NKOTB and Co. Bring Total Package

New Kids on the Block (NKOTB), Paula Abdul, and Boyz II Men performed a throwback show at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 25. The three acts are taking the U.S. by storm this summer with the Total Package Tour; a full tour following their show at the Mixtape Festival in summer 2016. The tour kicked off May 12 in Columbus, Oh.

Whether a fan that grew up with these three acts, or hearing about them for the first time, there is something on this tour for everyone. All acts focused on performing their well-known singles, but also performed hits that only the true fans would recognize. With that, New Kids on the Block did a few covers, ranging from “All I Do is Win” by DJ Khaled, to “Shout (You Make Me Wanna)” by Otis Day and the Knights. Boyz II Men performed their own covers of Bruno Mars’s “Locked Out of Heaven” and Lenny Kravitz’s “American Woman.”

The show was far from the basic concert; each act brought their own form of theatrics. At age 55, Paula Abdul showed she still has the moves that started her career, while Boyz II Men and NKOTB showed each group’s enduring bond with their synchronized boy-band choreography.

Each act gave their all, but NKOTB as the last act really sold the show. The group performed for nearly two hours, making sure the show was as interactive as possible; walking through and being a part of the crowd, giving high fives and letting the occasional fan take a selfie. Member Donnie Wahlberg crowd-surfed through the audience with the help of security guards, and the group had their crew set up a stage on the opposite side of the venue so that more fans had that up-close experience.

Each act showed they are very grateful for the fans they still have, as well as the new fans they have today. Boyz II Men always shows their appreciation by handing out roses to fans as they perform their song “I’ll Make Love to You.” Abdul’s shtick was giving words of wisdom between her songs; giving everyone in the audience a confidence boost by saying they are beautiful the way they are, as well as encouraging them to never give up on dreams. New Kids on the Block thanked the audience countless times, brought an audience member up on stage to sing to for her birthday, and brought another fan’s daughter on stage to serenade her with their song “Cover Girl.” Wahlberg also kissed a fan on the forehead, making sure she was okay when being rushed off to the first aid station near the stage.

Despite the fact that these three acts have had such tremendous success, they still show they are some of the most down-to-earth performers out there. Even if a fan is just discovering them, they have much to offer, for both older and younger fans.

The Total Package Tour concludes in Hollywood, Fl., on July 16. For further information on tour dates, go to www.nkotb.com/tour.