Many might assume New Kids On The Block wouldn’t start a show they were headlining, but that was just one of a multitude of surprises when the now legendary boy band brought “The MixTape” Tour to fill up much of the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee in advance of two more area appearances at the Allstate Arena on Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18.

Besides the entirely original group comprised of Jordan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and Jonathan Knight, the throwback included hip-hop pioneers Salt-N-Pepa, R&B trendsetters En Vogue and British soul belter Rick Astley.

In other words, it was a match made in late 1980s/early ‘90s heaven, and just like the theme of the tag team, all the acts regularly rotated and collaborated throughout two-and-a-half constant hours that delivered on its promise and then some.

For the Blockheads who got the note passed in class that their teenage dreams were indeed beginning the marathon, that meant an early set of bangers, from the fittingly-named “The Block” to “Summertime,” “Cover Girl” and “You Got It (The Right Stuff).”

The guys were mostly on point with their vocals and especially when it came to choreography, but were backed by pre-recorded instruments, rather than a live band, not that anyone seemed to notice or care.

At least they didn’t spare any expense with the flashy, massive, state-of-the-art production, which also simmered on a smaller secondary stage and a few breakout platforms to make the arena feel a little more intimate.

Their follow-up friends, En Vogue, had no trouble reaching the rafters with the agelessly empowering “My Lovin’ (Never Gonna Get It)” and “Free Your Mind” to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the boundary-shattering album “Funky Divas,” a birthday shared with Astley’s “Whenever You Need Somebody,” which was featured a little later.

A mega NKOTB medley and a few deeper dance tracks paved the way for a ton of Salt-N-Pepa rhyme slayers, such as “None Of Your Business,” “Expression,” “Let’s Talk About Sex” and “Shake Your Thang,” all of which blazed the trail right on up to current rap conquerors Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.

That tradition continued with “Whatta Man” alongside En Vogue, who also dominated “Don’t Let Go (Love),” the Kids made the ladies swoon come “Please Don’t Go Girl” and several other ballads, Astley basked in his “Never Gonna Give You Up” resurgence, then nailed the power ballad “Cry For Help” and Salt-N-Pepa returned for “Shoop.”

As if that wasn’t enough, they saved the most colossal cuts until the end, including En Vogue’s “Hold On,” the New Kids’ “Step By Step,” Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It,” back to NKOTB’s “Hangin’ Tough,” mashed-up with Queen’s “We Will Rock You.”

The evening didn’t exclusively center on nostalgia thanks to the vibrant “Bring Back The Time,” which found the entire cast connecting for what appeared to be the harmony-rich finale, until of course they were Rickrolled for a reprise of “Never Gonna Give You Up” that made everyone lose their minds and scream along all over again through the giant bow.

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For additional information on New Kids On The Block, visit NKOTB.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Fiserv Forum include Shawn Mendes (Jul. 12); Roger Waters (Jul. 28); Brandi Carlile (Aug. 5); Kendrick Lamar (Aug. 18); Post Malone (Sept. 15); Panic! At The Disco (Sept. 16); Chris Stapleton (Oct. 8); Carrie Underwood (Oct. 23) and Smashing Pumpkins (Oct. 30). For additional details, visit FiservForum.com.