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"The Main Event" delivers a non-stop night
of energetic pop and hip-hop

New Kids On The Block/ TLC/ Nelly
Allstate Arena
Rosemont, IL
May 23, 2015
NKOTB
NKOTB

Story and photos by Andy Argyrakis

Although the New Kids On The Block hit the road nearly every year, the fact that the fellas shuffle up their show so radically, coupled with the unique combinations of supporting artists, is enough to entice even the most casual onlooker into repeat attendance. In fact, the boy turned man band is arguably just as big at the box office as ever, evidenced by yet another two night stand at the Allstate Arena, this time with TLC and Nelly in tow.

During Saturday night's installment of the "The Main Event," Jonathan Knight, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood were greeted by deafening screams surrounding every angle of their full floor-length stage when opening with the newer tunes "Block Party" and "Crash." From there, the guys unfurled a hearty mix of fresh and past favorites, from the bubblegum burst of "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" through a massive ballad medley that concluded with The Jackson 5's "Never Can Say Goodbye" and the group's own "Please Don't Go Girl."

The slickly choreographed gang (some of whom were more on key than others) further demonstrated their ability to stay in the current pop game with "Remix (I Like The)" and the comeback tip-off "Summertime," followed by a few of the guys taking the solo spotlight. Wahlberg led the crowd in a sing/rap-a-long of "Good Vibrations" (which he co-wrote for brother Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch), Jordan Knight flexed his falsetto (and runway ready abs) during a treatment of "Baby, I Believe In You" with his hit "Give It To You," while a hyper-sexualized McIntyre boldly blended the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Twisted."

Collaborative cuts such as the dance floor staple "Step By Step" and soulful ballad "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" came across catchier than anything One Direction or their dozens of sound-a-likes may have attempted, making a fairly convincing case that no one on today's charts is replicating the formula perfected by these veterans (or even previous tour mates the Backstreet Boys). A grand finale collision of "Hangin' Tough" with Queen's "We Will Rock You" further found the fivesome celebrating their survival across nearly three decade's worth of shifting musical tides, accompanied by appreciation for an audience that only seems to grow more loyal with age.

Speaking of enduring amidst changing trends (and even tragedy), the surviving members of TLC finally returned to a massive stage after testing the waters with a few warm up dates last year. Supporting the retrospective "20" (but also with a new album in the works), "T-Boz" and "Chilli" blazed through an hour stacked with "What About Your Friends," "Unpretty," "No Scrubs" and "Waterfalls," which weren't just amongst the most influential in hip-hop history, but also propelled the trio (that included the late, great and pre-taped rapper "Left Eye") to becoming the best-selling girl group of all time.

Fellow hip-hop mainstay Nelly and a sizeable entourage also made sure the crowd was all revved up with his cyclone of radio dominators, including "Where The Party At," "Just A Dream," "Ride Wit Me" and "Hot In Herre." Toss his charismatic presence on top of the additional electricity generated by NKOTB and TLC, and "The Main Event" didn't just own up to its title, but once again raised the bar another notch for the headliners to try and beat the next time around.

"The Main Event" starring New Kids On The Block with TLC and Nelly returns to the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL on Sunday, May 24. For additional details, visit www.livenation.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

Related articles:

New Kids on the Block - Concert review - Rosemont, IL - May 2011
New Kids on the Block - Concert review - Hammond, IN - June 2010
TLC - Concert review - Hammond, IN - March 2014
Nelly - Concert review - Rosemont, IL - October 2002

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