Newsletter Signup
Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com
Music
On a gorgeous summer evening following a gorgeous summer day, the New Kids On The Block proved that they’ve still got it — almost forty years after the release of their first self-titled album. The Boston darlings performed a two-hour set on Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, complete with choreography, confetti, and plenty of falsetto.
The band — Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood — played to a packed house at the outdoor venue, full of women of all ages (and some men, too) decked out in ‘80s inspired neons like hot pinks, lime greens, and canary yellows. There were lots of mother-and-daughter duos, and almost as many high ponytails with scrunchies.
“It’s [expletive] different here!” Walberg yelled to the crowd when the band said hello after a few songs. He did most of the night’s crowd work. The band’s set was joyous and high-energy, full of silly choreography that proved they don’t take themselves too seriously, and that showed all their different personalities.
Formed in 1984, New Kids On The Block (NKOTB) are considered one of the first “boy bands” in the way we use the term today, paving the way for others like the Backstreet Boys and ‘NSync. Hailing from Dorchester, they shot to success in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, performing the halftime show at Super Bowl XXV in 1991.
Donnie’s brother Mark Wahlberg was in the group for a few months in the ‘80s, but that was back when they were called Nynuk. Following a breakup from 1994 to 2007, they’ve continued to tour and release music, releasing their eighth studio album, “Still Kids,” on May 17, 2024. The kids don’t just sing, either — Jonathan Knight’s been starring in a popular HGTV show with North Shore-based interior designer Kristina Crestin for three seasons.
Singer and dancer Paula Abdul supported the band as the second opening act, just after DJ Jazzy Jeff’s set — and, as it turns out, NKOTB aren’t the only ones with still-impressive showmanship after decades on the stage. She opened with her hit “Straight Up,” accompanied by dancers and props like spinning tables, after which she made a show of stopping to grab a drink of water, and a few breaths from an oxygen machine.
“You think I’m kidding?” she asked a chuckling audience. “This is 62, folks!” But 62 looked great on her as she flew through a 30-minute theatrical, choreographed set of medleys, relying heavily on props and backup dancers. Each of her dancers got a solo, too.
The New Kids came out right on schedule, opening with “Magic,” the first track off their most recent record. The set design’s neons matched those in the audience as streamers flew and they shifted into “Summer Love,” the second track off said album, which showcases each of their vocals individually — and they really did all sound great.
“My Favorite Girl” was accompanied by more confetti (this time heart-shaped) and Jordan’s impressive falsetto. They took their neon-colored bombers off for “Cover Girl,” lining up at standing mics behind Wahlberg, Four Seasons-style, as he crooned — and shook his butt, and lifted his shirt. And that wasn’t nearly the only time we saw Donnie Wahlberg’s bare (and very much in shape) torso all night — Jordan’s and Danny’s made appearances, too.
On lead vocals for “Summertime,” McIntyre changed “Jones Beach” to “Nantasket Beach.” “But you fell for the boy from the city,” became “… from Boston,” and he sang about thinking of Boston in the summertime, rather than his ex-flame. And after “You Got It (Right Stuff),” the crowd’s gratuitous applause lasted for several minutes.
“It’s different here!” Wahlberg exclaimed when the band got around to some crowdwork. “It’s [expletive] different here,” he said, Boston accent on the “here.”
“It’s louder, it’s crazier,” he said. “Even the screams have a Boston accent — it’s sexier!”
“It’s different because we come from where you come from,” Wahlberg said. Then the band broke into a series of tracks even more high energy than the last.
A fan flew a bedazzled Dorchester flag as the band continued on — they played “Remix (I Like The),” in which they involved the crowd’s vocals, “Block Party,” during which they came down the aisles and stood on individual platforms between the front and mid sections, and “Tonight,” a cute, Billy Joel-esque number ending with a long dance break and some more shirtless-ness.
After a consume change, NKOTB continued on — McIntyre sang a piano solo (“Where Do I Go From Here”), and then came a few different medleys as Wahlberg revealed a bedazzled, green “Boston” tee-shirt under his vest.
Jordan Knight had a solo, too — “Baby I Believe In You” — during which he threw open his white button down, and Danny Wood shone during “Never Gonna Fall in Love.” The band brought two birthday girls on stage for “Happy Birthday,” with a beautiful vocal harmony at the end.
DJ Jazzy Jeff came back on stage for support with a few tracks, like “Get Down” and “Summertime,” which he originally recorded with the Fresh Prince. A 20-year-old fan came on stage for that one, and knew every single word.
“I got one more song I gotta play,” said DJ Jazzy Jeff. “Just for Boston?” asked Donnie. “Just for Boston,” said DJ Jazzy Jeff, as he started “Sweet Caroline,” for which the crowd went wild.
