The self-titled “New Kids on the Block” debut album dropped in 1986 but 1990 was the height of the group’s popularity.
The quintet reimagines the Magic Summer Tour, which supported the 1990 album “Step By Step,” via the Magic Summer Tour 2024 with Paula Abdul & DJ Jazzy Jeff, which includes a June 15 stop at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park.
“We like to bring people back to their childhood. Our hard-core fans and our fans in general, that’s the era they grew up in when Paula Abdul was huge and Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince were huge,” said Jordan Knight, a frequent lead vocalist for New Kids on the Block.
“Jazzy Jeff is perfect to get the party started. Paula Abdul warms it up and lets everybody get in the mood and hear all her huge hits. Then we go out and do our thing. It just fits in that era of music when we first came out and we were huge. They’re both icons from that era and they’re both great people.”
Boston-area natives Jordan Knight; his brother Jonathan Knight; Joey McIntyre; Donnie Wahlberg, who lives in St. Charles; and Danny Wood perform New Kids on the Block’s greatest hits, fan favorites and material from “Still Kids,” which dropped on May 17, Jordan Knight’s birthday.
“The set is gonna be like our Magic Summer Tour from 1990. A lot of the songs we did on that tour will be played on this tour,” said Jordan Knight, who lives right outside Boston.
“I always like to do the new songs but I love ‘I’ll Be Loving You (Forever),” which was a huge ballad in 1989. I love Joey singing ‘Please Don’t Go Girl.’ ‘Hangin’ Tough’ is always fun, always gets the crowd pumped and going. ‘Magic’ will be fun. That’s on the album ‘Still Kids.’”
New Kids on the Block’s first full-length studio album since 2013’s “10” features 14 tracks including “Kids,” “A Love Like This,” “Get Down” featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff, and “Old School Love” featuring Taylor Dayne.
“It’s an album that will make you feel nostalgic but also has a very contemporary sound,” Jordan Knight said.
“It has that ’80s vibe but it’s not the old ’80s; it’s the new ’80s. It has that classic sound but with new sounds in it, with new melodies.”
Magic Summer Tour 2024 marks New Kids on the Block’s first mostly outdoor venue tour in 15 years.
“We wanted to be outside when the sun was just setting and go into the night partying, singing fun songs and having fun with the crowd,” Jordan Knight said.
“The production is very immersive and big. There’s huge LED screens. You’ll feel up close and personal with us even if you’re in the back. We have the lights, pyro, confetti. We like to take people on a journey when they come to our shows and make sure they get away from everyday life.
“We still feel like we make magic together when we get in the same room and we get on the same stage because it’s real. It’s not fabricated; it’s authentic.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
New Kids on the Block
When: 7 p.m. June 15
Where: Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park
Tickets: $34 to $198-plus
Information: 708-614-1616; livenation.com
