DIGITAL SPY: NKOTBSB live at the O2 Arena: Review

NKOTBSB live at the O2 Arena: Review

By Robert Copsey

Sleeveless shirts, curtain fringes and dance breakdowns were just some of the many, many things that made '90s pop music great. In fact, it didn't take much else for New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys in their heydays to conquer the world. Well, except for the occasional landmark song.
"It feels like 1989 all over again, or 1999 for some of us," New Kids member Joey McIntyre told the crowd. It's a confusing statement for those not aware that both bands are currently in the midst of a joint world tour under the guise NKOTBSB, but the intergenerational crowd cheered regardless during last night's second sold-out show at London's O2 Arena.

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All nine remaining men (out of a possible 12) were noticeably thicker around the edges, but it didn't hold any of them back during a blistering two hour set in which the opposing groups to'd and fro'd between their respective catalogues.
Younger and with more hits under their belt, you'd be forgiven for thinking Backstreet Boys were the real attraction of the evening. On the contrary, 'Dirty Dancing', 'My Favourite Girl' and 'Step By Step' were deserved highlights by New Kids for their cheesy yet brilliantly slick routines and on point vocals - helped along by the plush production of lights and firework displays.
Backstreet Boys were equally unafraid to ramp up the nostalgia, sporting matching white suits for a string of ballads as well as imitating some of their best moves on 'Larger Than Life' and 'As Long As You Love Me'. However, time constraints meant a section covering most of their biggest moments felt rushed, particularly given their significance on the pop landscape.

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Save a curious LMFAO 'Party Rock Anthem' interlude and even stranger moment when One Direction's 'What Makes You Beautiful' was played out during a crowd spotting moment, both bands appeared to embrace their age rather than blindly ignore it. Crotch-thrusting not only became the move of choice adopted by all for the evening, it told their now all-grown-up fanbase that yes, the lyrics really were that filthy.
Despite reports of fan bickering during the US leg of the jaunt, the end of the night was a victory for all. BSB fans welcomed the news that AJ is to be a father and, more importantly, the announcement of former member Kevin returning for their next album and tour. For NKOTB followers it was a win of a very different kind: that after 25 years, the world's first proper boyband can still put on one hell of a show.