson and Tiffany. The tour has received incredibly positive reviews so it was no surprise to see that the Wells Fargo Center was packed to the rafters.
Having sold over 80 million records worldwide there were plenty of fan favorites over the night to satisfy the predominately female audience in attendance. The boys (Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre and brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight) opened the show. When the curtain dropped they appeared on a high riser stage and busted into “The Way,” a really catchy number, one of three new tunes from Hangin Tough’s reissue album, released in March.
They played an 30 minute set that included fan favorites like “My Favorite Girl” and “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” and came back later to perform a few mini sets that included: “Didn’t I Blow Your Mind,” “If you Go Away,” “Please Don’t Go Girl,” “Cover Girl,”” Hangin Tough,””I’ll be Lovin’ You Forever,” and “Step by Step.” The band sounded great and really impressed with their high energy choreographed sets.
NKOTB had a little surprise for us when the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders came out on stage and joined them as they performed their latest single “Boys in the Band,” a homage to boy bands of the past. Eagles Wide Receiver Alshon Jeffery even made an appearance.
The concert definitely had a party atmosphere. It seemed like every song turned into a sing-a-long. The stage setup was unique and offered the fans a real up close and personal feel. NKOTB even added a second stage for the fans in the back. The show had everything from smoke, confetti cannons, streamers, a glitter disco ball and some pyrotechnics.
Tiffany and Debbie Gibson really got a great reception with their hits “I think We’re Alone Now,” “Out of The Blue,” “Shake Your Love,” and “Only in My Dreams.” Gibson’s duet with Joey McIntyre on “Lost in Your Eyes” turned out to be one of the biggest highlights of the show. It was a great moment that ended with both of them on top of a piano belting it out. Naughty by Nature and Salt-N-Pepa sounded as good as ever and really got the place going with their popular songs “O.P.P.,” “Hip-Hop-Hooray,” “Whatta Man,” “Let’s Talk About Sex,” and “Shoop.” The real mic drop moment came with Salt-N- Pepa’s “Push It.” The audience’s response was one of the loudest of the night. These iconic Ladies of Hip-Hop rocked it!
The 2 1/2 hour long show was a thoroughly entertaining emotionally charged nostalgic ride for this appreciative audience. This Philly crowd sang their hearts out as they heard hit after hit from artist’s that surely many of them have admired for decades. Some of the fans even played the part and dressed up in their favorite 80’s outfits.
This was one of the loudest crowds I have ever been a part of. Gotta love girl power. The bands really went out of their way to give some fans a once in a lifetime experience as all the acts made the rounds walking through the crowd and arena. Whether it was a high five, a wave, a hug or taking the time to snap a selfie with them, the smiling faces of the lucky fans … simply priceless! This show delivered in a big way on so many levels and was one of the best “feel good” shows of 2019!
 headlining a night of nostalgia at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.){kind=link}