Next, they went into hits like “Kids” and “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever),” the latter of which showcased Jordan’s impressively strong vocals.
Ahead of “Step by Step,” the kids changed into bedazzled Celtics jerseys. They finished up the set strong with “Hangin’ Tough” and “Better Days,” another track off their recent album.
The night was chilly by the time the set ended at 10:55 p.m., the post-concert mood joyful and the ponytails only a little disheveled. I just hope no fans were taking shots every time one of the New Kids did a hip thrust.
Setlist for New Kids On The Block, Xfinity Center, Aug. 10:
Better Days
Magic
Summer Love
My Favorite Girl
Cover Girl
Dirty Dancing
Summertime
You Got It (The Right Stuff)
Remix (I Like The)
Block Party
Tonight
Where Do I Go From Here? / Treat Me Right
Call It What You Want
Popsicle / Games / This Is How We Do It / Stay With Me Baby
Baby I Believe In You / Never Gonna Fall In Love / Paradise City
Happy Birthday
Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) / Valentine Girl
Please Don’t Go Girl
Get Down
Dance With You / A Love Like This
In The Night / Long Time Coming
Summertime (by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince)
Sweet Caroline
Kids
I’ll Be Loving You
Step By Step
Hangin’ Tough / We Will Rock You
Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com
Re “What are the best — and worst — Boston accents in the movies?” (Sunday Arts, Aug. 4): I’m always happy to see Robert Mitchum recognized for his Boston accent as Eddie “Fingers” Coyle (“Hurt like a bastid,” says Eddie/Mitchum, describing how he got his nickname). I would add to the list, for TV, James Badge Dale as State Police Detective Ray Abruzzo in “Hightown” — understated, but clearly so Boston. Aside from the accent, the most Boston line of dialogue I’ve ever heard in a movie was delivered by the Boston-born actor Dennis Lynch as a city clerk in “Spotlight.” Lynch’s clerk is at his post when Globe reporter Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo) comes in wanting to obtain a crucial document. When he is denied, Rezendes says, “Look, I work for the Globe!” To which the clerk/Lynch says simply, “Good for you.”
Jon Garelick
Somerville
First, just test your actors beforehand. Let the best two-thirds of them do their fake Boston accents, but tell the ones who can’t cut it to just use their natural voices. Lots of longtime residents, even native Bostonians, have no accent!
And yes, the TV series “Ray Donovan” had some bad ones (Paula Malcomson, who played Ray’s wife), but it also featured three of the best, by three of the top actors alive: Liev Schreiber, Eddie Marsan, and Jon Voight. They come across as real people who just happen to have accents rather than one-note, AI-programmed accent bots.
Also, natives such as Mark Wahlberg and Ben Affleck are often the worst. Either they slip out of the accent or they oversell it egregiously.
Finally, no one mentioned Robin Williams in “Good Will Hunting”?!
Rich Feinberg
Boston
U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton sentenced James Carnes, 61, of Canton, to a day of time served, two years of supervised probation — the first six months of which is to be served under house arrest — a $5,000 fine and $20,106 in restitution.
Originally Published:
Local News
A construction worker died Friday after falling from scaffolding in Boston’s theater district.
The man, who was not identified, fell from scaffolding at the Emerson Majestic Theatre around 12:45 p.m., The Boston Globe reported. A Boston police spokesperson said the incident is under investigation.
The fall happened in an alley by the theater, located at 19 Tremont St. Officials have not released information about how the victim fell.
Emerson College President Jay Bernhardt sent an email to the college community expressing his condolences.
“Emerson College extends our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of this person and our heartfelt support to anyone who may have witnessed this tragedy,” Bernhardt wrote. “We are still learning more about what occurred, and are in open, ongoing contact with city authorities. They will manage the sharing of information, including the identity of the individual and the circumstances surrounding this incident.”
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu released a statement saying the city was assisting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with an investigation.
“Every construction worker deserves to go home to their family, and my thoughts are with their loved ones after this devastating incident,” Wu said. “The city will continue to work with OSHA and all investigators to determine the cause and how to prevent tragedies like this from occurring again.”
Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com
For healthy aging, light exercise or sleep beats being sedentary
The Take: Is Silicon Valley going MAGA?
Video: Biden and Harris Greet Americans Released From Russia
Net neutrality is on ice
Trump replies to DA Bragg in case to get conviction tossed in light of Supreme Court immunity decision
Trap Review: M. Night Shyamalan’s Silly, Self-Aware Thriller Is A Messy Tale Of Two Movies – SlashFilm
House Freedom Caucus chair ousted by Trump-backed challenger in Republican primary showdown
Georgia activist steals the show after being introduced by Trump at Atlanta rally: 'Incredible'