Hanson will perform Nov. 10-12 as part of the 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival “Eat to the Beat” concert series at America Gardens Theatre with shows at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. each night. Performances are included with Epcot admission.
The trio from Tulsa, Oklahoma — Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson — will take the stage tonight at 5:30 p.m. for the first of nine performances.
And yours truly, a diehard fangirl for nearly two decades, caught up with Taylor Hanson last week for a sneak peek about what fans can expect from this week’s performances.
“The shows are unique,” the 32-year-old said. “We try to make each one fairly well-rounded.”
The blonde-haired crooner said the shows need to appeal to both longtime fans and folks who haven’t tracked the group’s career since they launched to stardom in 1997 with “Mmmbop.”
“You always need to have a certain group of songs you feel like everyone’s going to know and be excited to hear each of those sets,” said Taylor Hanson.
The brothers are stopping at Epcot after wrapping up the 10-city Roots and Rock n’ Roll tour, their first American tour in two years. The tour’s closest stop to Florida was in Atlanta mid-October.
Each stop featured two nights of music, one night of the group’s own music and one night of covers highlighting the artists that influenced the band.
Fans should expect the tour to influence the upcoming Epcot performances.
“We’ll definitely play a lot of core Hanson stuff,” said Taylor Hanson. “But I would say it’s just likely you will hear some more of the cover songs. You’ll hear a little classic rock and roll and more soul songs.”
This is the first year the brothers are performing three nights at Epcot, an extension they consider an honor.
“We were excited that Epcot wanted us to come back and go longer this time for the first time ever,” said Taylor Hanson.
Last year, fans were treated to a meet and greet with the band as part of the unveiling of their new pale ale, appropriately named “Mmmhops.”
Unfortunately for fans, there’s no formal meet and greet this year. But fret not, fellow fangirls. That doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance to meet the trio.
Taylor Hanson said the group (read: the entire Hanson clan including wives, a bevy of children and extended family) can be spotted playing tourist around Disney’s parks this week.
“It’s kind of a different way of seeing the fans,” he said, adding they will gladly take photos and sign autographs.
Hanson performs tonight, Wednesday and Thursday as part of the festival’s Eat to the Beat concert series. The concerts, which are included in park admission, take place at America Gardens Theatre at Epcot’s American Adventure Pavilion at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. each night.
I plan to be there for every performance and will be live tweeting, Periscoping and meeting fellow fans for a little something we’re calling my “Hanson reflection piece.” Follow me at @CaitlinDineen on Twitter, Snapchat and Periscope for all things Hanson.
The Eat to the Beat concert series ends with performances by Maxi Priest (Nov. 13-14) and Chaka Khan (Nov. 15,16).