 New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys. (File photo.) |
Judging from New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys' sold-out show at United Center on Friday, there are some things one can expect during this tour: a need for earplugs as screaming fans and pyrotechnic blasts reached deafening decibels, flashes of skin and crotch grabs that elicited even more screaming, and quite a bit of entertainment amid some cheesiness.
At the first of their two-night stand, the guys, who are touring as NKOTBSB, stayed true to their set list from the tour kickoff at Allstate Arena last month. Having sold some 210 million albums between them, and each having a dozen Top 40 chartmakers, NKOTBSB's two-and-a-half hour show was chock full of hits. And though their careers began almost a decade apart, sales and singles are not the only thing the groups have in common. Both ushered in an era of assembled boy-band pop; Boston's New Kids on the Block made their mark first in 1984, while Orlando's Backstreet Boys were birthed in 1993. Several groups followed suit, populated the charts and the reality TV show "Making the Band" was spawned for the purpose of creating similar groups.
Their set featured new arrangements, mashups and medleys, with each band having equal play onstage along with some intermingling. After the first of many pyrotechnic blasts signaled the start of the show, the nine-strong crew appeared on one of two hydraulic risers, and performed a mashup of New Kid's "Single" and Backstreet Boys' "The One" with the music of Coldplay's "Viva La Vida." It was one of several mashups that added playfulness to the set, such as when New Kids' "My Favorite Girl" mingled with Bell Biv DeVoe's "Poison" and less successfully when Prince's "Raspberry Beret" collided with Backstreet Boys' "Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)."
There was also a fair amount of corniness. New Kids' "Tonight" and "Cover Girl," reached smarmy territory and sounded dated. The same could be said for the midset string of Backstreet Boys' ballads that wore out their welcome and sounded similar. Still, amid the pitfalls were some gems. New Kids' R&B-tipped numbers, such as "Please Don't Go Girl" and The Delfonics' cover "(Didn't I) Blow Your Mind this Time" transcended era, and Jordan Knight's falsetto, particularly during "I'll be Loving You (Forever)," was spine tingly. Backstreet Boys' "I Want it that Way" was heartfelt and their serenade during "I'll Never Break Your Heart" to audience members onstage, two of whom were little girls, was pretty endearing.
Additionally, there was a backing band, confetti, white and red plumes of pyro, a catwalk, some turns in the audience, super slick choreographed dance numbers, and myriad costume changes. Yes, it was over the top; and precisely the kind of cheesy fun one would expect from NKOTBSB.
ctc-arts@tribune.com
At the first of their two-night stand, the guys, who are touring as NKOTBSB, stayed true to their set list from the tour kickoff at Allstate Arena last month. Having sold some 210 million albums between them, and each having a dozen Top 40 chartmakers, NKOTBSB's two-and-a-half hour show was chock full of hits. And though their careers began almost a decade apart, sales and singles are not the only thing the groups have in common. Both ushered in an era of assembled boy-band pop; Boston's New Kids on the Block made their mark first in 1984, while Orlando's Backstreet Boys were birthed in 1993. Several groups followed suit, populated the charts and the reality TV show "Making the Band" was spawned for the purpose of creating similar groups.
Their set featured new arrangements, mashups and medleys, with each band having equal play onstage along with some intermingling. After the first of many pyrotechnic blasts signaled the start of the show, the nine-strong crew appeared on one of two hydraulic risers, and performed a mashup of New Kid's "Single" and Backstreet Boys' "The One" with the music of Coldplay's "Viva La Vida." It was one of several mashups that added playfulness to the set, such as when New Kids' "My Favorite Girl" mingled with Bell Biv DeVoe's "Poison" and less successfully when Prince's "Raspberry Beret" collided with Backstreet Boys' "Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)."
Additionally, there was a backing band, confetti, white and red plumes of pyro, a catwalk, some turns in the audience, super slick choreographed dance numbers, and myriad costume changes. Yes, it was over the top; and precisely the kind of cheesy fun one would expect from NKOTBSB.
ctc-arts@tribune.com
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