by Virginia Hernandez

The Magic Summer tour made its stop in Austin on July 12 at Germania Amphitheater, bringing the block party of the summer to an ecstatic crowd. Legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff warmed up the crowd with remixes of classic hits, including a spin of the seminal theme song from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the popular 90s sitcom starring Will Smith that made Jazzy Jeff a household name. The neon-clad crowd was clearly ready for a party and were on their feet no more than two songs into the DJ set, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.

Iconic pop and dance legend Paula Adbul hit the stage next, with an 8-song setlist, launching with mega-hit “Straight Up”, and including a medley before ending with “Forever Your Girl”. Abdul’s set was an ambitious combination of songs, intricate choreography that featured a troupe of talented young stars, and pretaped video segments that gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the show was created. Abdul was in top form, jokingly taking a hit of oxygen after her first number, and interacting with the enthusiastic crowd, bringing plenty of down-to-earth charm to her set.

The crowd was filled with folks decked out in New Kids on the Block gear and was practically buzzing by the time the landmark boy band kicked off their performance. NKOTB members Jordan Knight, Donny Wahlberg, Joe McIntyre, Jonathan Knight, and Danny Wood soon ascended from beneath the stage to wild applause and cheers, beginning their set with songs from their latest album Still Kids, seamlessly incorporating hits from their early years alongside newer tunes.

After 30 years in the business, NKOTB proved they’re nowhere near finished. The stage production itself was massively impressive, utilizing dynamic graphics and lighting effects for every song, with themes ranging from a gorgeous minimalist blue wash for Joe McIntyre’s solo piano performance to rowdy 90s colors and shapes for their boy band hits.

The quintet’s performances were equally dynamic, with fun choreography, lovely group harmonies, and each member thrilling the crowd throughout the show with stunning solo performances. Jordan Knight is well-known for his soaring falsetto and the crowd was treated to otherworldly vocals during his attention-grabbing numbers that brought down the house. Equally impressive was youngest member Joe who took lead vocals on numerous tunes and demonstrated his emotional range and powerhouse high notes during several solo songs. Donny Wahlberg served as the de facto MC, hyping the crowd and punctuating the show with his deft rap abilities.

Check out all our photos from the show at Austin 101.

The real magic at Germania Amphitheater was the interaction between NKOTB and the crowd. The group undoubtedly understands the dedication of their hardcore fans who make it possible for them to continue touring at this level. Much of the show felt like a love letter to the audience, with NKOTB demonstrating their gratitude with knockout performances and crowd interaction. For the first several songs, there were two crowds of fans on stage who were indulged with fly-bys and serenades from the group, and a notable moment was the Kids bringing a fan up to sing the classic “Summertime” with DJ Jazzy Jeff on stage. Another high point was when the five members were escorted out into the crowd to perform from neon stands in the aisles for several songs, including “Block Party”. Complete with confetti cannons and selfies with fans, the group delighted the crowd who took their time delivering the New Kids back to the stage. 

Never succumbing to schtick or relying purely on nostalgia, New Kids on the Block delivered a dazzling and spectacular 2+ hour performance that felt as relevant as any electronic, dance, and pop music today. It was unquestionably the Magic Summer night fans hoped for – an opportunity to relive youthful days of dreamy crushes, to sing your heart out to songs you know and love, and to feel truly appreciated by the artists you adore.

Paula Abdul Setlist

• Straight Up
• Vibeology
• Cold Hearted
• Opposites Attract
• (It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me
• Rush Rush
• 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
• Forever Your Girl

NKOTB Setlist

• Just Like 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
• Stay the Same (Joey McIntyre song)
• Baby, I Believe in You
• Never Gonna Fall in Love Again / Paradise City
• Happy Birthday
• Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) / Valentine Girl
• Dance With You / A Love Like This / In the Night / Long Time Coming
• Summertime (DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince cover) (with DJ Jazzy Jeff)
• Kids
• I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)
• Step by Step
• Hangin’ Tough
• Better Days