The joint forces of New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) and Backstreet Boys (BSB), hit-makers from the final decades of last century, transported fans back in time to their heyday with an entertaining and highly energetic show.

The nine guys may be older now, but judging from the deafening screams inside the packed Mata Elang International Stadium (MEIS) in Ancol, North Jakarta, they have yet to lose their ability to charm their fans in Indonesia.

The night was surely a big bash and a nostalgia fiesta as the show included two generations. For some, it was like going back to 1989 again, while for others, it was a trip to 1999.

The concert-goers, who were mostly 20- and 30-something females, had gotten older also since the bands topped music charts, but called out their names and sang along with the groups’ hit songs for the entire show.

“Oh my God, we’re back again. Tell your moms and freaky friends,” BSB’s Brian Littrell said, quoting lyrics from BSB’s “Backstreet’s Back”, during a press conference, one day before the show.

“It’s great to be here. It’s a wonderful experience to see the world and see different cultures,” he added, recalling BSB’s first trip to Jakarta in 2008.

The thing that distinguished this concert was the absence of Kevin Richardson, who left the other four members — A.J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Littrell and Nick Carter —in 2006 to pursue a solo career.

For the five members of NKOTB, this was also their second time performing in town, after they plaid a show here 20 years ago at the height of their careers. NKOTB is still going strong with its five members — Danny Wood, Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntrye, Jordan Knight and Jonathan Knight. They played hit songs, including “Step by Step”.

NKOTBSB, brought to Jakarta by promoter Berlian Entertainment, rekindled boy band memories by kicking off the concert with a mash-up of “Viva La Vida”, before taking turns delivering dozens of their hit songs.

The groups traded off thrilling fans, each appearing and disappearing from the stage before reuniting to sing their hits — NKOTB’s “Summertime”, followed by BSB’s “Calling” and NKOTB’s “The Right Stuff” and “If You Go Away”, and rounded out with BSB going for “Get Down” and “Larger Than Life”.

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