Reviews for the supertour of New Kids on the Block and The Backstreet Boys seem to fit a formula. The reviewer talks about their history, maybe admits to being a fan a long time ago, wonders why they are at the show, focuses on Donnie Wahlberg ripping off his shirt, and begrudgingly admits it was a good show. Others seem to go into the concert determined to hate it regardless, and their reviews reflect that.

You won't get that here. In 1990 my brother and I begged our dad to take us to see the New Kids. In 1998, myself and four friends screamed as loud as anyone else at the sold out Backstreets Back tour, and I've seen three BSB shows since. To see these two groups together had me excited. Granted, their first TV appearances on American Music Awards and Dick Clark's New Years Eve wasn't particularly great, but with a few more months to polish up, it was clear that both bands had something to prove.

Matthew Morrison, aka Mr. Schuester of Glee who appeared on GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine's May cover, opened the show. Mixing songs from Glee like the mashup of Don't Stand So Close To Me/Young Girl and the painfully awkward cover of Kanye West's Golddigger with songs like Summer Rain off his self titled debut album released in May. As his set progressed his sweat soaked through his white dress shirt much to the audiences delight.  Then, Canadian band Nevermore, managed by Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough, started off the night with a brief set.

The concert kicked off with a mash-up of New Kids Single and Backstreet's The One over a backing of Coldplay's Viva La Vida.   But most of the concert saw the bands trading off - New Kids first solo song was Summertime, Backstreet followed with The Call, New Kids Dirty Dancing, and then Backstreet's Get Down and so on. The two groups briefly reunited on stage, reworking Larger Than Life's lyrics to "All you people can't you see can't you see, NKOTBSB." The audience of 13,000+ of course sang along at the top of their lungs.

Anyone who has seen either band in concert before knows the effort they put into the show. Amidst pyro, dry ice, stage pieces that rose into the air on hydraulics, streamers and confetti (and a stage shaped like a giant penis), were solid harmonies and dance moves. The audience ate it up, especially when each band took time to head out into the audience. Four women also got on stage to be serenaded by The Backstreet Boys. After the show I saw Howie's choice on her way out, holding the rose he gave her and beaming.

After combining for the NKOTBSB single Don't Turn Out the Lights, Backstreet began wrapping things up with Everybody (Backstreets Back) over AC/DC's Back in Black, and New Kids returned with Hangin Tough before a mash up of the two songs closed the show.

The concert was, in a word, spectacular. Regardless of what critics think, the fact is that both bands have been very successful and know how to put on a show. The fans went home happy, and in the end that is all that matters.

Setlist:
Viva La Vida
Single/The One"
Summertime"
The Call
Dirty Dancing
Get Down
You Got It (The Right Stuff)
Larger Than Life
Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)
Valentine Girl
If You Go Away
Please Don't Go Girl
Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely
10,000 Promises
I'll Never Break Your Heart
Drowning
Incomplete
Step by Step
Cover Girl
My Favorite Girl
Games
Click Click Click
Tonight (N)/ Shape of My Heart
As Long as You Love Me
All I Have to Give
Raspberry Beret/If You Stay
Quit Playing Games with My Heart
I'll Be Loving You
I Want It That Way
Don't Turn Out the Lights (together)

Encore:
Everybody
Hangin' Tough
We Will Rock You
Everybody/Hangin' Tough (together)