Issac, Taylor and Zac Hanson were in town recently, performing in support of their recent album, Anthem, which is receiving decent reviews and enthusiastic fanbase reception, judging from the sold-out house at Antone’s. The band has outlived their earlier Disney-esque cachet and are exhibiting real grown-up musical chops, playing material that reflects a solid ’70’s California soul vibe with a touch of fizzy, bubbly pop, just for fun. Or maybe that’s now the fizz of an adult beverage—Hanson recently launched Mmmhops Beer, donating the proceeds to help with the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts, one of the many charitable efforts the brothers have supported through the years. It doesn’t hurt either that the collective efforts of their devoted superfan community would put the Beiber-ites to shame. Bravo, y’all!
Paul McDonald opened the show with a set of acoustic songs, delivered with enthusiasm, terrific vocals, and a bright, shiny smile. McDonald is a singer-songwriter from Huntsville Ala., who placed eighth in the 10th season of American Idol in 2011.
This video, though hard to watch, is a good sample of their current sound and musical approach (and it shows just how bad the stage lighting was that night):
And here’s the song that started it all: “Mmmbop.”