New Kids on the Block blame lousy ticket sales on recession
Filed under: Recession
The New Kids on the Block were preparing for a set of Australia shows as part of their comeback tour, but apparently that won't be happening. In a staccato blog post on the Web site of the reunited 1980s boy band, Donnie Wahlberg announced the bad news: "However -- we are, in fact, in the middle of a worldwide recession and we just cannot make it work. . . We can only assure you that when the recession's stranglehold on the world's economies eases up a bit -- we will find a way to make this work."
Without saying it outright, the NKOTB seem to be acknowledging that weak ticket sales are hurting their tour efforts. But is that really the recession, or is it possible that the band's comeback just hasn't been very good?
Exclaim commented that "That truth, of course, probably translates to low ticket sales. We're not saying that the guys don't have the right stuff but would like to point out that last year's "comeback album" The Block does feature grown men singing about being 'your boyfriend.' And now concert dates are being canceled. Not that the two are related."
On the album sales front though, the comeback effort appears to have been well-received. The band's first studio album in 14 years debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 late last year and actually became the band's first number one album in Canada. Of course the album fell off both charts pretty quickly after the die-hard's pre-orders were filled.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-19-2009 @ 6:24PM
Miss Ava said...
New Kids on the Block have a stigma & radio stations often refuse to play their music. They think the fans are still living in 1988? What about the DJs still thinking NKOTB are just kidstuff? I think it would be pretty difficult to get through to the media when they prejudge you before you've even said a word. Look up articles from before they even released their album. Critics were putting it down before it was even released. Explain to me how & why the media pulls these types of stunts.
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6-19-2009 @ 6:45PM
Butterfly082305 said...
NKOTB should just face the fact that they always have and always will suck. Even if the economy were booming I would not buy a ticket to their show.
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8-07-2009 @ 6:22PM
Stacy said...
Your loss....attended 4 shows and 2 parties over the last year. I've also seen Aerosmith, Nickelback, Jason Mraz, The Eagles, Elton John and Cher and many, many more live.....none of them, and I do mean NONE OF THEM, hold a candle to the show put on by NKOTB. There isn't another artist/group/band on the planet that works as hard as these 5 guys to entertain and please their fans. They go above and beyond at every turn. They take the time to come outside the venue, on their time, and visit us, meet us, get to know us. Fan or not, I defy you to find any more dedicated to their fans than NKOTB.....you can not do it. Period.
6-19-2009 @ 7:40PM
Marie said...
oh please, Do not blame this on the economy
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6-20-2009 @ 2:29AM
BigBarr said...
Look .they just suck, I;d rather listen to my cat Meow's , it sounds like hes always singing anyway when he meows
BOTTOM LINE FOLKS,,,, nkotb Bite they need to own up to the real deal .. do you see other musicians cring and there ticket sales declining ,,,,not
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6-20-2009 @ 2:33AM
BRENDA LAMARQUE said...
Get real. You guys are in your 30s and you expect 13 year olds to want to listen to you. Get a life!!!
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6-20-2009 @ 3:53PM
heather said...
Let the 13 year olds have the Jonas Brothers. NKOTB is for the grown-ups.
6-20-2009 @ 10:48AM
bacondotty said...
ROTFL, you gotta be kidding me. New Kids on the Block? How about "Washed up old dudes on the block" LOL
RT
www.privacy-web.tk
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6-20-2009 @ 11:00AM
Glenn said...
They were lame before and now all the people who liked them are admitting it by not buying their tickets. What person in their 30's would tell their friends or coworkers that they are seeing New Kids On The Block? If one of my friends did, I'd kick them in the face and laugh.... !!!!
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6-20-2009 @ 2:20PM
Old Fart said...
NKOTB still got more money then any of you 9 to 5 ers.
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6-20-2009 @ 2:31PM
NKOTB - FOR - LIFE said...
i attended my 2nd nkotb show last night in mansfield ma. it was the best concert i have yet attended. i have been to a range of different concerts and im only 16. the new kids are just unbelievably grateful to the people that support them and they are just having a good time, like everyone else should be
don't knock it til you've tried it!
ps - i agree with OLD FART.
they're making ALOT more money than you people
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6-20-2009 @ 2:56PM
Heatehr said...
If the NKOTB comeback has not been successful explain to me why they have 1000's of fans screaming at their shows every night here in the US? They have been touring in the US and Europe since last fall. Come on people, get over the negativity and finally admit that NKOTB had, have and always will have The Right Stuff.
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6-20-2009 @ 3:01PM
Rhonda said...
Obviously there are no true fans are on here. I have been to 5 concerts already & 2 more meet & greets to go. I also was on the cruise! They are back & better than ever! Even with the recession, I have taken the time to do for me & there has been NOTHING better than NKOTB to enjoy my time!! Get it together people!!!
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6-21-2009 @ 12:53PM
davidkramer said...
WTF nkotb get a life, if I decided to be a band I would just write music. Not worry about someone listening, Oh yeah, that is what the new business of music is, making money, but maybe the business should be is the music not the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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6-21-2009 @ 3:32PM
flightgirl1950 said...
I am a 50-something mom who never was into the group 20 years ago. However, I had a chance to go see them last week at the Comcast Ctr. I was embarrassed to tell anyone I knew that I was going. The girls at work filled me in on who was who and what they sing, since I only knew a few songs. Well let me tell you, I LOVED it!!!! Nice young men. Classy in their suits. No swearing, you could understand their songs and very handsome. They ventured out into the audience, praised the Red Sox and Celtics!! They had confetti and beach balls ascend on the audience but one of the best parts was how family- oriented they were. They had their kids come out and they all danced and then did some kind of rehearsed "huddle". At the end of the concert their crew came out to break down the stage in bright red Red Sox shirts. To top it all off their music was awesome. Men and women were wearing NKOTB shirt and jackets!!! KInda sad though that the staff was walking around selling tickets for the Fray for $10!!!! They were also doing that at the Aerosmith concert, so yeah, the economy sucks. New Kids had a full house so take that to the bank!!!!!
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6-22-2009 @ 6:42PM
Jill said...
So after reading this I am now thankful for the recession for one reason. To save me from the return on the new kids.
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6-28-2009 @ 10:05AM
betty said...
oh people shut up . This is the best boy band ever there hot hot hot. All you people rueined everything now us fans who really loved them truelly have to suffer and be shattered for the rest of our life. That they will never come back. Oh Im so sad please come back to Australia NKOTB to us true fans we will be waiting.
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7-03-2009 @ 12:39AM
Lisa said...
It amazes me why individuals what to hate on anyone. When people are doing what they enjoy and others are enjoying what they are doing why would you waste your time putting it down. The bands new songs are really good and if people would get past the name and the stigma that the media has put on them they might actually find themselves enjoying what they hear. I am glad that they are back even if it is for a little while. It was nice to see a bad that was driven apart back together and enjoying ever minute of their time together. So stop hatting and you get a life because the NKOTB have one.
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8-07-2009 @ 6:28PM
Stacy said...
Can any of the bands you people are fans of sell out a show in NYC in 6 minutes? How about a show in Montreal selling out in 4 minutes? Oh, wait....a cruise....$1200 per person cruise....SELLING OUT in less than 6 hours....anyone? Yeah...didn't think so. NKOTB have it...they've always had it. It's ok that you don't get it....no one who's not a Blockhead ever has or ever will. I'm just sad for all of you who will never know what it's like to be loved BACK by the people you're fans of.
Loud and Proud Blockhead since 1988......and that will never change.
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