They still have “the right stuff.”
New Kids on the Block, or NKOTB, is turning back the clock in true Las Vegas fashion, bringing high-energy nostalgia and hit-after-hit throwbacks to a crowd full of lifelong Blockheads during their residency.
From scream-worthy singalongs to full-circle fan moments decades in the making, the group proved why their fanbase is still “hangin’ tough.”
As someone who was a fan of them from the moment they hit the airwaves back in the 80s, seeing them in concert as an adult healed my inner child. And there’s something special about seeing them in Las Vegas – where childhood memories collide with neon lights and a city built for show-stopping moments.
NKOTB’s Las Vegas Residency Has Been A Hit!
If you saw their Vegas show last year, this year’s show is “remixed.”
“New Kids on the Block – The Right Stuff Remixed” residency is a similar show from last year’s but with more – more songs, more energy, and more Vegas flair. Oh, and let’s not forget about the nostalgia. You will be taking a big step back in time to relive the days when you would listen to the group as a teen and remember how it made you feel. There’s no way around this; just embrace the moment.
Since its debut last year, “The Right Stuff” has transformed into a more fan-driven experience. What started as a limited 16-show Las Vegas residency has expanded into a multi-phase run, with additional dates carrying the show well into late 2026.
This year’s show has a refreshed setlist and a stronger focus on deep cuts and fan-faves in addition to the core hits. So if you attended last year and are on the fence about going again this year, you’re sure to get a different show but with the same nostalgic vibes.
Experiencing NKOTB In Concert As A Teen And Again As An Adult
They said, “please don’t go girl,” and I took that request seriously, because nearly 40 years later, I’m still here, loving the group and their music.
I’ve been a fan since the moment I first heard them as a teen. I remember being told at one point that this was just a fad that will disappear shortly, but four decades later and that “fad” lives on.
I first saw them in concert around the age of 14. It was magical, as one would expect. But seeing them as an adult so many years later is something completely different. The feelings, the nostalgia, and the lyrics you haven’t thought about in years suddenly come rushing back, and you find yourself singing along like no time has passed at all. Everything is still there, but this time, you experience it through a completely different lens.
I saw the group last year when they began their Vegas residency. I attended their second night in the residency and was blown away. I literally walked out of the arena feeling like a piece of my inner child was healed. So of course, I decided to go back to experience it again. And once again, another piece is healed.
During the show, Donnie Wahlberg gave a moving speech to the crowd of longtime Blockheads.
“You know, every night they tell us to hurry up. They’re like, ‘you know, we can trim a minute here, trim a few seconds there. And why do you have to let them scream for so long?’ Only somebody who’s never been on the receiving end of your love could ever say such a thing to us,” he said enthusiastically to a screaming crowd. “We will never get tired of your love. And we will never get tired of how loud you scream for us. And no one will ever rush us from saying we love you too.”
What To Expect From ‘The Right Stuff Remixed’
If you saw “The Right Stuff” last year, this new “remixed” version of the show is somewhat the same — keeping all the amazing elements fans love but adding more songs and more nostalgia. It’s important to mention that there is no bad seat in the house. No matter where you’re sitting, you have an amazing view of everything!
If you ever went to one of NKOTB’s shows early in their career, we’re talking about the late 80s or early 90s, then be ready to be in your feels. The show includes clips from back in the day that is sure to bring a wave of nostalgia over you whether you expected it or not. When Joey begins singing “Please Don’t Go Girl,” it’s tough not to be transported back to that feeling of being 15 and hearing the song on the radio. This show is literally one big nostalgic reunion from start to finish.
Remember when you went to your first NKOTB show as a teen and the audience was filled with your teenage peers? Well, this show is the same but now instead of teens, it’s the 40 and up crowd. Whatever NKOTB is doing is working, because they’ve had the same fanbase throughout their entire journey and that’s got to be something to be proud of. Many of us can’t remember why we walked into the kitchen, but the minute one of their songs begins, we can recite every single word without thought.
Bottom line – it’s a party for your inner child. Two hours to let go of the adult world and reminisce about your younger days with the perfect soundtrack.
Donnie Wahlberg Recently Reminisced About The Journey
Just a month ago while on the red carpet at the American Music Awards in Las Vegas, Wahlberg reminisced about the group’s journey from the early days to now.
“These red carpets are an incredible reminder, because there was a time when we were the kids, and all these older artists were on the red carpet, and we’d be like, ‘Oh, there’s so-and-so and there’s so-and-so.’ And they were like, ‘Who are these kids?’ And now we’re walking around like, ‘Who’s that kid? Who’s this kid?’ And it’s literally the roles are reversed, but we’re very fortunate to still be here,” he told PEOPLE.
“We’re very grateful to still be here and we’re rooting for all these young kids that they might know it because it’s better this time. It’s better the later it gets, the better it gets. I don’t walk down this red carpet wishing I was 20 again. I’m honored to be here at 56. And I hope these young artists can feel that too.”
Speaking about the second year of the residency, Wahlberg explained that it’s a “big deal” because their fans “travel for us.”
“They’re going to get a lot more this time around and they deserve it. And we want to keep it fresh for us too and have a good time,” he said. “We take our fans very seriously. We don’t take ourselves that serious, but we take our fans seriously. We want them to have the best time and that’s really what it’s about for us.”
There’s Still Time To Catch ‘The Right Stuff Remixed’
If you want to catch Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, and Danny Wood perform their hits in Las Vegas, you still have time!
The residency continues with a few more dates in July and some in October. Catch the show July 3 and 4 and October 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17. Shows begin at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. There’s a DJ entertaining and hyping up the crowd before the show begins so be ready to dance and sing along to some of the hottest tracks of the 80s and 90s.
For more information and to get your tickets to an upcoming NKOTB show at Dolby Live at Park MGM, visit Dolby Live’s website or Ticketmaster’s website.