Where sound meets wonder, New Kids On The Block conjured an evening of pure enchantment at Xfinity Theater. From the first note to the finale, the night was a journey through melodies that danced like stardust and rhythms that pulsed with otherworldly energy. If magic had a soundtrack, this concert was it. 

In 1990, the New Kids embarked on the Magic Summer Tour. The tour was so iconic, they decided to transport us back in time with the Magic Summer Tour 2024 featuring Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

DJ Jazzy Jeff started us off strong with some iconic dance tunes to warm everyone up. I didn’t know who Jazzy Jeff was when I walked in, but he sure knew how to get everyone off their feet. He played iconic songs like “Single Ladies“, “Eye of The Tiger” and even “Livin’ On a Prayer“. The diversity was truly astonishing. He of course threw in his most well known song, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Theme and the crowd went wild!

Shortly after DJ Jazzy Jeff, a very energized and fashionable Paula Adbul hit the stage with “Straight Up“. She transformed the stage into a dance audition and rehearsal space. In her short 30 minute set, she made me feel like I was watching a Broadway documentary on her life. She stopped to  use an oxygen machine as to show how old she is. Paula is 62 and still managed to dance, sing and be tossed around by her dancers. Her set was full of wardrobe changes, skits and a highlight of her dancers. Finally she ended with “Forever Your Girl” and the crowd erupted, their cheers escalating to a fervor that could have drowned out a jet engine.

The lights go dark and one by one a New Kid is lit up by just a spot light. We can’t see their faces, but we know who is who; their names lit up above them. The crowd roared with a volume that rivaled the ecstatic screams of teenage girls at their favorite pop star’s first appearance, except that’s what it was; but, these women were older and reliving their teenage years decked out in all neon tutus and face paint.

They start off with “Magic” and “Summer Love” from their new album, Still Kids. They went back to the 80s with “Favorite Girl” and the screams from women got even louder. I did not expect this from the age demographic of the crowd, but I wasn’t upset. I felt like I was with my people. I love screaming over my favorite artist.

After I put my camera away I ran back to my seat, which I was in awe of. I got to see Donnie Wahlberg up close just in time for my favorite song, “Remix“. This was the first song I heard from them in 2013 and I was so excited to hear it live for the first time! When Remix ended the spot light shined on Donnie and he asked, “Is it alright if we get a little closer?” All 5 guys walked through the crowd and stopped to take selfies with fans before ending up on their own platforms by the sound booth.

They had confetti guns and went right into “Block Party“. The energy was unimaginable. There were screams and cries of joy. They only got louder when Donnie hopped off his platform and ran into the seats, stopping at the barricade by the lawn for hugs and more selfies.

When preparing for this show, I knew this would happen and I knew they would have to walk back down right by me.  There was a gap on the aisle a row in front of me, so an older lady told me I could stand there as they walked back down. I had my phone on selfie video mode and patiently and eagerly waited for Joey and Donnie to walk down towards me. They both stopped to take a quick selfie with me and I was in shock the rest of the night!

After they got back on stage, they took us back in time with “Popsicle” and “Baby, I Believe in You“, right before hitting us with lots of crowd interaction. They brought a few girls on stage to sing Happy Birthday and Danny Wood serenaded one special lady with “Valentine Girl“. I can’t lie, I was kind of jealous, but not as jealous as when all 5 guys had a group of girls come out to dance to “A Love Like This“. 

They ended the night with their biggest hit; “Step By Step” and “Hanging Tough” and finally finished with a good but surprising “Better Days” where we see Jonathan Knight take the spotlight for the first time all evening.

The New Kids On The Block brought the “Block Party” to Hartford, Connecticut and I’m honored to have been a part of it. The Magic Summer Tour is not one you’ll want to miss. I’ll be catching them in Mansfield, Massachusetts August 10^th (again)!