LAS VEGAS — While the iconic boy band New Kids on the Block may appear to be a perfect match for the vibrant entertainment scene in Las Vegas, they had previously never established a residency in this electrifying city — until Friday night, June 20. This momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in their illustrious career.
The highly anticipated The Right Stuff residency officially commenced its first night at Dolby Live at Park MGM, a venue that has hosted numerous superstars, including Usher, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Mariah Carey. Reflecting back to their early days, the Boston-based group had a different perception of Las Vegas than what it has transformed into today — an entertainment mecca brimming with opportunities for artists.
“When you’re young, you think you’re really cool,” shared Jordan Knight in an interview with Billboard just before the residency began. “If someone told me, ‘You guys will be performing in Vegas in your 50s,’ I would have thought, ‘Oh no, that’s so corny. That’s for acts just retiring.’ However, doing this now feels authentic. We’re being genuine to ourselves. While we incorporate some flashy elements, we do so tastefully, without compromising our identity.”
The show undoubtedly featured spectacular elements — such as the breathtaking moment when all five members were elevated in individual telephone booths, allowing them to connect with every fan in the 5,000-seat venue. Yet, at its heart, this was the quintessential New Kids on the Block concert that their passionate Blockhead fans have always anticipated. The now-adult pop stars, aged between 52 and 56, poured their entire energy, enthusiasm, and love into the performance, creating a memorable, entertaining show in their newest residence in Vegas, with performances scheduled through February. The setlist included their greatest hits, like “Step by Step,” “Hangin’ Tough,” and the title track “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” as well as fan-favorite tracks from their extensive discography, dating back to their self-titled debut album released in 1986.
Jonathan Knight expressed that he is experiencing more enjoyment at this stage of their career compared to the chaotic early years. “When we began, we were just kids,” he remarked to Billboard before the performance. “Looking back, no one prepares you for this journey. I never would have imagined being in Las Vegas at 56 when I was 20. Just being present and in the moment is incredible; it was all such a blur back then.”
To ensure that Friday night’s event was unforgettable, Billboard compiled a list of the top five highlights from the New Kids on the Block exhilarating opening night performance.
-
Maximizing Every Square Foot of the Stage for a Dynamic Experience
The concert featured a massive main stage, complete with a life-size replica of a Boston train atop a grand staircase, and a pathway through the enthusiastic crowd that led to a catwalk adorned with barstools for concertgoers. The New Kids ensured they fully utilized every inch of the stage. They even incorporated a Jamiroquai-style moving conveyor belt that added to the eye-catching choreography, as well as a functioning convertible that drove them on stage for “Kids.” Throughout the performance, each member remained in constant motion, ensuring they connected with every audience member, even venturing into the crowd during the performance of Hangin’ Tough‘s “Tonight,” where Joey McIntyre playfully sat in one fan’s lap. These thoughtful touches made it clear that this wasn’t just another concert — it was an extraordinary event.
-
Soaring High Above the Crowd for Unforgettable Aerial Moments
Image Credit: Billboard
The excitement extended beyond both the stage and the audience. The first aerial highlight of the night featured Jordan Knight performing his Billboard Hot 100 top 10 solo hit “Give It to You,” where he was secured in a Ferris wheel gondola that soared high above the stage, reminiscent of the song’s carnival-themed music video. The entire group joined in on the aerial spectacle during “The Whisper,” from their 2013 album 10, as each member stepped into individual telephone-booth-like pods that lifted them above the ecstatic crowd. Initially, it seemed they would only ascend above the 100 and 200 sections, but they continued to rise until they were eye-level with the thrilled fans in the balcony.
The thrilling nature of the flying pods was not lost on the group, as they embraced each other upon returning to the stage, expressing their relief with a cheerful, “We made it!”
-
Creating Memorable Moments with a Fun Vegas Wedding for Fans
The atmosphere became even more exhilarating when the instrumental of Bruno Mars’ “Marry You” started playing, accompanied by the words “NKOTB Chapel” lighting up the big screen. Donnie Wahlberg engaged the audience by asking who among them fantasized about marrying a member of New Kids on the Block. Following a chorus of enthusiastic screams, the screen showcased social media posts from countless fans who believed they would someday become Mrs. McIntyre, Knight, Wood, or Wahlberg. (Wahlberg humorously noted that his wife, Jenny McCarthy, wasn’t among them: “She thought she would marry one of the Mötley Crüe,” he quipped.) To create an unforgettable experience, the boy band decided to marry all their fans simultaneously that night.
“Do you, New Kids, take these Blockheads to be your forever fans, as long as we both shall live?” Wahlberg asked his bandmates, to which they all joyfully replied, “I do.”
“Do you, Blockheads, take these New Kids to be your forever boy band, forsaking all other boy bands — that means *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, O-Town, One Direction, and all the rest — as long as we both shall live?” Wahlberg cheekily posed to the enthusiastic crowd, who eagerly committed to the New Kids on the Block for good.
In addition to the whimsical wedding, there were several other Las Vegas-inspired elements, including a second act reminiscent of the Rat Pack with coordinated suits and a classic New Kids on the Block casino sign, as well as a clever mash-up of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” with Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas” during their well-known quick-change backstage segment.
-
Donnie Wahlberg’s Emotional Gratitude Towards Fans
Throughout the concert, the fans were at the forefront of the experience multiple times. McIntyre had previously emphasized, “We’re going to take care of our high rollers, you know what I’m saying? We gotta take care of our die-hards first.” Nowhere was this more evident than when Wahlberg became emotional while reflecting on the four decades of unwavering support from their devoted fanbase. “It’s been forty years [as a band], 37 since we all found each other on various radio stations and MTV,” he expressed, wiping away tears. “You never cease to amaze us. Wow. Thank you. We love you, we appreciate you, we respect you, and we thank you.”
The audience reciprocated this love and appreciation, especially when they erupted into cheers and applause for two consecutive minutes following the performance of “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” which was unexpectedly the eighth song performed in an impressive 27-song setlist.
-
Looking Ahead: Can They Hang Tough for Another 40 Years?
Throughout the evening, much was made of the boy band’s impressive longevity, and it appears they have no intentions of slowing down anytime soon.
“We’ve been hanging tough for 40 years,” Wahlberg stated just before the final performance of their iconic hit, “Hangin’ Tough,” which topped the Hot 100 and is the title track from their groundbreaking 1988 album. “Can we hang tough for 40 more?”
Given the enthusiasm of the opening night crowd, it seems likely they will continue to thrive in this vibrant industry.
-
Full Setlist from ‘The Right Stuff’ Opening Night
Twisted
Block Party
Single
My Favorite Girl
Summertime
Cover Girl
Magic
You Got It (The Right Stuff)
Remix (I Like The)
Click Click Click
Full Service
The Boys in the Band (Boy Band Anthem)
Never Let You Go
Dirty Dancing
Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind)
Valentine Girl
If You Go Away
Please Don’t Go Girl
Games
Pop
Give It to You (Jordan Knight solo)
Tonight
The Whisper
I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)
Step by Step
Kids
Hangin’ Tough -
Upcoming Dates for ‘The Right Stuff’ Residency
2025 Performances
June 20, 21, 25, 27, 28
July 2, 3, 5
November 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 152026 Performances
February 14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 25, 27, & 28
