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.

Joey McIntyre referenced Nantasket Beach, and changed some other lyrics.

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. 

Donnie Wahlberg’s Boston accent came out.

“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 Dorchester flag flew in the crowd.

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.

NKOTB covered “Sweet Caroline,” of course.

“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. 

They threw on some Celtics gear, too.

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

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: August 10, 2024 at 8:25 p.m.