They might have become men over the past several years, but we still know them as New Kids on the Block, or more recently, NKOTB. Call them what you want, but they are back and, yielding to cliché, better than ever. Currently on their Casi-NO Tour the one-time mega popular boy band recently returned to Chicago where they played three sold out dates at The Venue, located in the Horseshoe Casino, in Hammond, Indiana. Though the actual venue is plenty large enough to accommodate big-name acts – and does with regularity – I half expected the New Kids’ set to be scaled down with minimal props and lighting. However, that was not the case at all. A large riser took center stage while a wall of lights that would constantly change per beat stood as the backdrop. The show was big, and the band was jammin’, thanks to a Chicago-based drummer and a guitarist who looked like he’d fit in better with Slayer.
Jordan Knight, Donny Wahlberg and Joey McIntyre took turns singing the leads just as they have always done, only this time with more mature and seasoned vocals. They would later take turns performing their own solo numbers in which Joey sang a steamy rendition of the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams”. Danny Wood and Jonathan Knight contributed with perfectly tuned harmonies and backing vocals to round out the New Kids’ sound, while also busting some very impressive moves.
NKOTB did not disappoint the crowd that was mostly comprised of 25 to 35-year-old women, playing a set that included “The Right Stuff”, “Step By Step”, “Full Service”, “Favorite Girl” and their ever so popular ballad, “I’ll Be Loving You”. The dancing was well choreographed and even better – youthful and fun. The boys also played an acoustic set with Danny taking on the guitar in which “Please Don’t Go Girl” set the mood along with the soft, light-filled curtain that fell behind them.
One concert highlight was when all five New Kids’ walked through the crowd, still singing and waving their arms through the air. Once in the swarm of fans, the five separated, making themselves accessible to most of the main level while Donny took it up a notch and headed closer to the rear of the venue where he balanced on a seat with the help of a few eager helpers.
The night finally came to a close, but not before NKOTB performed one of their top hits, “Hangin’ Tough”, ending the show on a high note and sending the fans home asking when the tour would hit Chicago again.
