Photos by Andy Argyrakis

It’s been a “Magic Summer” for pop and R&B lovers thanks to New Kids On The Block, but before its latest touring juggernaut came to a close, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood made an encore sweep through the area to fill up much of Milwaukee’s American Family Insurance Amphitheater.

This time through, Paula Abdul was officially on board as well after last-minute “production issues” forced her to miss Tinley Park, who alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, made the truly non-stop party all the more plentiful.

Of course, the New Kids were the talk of the town, not only because of their stable of previous smashes, but because the current collection, “Still Kids,” ranks right up there with anything that was on the radio in the 1980s and ‘90s.

But as the new “Magic” and “Summer Love” track indicated as the fab five descended a sparkling staircase, it’s by no means merely a nostalgic rethread, instead tapping into today’s production trends, while updating the signature, soulful harmonies that helped the group pave the way for practically every boy band that followed.

“Hangin Tough” heavyweights such as “My Favorite Girl” and “Cover Girl” weren’t far around the corner, while post-reunion bangers such as “Dirty Dancing,” “Remix (I Like The)” and “Block Party” were just as catchy and consistent, plus “Tonight” provided the soundtrack for fans to get a closer look as the fellas ran through the crowd.

There were tons of medleys too, including one from their earliest self-titled origins, before Joey and Jordan respectively tore down the house with their ballads “Please Don’t Go Girl” and “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever),” through really, every “Step By Step” was nothing short of spectacular.

The same could be said about superstar and television personality Paula Abdul, who wowed with iconic choreography of her own, flanked by a fleet of dancers for “Straight Up,” “Vibeology,” “Cold Hearted,” “Opposites Attract” and “(It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me.”

Her sweet and sultry vocals became the focal point of “Rush Rush,” which would’ve made any of the fellow “American Idol” judges proud, and after 35 “Spellbound” minutes or so, “Forever Your Girl” summed up exactly how the Summerfest grounds felt to finally have her back.

DJ Jazzy Jeff was icing on the cake, recalling his days of collaborating with none other than Will Smith as The Fresh Prince through all the subsequent decades, slicing, dicing, mashing up and merging everything that would make anyone “Jump Around” and never stop “Believin’” in the power of a “Livin’ On A Prayer.”

For additional information on New Kids On The Block, Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff, visit NKOTB.com, PaulaAbdul.com and DJJazzyJeff.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater include Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper (Aug. 27); Pitbull (Aug. 31); Avril Lavigne (Sept. 9); Live and Stone Temple Pilots (Sept. 14); and Dierks Bentley (Sept. 21). For additional details, visit AmFamAmp.com.

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