The biggest boybands of yesteryear, New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys, took to the stage at London's O2 Arena Sunday night for the last UK date of their NKOTBSB world tour.
The two groups stormed the stage for an all-hands-on-deck opening mash-up number, before NKOTB jumped into their 2008 single Summertime and Backstreet followed with The Call.
The groups played tag-team for most of the evening, allowing time for the all-important costume change. Nearly all the boyband wardrobe clichés were present - there were white suits, black suits, fedoras, glittery t-shirts, army fatigues and some baggy streetwear.
NKOTB's Donnie Wahlberg even tore off his t-shirt to reveal washboard abs and rippling biceps. The women screamed. So did some of the men.
Screaming is an essential component of boyband reunion shows, it seems. In between cranking out more than two decades of pop hits, the bands graciously stopped and posed - eyes looking skyward - for minutes on end so delighted crowds could applaud. It's hard to not get swept up in all that energy and emotion (and muscle).
And so, when Donnie Wahlberg stretched out his sweaty hand as he passed our row - singing passionately into his mic and staring into our eyes - the ladies around me stretched out their arms to touch him. And, I'll admit, so did I. I may have missed his hand and accidentally poked his shoulder blade, but I still feel I was a part of something special.
Being it their last night in the UK, the boys - or men, rather - also had some big revelations. Not only is AJ expecting another baby (congrats, AJ!), but the Backstreet Boys will be returning to London in July to record their eighth album. And if that wasn't enough, former member Kevin Richardson - who left the band in 2006 - will rejoin the group.
Looks like fans of heavy screaming will have even more to scream about in the coming year!
Rating: 3 / 5
Setlist
Intro
Viva La Vida Single / The One
Summertime Remix
The Call
Dirty Dancing
Get Down
Right Stuff
AMA Dance Break
Larger Than Life
Diddn't I Blow / Valentine Girl / If You Go Away / PDGG
Show Me The Meaning / 10,000 Promises / I'll Never Break Your Heart / Drowning / Incomplete
Step By Step
Cover Girl
Favorite Girl / Games
Tonight
Shape of My Heart
As Long As You Love Me
All I Have To Give / We've Got It Going On
Quit Playing Games With My Heart
I'll Be Loving You
I Want It That Way
Don't Turn The Lights Off
Backstreet's Back
Hanging Tough/We Will Rock You
AMA Mashup
SOURCE: http://www.4music.com/news/reviews/4125/New-Kids-on-The-Block-and-Backstreet-Boys-rock-London
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