New Kids On The Block Photo:Belinda Thomas
The New Kids On The Block (NKOTB) brought their "Full Service" tour to The Verizon Amphitheater in Irvine on Friday night. Opening the show were Jabbawockeez and teen sensation Jesse Mc Cartney. Jabbawockeez, a seven person dance group that won the first season of the MTV show "America's Best Dance Crew". They sported their trademark kabuki style white masks, fedoras and performed a 20 minute combination of mime and hip hop in a medley of songs.
Jesse McCartney was up next and sang for 35 minutes. He got a great crowd reception with excellent vocals and stage presence backed by a live band and two backup singers/dancers.
NKOTB took the stage at 9:00 p.m. The crowd went wild with screams the second the lights went down and were on their feet the entire two hour set. It was a sea of camera flashes and home made signs with some creative fans even using them to spell out ddub soldiers, the nickname of band member Donnie Wahlberg's Official Twitter Page group.
Before NKOTB came on stage, a video montage of childhood photos and footage from the career played on a video screen above the stage. The round stage platform opened and the band appeared in suits opening with the song "Full Service" from their current album "The Block". They played a mix of new songs and past hits such as "My Favorite Girl" and "You Got It (The Right Stuff)".
A definite highlight was the terrifically choreographed dance moves that were impressive from start to finish.
NKOTB are pros at entertaining a crowd, and after years of honing their craft, they are even better than ever. The energy on display from all five members was truly impressive and showed that they were happy to be on stage together again. Half way through the show the guys performed their song "Single" from the middle of the theater at the sound board, giving fans in the lodge area a nice surprise. Donnie Wahlberg then took the lead on "Cover Girl" proving that he is a definite crowd pleaser and entertainer. Jon Knight and Danny Wood kept the vocal harmonies and dance routines in step which included Wood break dancing at the end of "No More Games".
Jordan Knight and Joe McIntyre who both released solo albums each performed a solo spot during the show. Knight, did his hit single" Give It To You, backed by surprise openers The Jabbawockez.
McIntyre dressed in 80 attire broke into the band's song "Popsicle" from their debut album. He then performed on the grand piano a new song "5 Bros And A Million Sisters".
NKOTB saved their two biggest hits, "Step By Step" and "Hangin' Tough" for the encore closing out a stellar live show performance as their reunion tour which was first announced in May 08 wraps up this month.
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