New Kids on the Block "The Package" Tour - Funnest! Night! Ever!

Last Sunday night was supposed to be just a fun night, and it most definitely was, but it was also one of strange emotions -- all courtesy of the New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men and 98°.

I had been looking forward to July 21^st for what seemed like FOR-EVER! Four not-so-cheap but oh-so-worth it tickets were purchased months ago for myself, my mom, and two really good friends. The original “Package Tour” schedule did not include Kansas City and totally broke my heart. I was THIS close to purchasing tickets for the St. Louis show when I hear the big announcement on the radio. I literally screamed for several consecutive minutes while driving to work when the radio announced they were coming to KC, and tried unsuccessfully to contact both my mom and my friends to tell them the great news!

We spent more than we normally do for concert tickets, but my mom and I wanted to upgrade our typical New Kids experience. For me, this was my sixth New Kids on the Block concert – three of them were back in the day (Nebraska State Fair with Tiffany in Lincoln, in Omaha with Dino and the Cover Girls, and the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Missouri) and three tours since they reunited in 2008. For my mom, it was her fifth. (We’ve also seen Boyz II Men three times, once way back when, then last year at the Lied Center in Lincoln, and then Sunday night. It was a first for 90°, though.)

When we walked into the Sprint Center got to our seats, we paused for a moment, looked around, re-checked our tickets, and swore we had to be in the wrong seats. Lower section, sixth row, and with perfect view of the main stage which happened to be in the middle of the floor. Probably the best seats any of us have ever had for any concert. We were psyched!

Jeannie, me, my mom Linda, and Michelle

The show was scheduled to start at 7:30, and it was pretty much right on time. Boyz II Men opened the show (which seems weird, I would have put my 98° first personally), dressed in white from head to toe. Their set was short and almost seemed more like a preview to entice people to come to their Vegas shows, but they were awesome. Their voices were as flawless as they have always been, and their interaction with the crowd made the whole set a lot of fun. It was short, with only a handful of songs and most of them slow (of course), but the crowd went crazy – of course so did we – when they closed their set with “Motownphilly.” I would have been perfectly happy with more songs from Boys II Men, but their short set definitely made me happy that we went to the show in Lincoln last year.

Boyz II Men sounding and looking as smooth as ever!

With no intermission in between, Boyz II Men was off and 98° appeared. I have to admit, I’ve liked some 98° songs, but have never been crazy about them. But since we were all there, why not just sit back and enjoy it!?!? It may have lacked the style and finesse of Boyz II Men, but I gave them a bit of a pass because of all three groups, they were the ones who had truly gotten back together for this tour, and I’m sure they were all a little rusty. So we danced, clapped, and sang along with the songs we knew, and I was happy knowing my mom (who was obviously the only true 98° fan between the four of us) was enjoying herself.

98° -- Or as we liked to call it, the Nick Lachey Show

Once 98° was finished there was a short intermission, allowing for a much needed bathroom break. Then the excitement really began to build. I had read a lot of people on Twitter talking about how it was the best show, so I had high expectations!

I’m sure the “critics” have probably panned the New Kids and this concert just like they always have, but don’t say anything negative to the thousand of women screaming along with me Sunday night. I admit, for me, they can do no wrong.

When I think of the News Kids, I have such fond and happy memories. I was an obsessed, card carrying fan club member with posters literally plastered all over my walls. I was a monthly purchaser of Bop and Big Bopper magazines mostly to collect New Kids the articles and posters, and owned as much merchandise as I possibly could – dolls, trading cards, swimming towels, even a telephone, among many other things. I knew every word of every song, and pretty much every move from their concert.

I can actually tell you exactly where I was the first time I heard Joey McIntyre sing “Please Don’t Go Girl.” I frequently spent the night at my grandparents, and usually had the radio on when I was falling asleep. I remember laying there when the song started playing, and loving them ever since.

I’m about to admit something that sounds kind of sad and pathetic now, but growing up, I was always a daydreamer (and I guess I still am) and in my imagination, I often toured with them as their opening act and of course I was usually Joe’s girlfriend. To be completely honest, back then, it was my refuge. When I felt lonely, or sad, or insecure – which unfortunately was often – I put on the music and the videos, and dreamed about what I was going to do and be when I grew up. I was going to be a singer, there was no doubt about it, and I believe all of that pulled me through what I almost believe now was mild depression (if there is such a thing).

But back to Sunday night…when they hit the stage, I actually got tears in my eyes. Even though I had already seen them twice in the last five years, this time felt different. Maybe it’s because I just attended my 20 year high school reunion earlier this month and had already been in state of nostalgia, and maybe it’s because I suddenly started feeling my age. Reflecting back to my childhood, I had such big plans. And while a lot of what I had planned for my life didn't materialize, God obviously had something else planned for me and blessed with a wonderful, supportive husband, my wonderful kids, my friends, my amazing family, my health…I know I’m very lucky and blessed. However, sometimes I feel that little pain somewhere deep in my heart, where I feel like I would have done things differently had I known then what I know now. I often feel like there is more out there for me, for my family, and I now want to make it my goal to figure out what that is. I guess it’s kind of strange that a pop concert would have me thinking so deep, but these were honestly the kinds of things that we running through my mind throughout the show.

But back to the show, here are a few cell phone shots:

Slowing it down a little.

Yes, it's blurry, but they are Boston Strong!

 For those two hours, standing there screaming, fist pumping, clapping and dancing, I was just happy. Plain and simple, happy. I didn’t want it to end, and the actual thought of the end of the show is when those feelings would creep in.

Even after it was over, I still felt full of adrenaline and ready for the next New Kids tour. I told myself that next time, no matter what it cost, I was getting meet and greets and once and for all meeting Joey, Donnie, Jordan, Jonathan and Danny.

That night was definitely one of the best nights of my life and one of the best concerts I've ever been to, but man, even thinking about it now kind of makes me sad. So until the next tour...

The set list:

"We Own Tonight"

"Block Party"

"Summertime"

"You Got It (The Right Stuff)"

"The Whisper"

"Survive You"

"Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)"/"Valentine Girl"/"If You Go Away"/"Please Don't Go Girl"

"Remix (I Like The)"

"Single"

"Baby, I Believe In You"/"I’ll Be There”/"Tender Love"/"Click Click Click"

"Faith" (George Michael)/"Kiss" (Prince)/"Hot In Herre" (Nelly)

"Dirty Dancing"

"Step By Step"

"Cover Girl"

"Games"

"Tonight"

"I'll Be Loving You (Forever)"

"Hangin' Tough"