Aug 254 min read

New Kids on the Block Brought Their Summer Magic Tour with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff to The Mann in Philadelphia

NKOTB (New Kids on the Block) brought their 2024 Magic Summer Tour to the Mann in Philadephia with Philly's own DJ Jazzy Jeff and Paula Abdul. This was the biggest party of the summer. The ampitheater was over flowing with neon colors, tutu's and crop tops. The crowd was mostly filled with women and their young daughters, so much so that all of the men's restrooms were turned into womens restrooms for part of the evening.

Philly's own DJ Jazzy Jeff kicked that party off. He spun a mix of hits to get the crowd dancing and cheering. He wore a Philadelphia Phillies jersey during his set and later coerced the boys from Beantown (NKOTB) to wear one as well towards the end of the evening.

Ms. Paula Abdul was NKOTB's direct support for the evening. It was a surreal moment for me to be photographing such an icon from my younger years. I grew up during her rise to musical fame and watched her for years as a judge on American Idol. My best friend and I probably listened to her song "Rush Rush" a thousand times. Paula's career as a choreographer has brought so many other artsits performaces to life including Michael and Janet Jackson.

Paula's choreography chops are still sharp as a tack. Her short but action packed set included an audition, a fashion show, and broadway ready dancing. She managed to perform all of her hits in just 30 minutes, including "Straight Up", "Cold Hearted Snake", "Opposites Attract", "Rush Rush" and a medley to close out the night starting with "The Promise of a New Day" and ending with "Forever Your Girl". At 62 years old Paula still has was it takes to entertain a massive crowd. Her performace was the most joyess trip down memory lane.

NKOTB was my boy band. I first saw them was in 1990 at the Philadelphia Spectrum. I guess I was always destined to be a concert photographer because I still have photos that I took of them at this show on a 35mm disposable camera. 34 years later and they are still churrning out the hits, the dance moves and the sex appeal. The Magic Summer tour is celebrating both nostalgia and the release of their newest album Still Kids that was just released in May.

During their nearly two hour set they performed both high energy hits and classic love songs. Their catalogue spans over 30 years and they managed to hit upon each era. They opened up the night a new one aptly named "Magic". They appeared one by one on the stage with their names lighting up behind them. The crowd cheered louded and louder with each band member. Let me tell you, this night was a party.

The amount of crowd interaction the band members with the audience was first class. They had a walkway around the pit that they each spent time on performing and giving high fives. About a quarter way through their set they each walked through the crowd to lit up individual stages near the lawn to perform a few songs and party with the fans. I appreciate bands that are fan friendly, they never forgot who got them to where they are.

I was absolutely impressed by their VIP experience as well. I rarely would write about a bands VIP but the fans were packed on each side of the stage, had band interaction and just all looked like they were having the time of their lives. I snapped a photo of a woman where Donnie had sat on her lap and I posted it on instagam. She ended up seeing it and it made me feel like I captured something so special for her since she wasn't there under the best of circumstances. Moments like this are really why I love what I do.

I will say this night was much more than a concert, it was an experience for the band and the fans. There was so much joy in the air that it was contagious. For a few hours everyone got to let loose and forget about everything else. That's what concerts are for. NKOTB delivered a first class performance and showed everyone how it's supposed tp be done. Young bands should really take some notes on this tour.