Not-So-New Kids on the Block

BY VICTORIA KRUKENKAMP
SC Staff Writer

The past few years the storm has been brewing, a storm that makes 20 to 30 year-old women squeal like their former 14-year-old selves over a group of slightly older boys singing and dancing pop songs.  Yes ladies, the 90s boy bands are back!

Though to some it may seem like the heartthrobs of youth never left, this year marks a triumphant return for the man-candies of the past.

New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) began with a reunion tour in 2008 that sold out huge venues and brought together friends from long past.

The tour lasted through 2010, and during the final shows NKOTB hosted many guests, including Backstreet Boys, Bell Biv Divoe, and Boyz II Men.

Which sparked a new tour in 2011, The NKOTBSB tour.  NKOTB teamed up with Backstreet Boys (minus Kevin Richardson) for an album and tour that again sold out huge venues and brought together even more friends from the past.

In 2012 the NKOTBSB tour continued overseas, and both bands began working on albums to be released in 2013.  The only appearance of NKOTBSB in 2012 in the US was at the Hershey Mix-Tape festival this past August.

During the show NKOTB confirmed the release of their new album, and Backstreet Boys announced the return of fifth member Kevin Richardson as well as a new album and tour to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

Mix-Tape Fest also boasted the reunion of 98 Degrees, who had not been on stage since the last leg of their tour was cancelled right after 9/11.  98 Degrees also announced their plans to record an album and tour in 2013.

Now that 2013 is here, NKOTB has an even bigger surprise for fans.

The Package Tour (full of obvious puns) has become the hottest ticket in the pop world for the summer of 2013.  Kicking off in Connecticut on May 29th, 2013, The Package Tour boasts the line up of NKOTB, 98 Degrees, and Boyz II Men.  Swoon!

NKOTB’s latest album, 10, was released April 2, 2013.  98 Degrees will release their new album, 2.0, on May 7, 2013.  Boyz II Men have not announced a new album for the tour, but did release the album Twenty in 2011.

Backstreet Boys, who have yet to announce a release date for their new album, are hyping a reunion show in Los Angeles on April 20th, 2013, and have already set tour dates overseas through May and June of this year.

The biggest event a Backstreet Boys fan can look forward to this year?  The Backstreet Boys cruise in October.  Three days at sea full of parties, concerts, and day on the beach of a private island in the Bahamas.

Sorry to disappoint ladies, there is no talk of an NSync reunion, though Backstreet Boy AJ McLean recently tweeted a picture of himself holding a sign encouraging a NKOTB, NSync, and Backstreet Boys tour.  Yet for NSync fans, Justin Timberlake has returned to music this year with his album, the 20/20 Experience, and he will be touring this summer with Jay-Z.

What a hot summer it promises to be with all the boy bands of the past releasing new music and touring the country!

Email Victoria at:
vkrukenkam@live.esu.edu