Let’s take a look at what happened in the year 2013 – while Hanson celebrated their 21st year as a band.
January
The year kicked off with Hanson finishing up the vocals for the first single from the new album! They also had Los Angeles area fans come down to be in the music video. Then they headed to Jamaica for the Back To The Island concert event which included 3 Hanson shows as well as various activities with the band. We found out that the first single would be called “Get The Girl Back” and fans in Jamaica got a sneak peak of 4 songs that may make the album – Save Me From Myself, Get So Low, Get The Girl Back and You Can’t Stop Us. Valentine’s Day merchandise was announced as well as plans to have Back To The Island 2014 in Jamaica as well.
February
In February we got a bit of an update on MMMHops and how distribution was a complication. We also got word about the 2013 Hanson Day Members Only Event which would be on May 5th. Early details included the concert, dinner, bowling championship, store, gallery and movie nights. We began to speculate on the track listing for “Album 6” based on titles mentioned in blogs and on live streams. We also found out that the album would be released in June and that there would be a US tour throughout the fall. It was also first mentioned that Hanson took a break before the recording of the new album and that there would be a documentary.
March
Hanson hosted the 90s on 9 Countdown of the top songs from 1997. A sneak peak was released in the newsletter with some items Zac was working on in the gallery. Get The Girl Back promo singles began arriving at radio stations. Taylor’s wife Natalie did a blog for Nameberry talking about their daughters name, Wilhelmina. Taylor turned 30! Also added to the Members Only Event weekend was an album listening party and a walk! Hanson released a video recapping Back To The Island and inviting fans to join them in 2014. It was announced that Hanson would be on Jay Leno in April. Hanson.net went down for updates.
April
When Hanson.net came back up, it included with it the North & South American tour dates! Hanson also teamed up with Mobile Roadie to create an app for fans on iPhone and Android. Get The Girl Back was available for pre-order on iTunes. VH1 released an early look at the Re-Made in America documentary. We found out that the ANTHEM packages would include 11 Demo songs – including 4 songs that did not make the album. Speculation began that Paul McDonald would be the opening act on the tour. VH1 released a video of You Can’t Stop Us. The Get The Girl Back video premiered. Hanson appeared on AXS Live, Jay Leno and did a concert for iHeartRadio. Darren Criss crashed Hanson’s rehersal and ended up on a hanson.net livestream! Radio promo dates started being announced. Hanson appeared on VH1 Morning Buzz and Best Week Ever. Hanson re-enacted the MMMBop video for VH1. Hanson was announced as a performer at Mixtape Festival. NoiseTrade released a Hanson 21 Years of Music EP which included the new track “Tonight”
May
It was announced that the Members Only Event would be live streamed for those who couldn’t be in attendance. Additional concert dates were announced. Hanson performed at the Wilmington Flower Festival. Hanson’s return to EPCOT’s “Eat To the Beat” concert series was announced. Canadian tour dates were announced. Hanson was included on a Top Ten worst bands of the Nineties list! We found out that Hanson would be participating in the Rock N Jock Broomball game at Mixtape Festival. Hanson attended the Hangover III premiere with MMMHops and MMMBop was included on the soundtrack to the movie. The Oklahoma Tornado shocked Hanson and they released merchandise for MMMHops with proceeds going to the Red Cross. The Members Only event was featured in Tulsa World. The month concluded with an announcement that Zac and his wife were expecting their 3rd child.
June
We officially found out that Paul McDonald, Drake Bell and David Ryan Harris would be opening for the Anthem World Tour in August/September, October and November. Hanson was announced as performing at the Do Something 20th Birthday party. Starland Ballroom announced their re=opening after Super Storm Sandy and that HANSON would be performing there in November. Get The Girl Back was climbing on the Hot AC charts. The European tour and album release was announced. Hanson appeared on Good Morning America and performed 2 sold out concerts at Irving Plaza in New York City. One was broadcasted live on AXS TV. Hanson performed at the MTV O Awards. Hits Daily Double predicted that ANTHEM would debut at #22. Due to delays, a digital download of The Sound Of Light, the members only EP, was released on Hanson.net for members to enjoy.
July
Hanson made several appearances in the UK in early July. On July 15th, ANTHEM was released in Latin America and the tour kicked off. Hanson performed at Mixtape Festival and competed against the Jonas Brothers at the Broomball game, where they were defeated. Jonas went on to be defeated by NKOTB.
August
Before kicking off the Anthem World Tour in the US, Hanson made several promotional appearances. Members Only Events in Europe were announced. Hanson’s stalker being arrested made the news.
September
Zac made the news after stopping his solo song performance to call out an obnoxious fan. In Atlanta, the home of TLC, Hanson did a cover of “Waterfalls”. The month ended with Zac in the news again, after being spit on by a guy trying to get on the bus.
October
MMMHops made its debut at the House of Blues shows in Chicago and we got a list of retailers in IL, KS & OK that would be selling the beer. Hanson appeared as judges on Cupcake Wars. Zac & Kate welcomed George Abraham Walker Hanson in to the world. Zac turned 28. We found out about the special guests for Jamaica as well as there being More Live Music! Zac treated Hanson.net members to a new Halloween song
November
After a break in the Anthem world tour – it picked back up as Hanson celebrated at the Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT performing as part of “Eat to The Beat”. Isaac turned 33 and the band performed “Livin La Vida Loca” while presenting him with his cake on stage. The US/Canada leg of the Anthem World Tour ended – with Hanson & Band surprising David Ryan Harris on stage during his set with an interesting dance number.
December
Hanson kicked off the European leg of the tour with a performance at the Apple Store in London. Hanson appeared on TeenNick. Hanson ended the year with a performance at First Night CNY in Syracuse, NY