NKOTB Were Hot on a Steamy St. Louis Evening

 

–by Carrie Ogle

 

Despite the heat and humidity, fans waited in long lines and flocked into Hollywood Casino Amphitheater St. Louis on Saturday dressed in neon to see their beloved New Kids on the Block, along with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

DJ Jazzy Jeff, best known for his collaboration with Will Smith back in the day with songs like “Summertime”, got the crowd pumped spinning other artists songs like Beyonce’s “All the singles ladies” and Journey’s “Don’t stop Believing”.

The excited crowd cheered as Paula Abdul, who just turned 62, came out looking more like 32 singing one of her best hits “Straight Up”. Paula started her career as a Los Angeles Lakers cheerleader, and it was clear that she was born to perform. She was even self-deprecating as she took some oxygen while on stage saying, “This is 62 years old”. The crowd loved it.

During her performance of “Cold Hearted” she had the stage set up like a dance studio and pretended to teach a class to her dancers. You could tell how much she adores her back-up dancers as she spotlighted their solos and images of them as kids on the big screen behind them.

After several more hits she ended her set with “Forever Your Girl”. Paula thanked the audience for their support and letting her do what she loves.

Around 9pm the lights dimmed as the amped up crowd awaited the start of New Kids on the Block. In color-coded clothes, they launched their set with “Magic” along with confetti cannons with heart shaped confetti. Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, and Jonathan Knight can all still put on an amazing show and the screaming crowd proved it.

At one point the quintet pushed their way through the audience to mini stages in the back, lit up in neon colors. Singing and taking multiple selfies with fans along the way. After a few quick songs, Donnie performed “Stay with me Baby” and Jordan performed “Baby, I Believe in You”. Joey melted hearts with his performance of “Please don’t go, Girl”.

After performing two of their most memorable hits “Step by Step” and “Hanging Tough” the Boston boys donned green Celtics jerseys in celebration of the NBA team’s championship. Giving a shout out to St. Louis’ own Jayson Tatum.

They finished off the night with “Better Days”, a track off their new album, Still Kids. It was accompanied by a blizzard of confetti so thick it was impossible to see the stage. If you were an ’80s or ’90s kid, it was just the right stuff to make your night magical.

Don’t forget to check out the full gallery of photos below, after the setlists.

Paula Abdul Set List:

1. Straight Up
2. Vibeology
3. Cold Hearted
4. Opposites Attract
5. The Way That You Love Me
6. Rush Rush
7. The Promise of a New Day / Knocked Out / I’m Just Here for the Music / Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow / Ain’t Never Gonna Give You Up
8. Forever Your Girl

 

NKOTB Set List:

1. Magic
2. Summer Love
3. My Favorite Girl
4. Cover Girl
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Summertime
7. You Got It (The Right Stuff)
8. Remix (I Like the)
9. Block Party
10. Tonight
11. Are You Down?
12. Where Do I Go from Here?
13. Treat Me Right
14. Call It What You Want
15. Popsicle / Games / This Is How We Do It
16. Stay With Me Baby
17. Baby, I Believe in You
18. Never Gonna Fall in Love Again / Paradise City (Guns ‘n’ Roses cover)
19. Happy Birthday
20. Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) / Valentine Girl
21. Please Don’t Go Girl
22. Get Down
23. Summertime (w/ DJ Jazzy Jeff)
24. Kids
25. I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)

Encore:

27. Step by Step
28. Hangin’ Tough / We Will Rock You (Queen cover)
29. Better Days