The year was 1997. A band of young brothers, with long golden locks, came on the scene with an incredible catchy tune that stole the hearts of girls around the world.
More than 20 years later Hanson are still making music and making girls swoon. And after decades of waiting, New Zealand fans finally got a taste of the band in the flesh as they performed the final show of their Anthem World Tour.
Swarms of ladies – and even a few dudes – in their late 20s turned up at Auckland’s Powerstation to see the trio. A grab-bag of those who had grown up with the band who were there purely for nostalgic value.
No matter their reason – hysterical screams from the crowd could be heard as soon as Taylor, Zac and Isaac Hanson stepped on stage.
Taylor Hanson performing at The Powerstation. Photo / Beka Hope Photography
“It took us a while to get here” lead singer Taylor Hanson declared, before launching into the grungy riffs of Fired Up, chased by the groove of I’ve Got Soul, both tracks from their latest album Anthem.
But it was their third songWhere’s The Love, from their first album Middle Of Nowhere, that made fans really come alive.
Making their way through a massive back catalogue of music, Hanson got the crowd singing and dancing to their feel-good pop-rock, taking a lot of people on a trip down memory lane.
Hanson have proved over the years that they’re not just some 90s boy band. They are three guys with a lot of music talent and after being a band who know how to put on a really fun live show. Hanson’s music was made to move to.
Isaac Hanson performing at The Powerstation. Photo / Beka Hope Photography
Part way through their set, after leaving the stage briefly, the three brothers returned to play an acoustic version of Madeline and Strong Enough To Break.
Hearing Hanson’s three-part harmonies over the stripped-down songs could really make a girl fall in love with them all over again.
Guitarist Isaac took a solo moment to switch to the piano and perform an audience choice of More Than Anything, before Taylor took over to play Crazy Beautiful.
Zac Hanson performing at The Powerstation. Photo / Beka Hope Photography
Throughout the night fans got what they were hoping for – Hanson’s greatest hits – but the band also threw in newer songs like Thinking ‘Bout Somethin’ and Get the Girl Back, showing they’re just as good as they ever were.
But of course MMMbop was the song everyone was waiting to hear, and the audience yelled out each word louder than before.
Taylor Hanson performing at The Powerstation. Photo / Beka Hope Photography
The night ended with an encore of Lost Without Each Other – where Isaac slid to his knees to rip out a rocking guitar solo – and a cover of AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll).
Both songs summing up beautifully Hanson’s relationship with their fans and the band’s own journey to keeping their music alive.
Hanson were tight, talented and fun. Hopefully it won’t take another two decades for them to return.
Hanson
Where: The Powerstation, Auckland
When: Sunday, August 17