Bustle

SOURCE: David Becker/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Well, there’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to level with you. Maybe take a deep breath and have a seat first. Good? Here it is: Hanson is coming to SXSW in March, and they’ll be performing, too. That’s right, the musical gods have smiled upon us and those of us blessed enough to love Hanson and attend the 2017 SXSW Festival will be some of the happiest humans on the planet. This will be one of the rare times Hanson comes together to perform at a major event, so make sure you buy your tickets ASAP, especially if you’re still on the fence. Do not — I repeat, do not — dither on this; go see Hanson at SXSW. And if you do, make sure to take pictures for those of us who can’t attend (cough, I mean me, please and thank you, cough).

But seriously, this is a rare appearance for Hanson. Sure, they’re brothers so they ostensibly see each other all the time and chill out, but it’s been a minute since they’ve been musically in tune with one another (see what I did there?) on such a big stage. The last album Hanson released was 2013’s Anthem. The last time they performed live was for ABC’s nostalgia-laden show Greatest Hits, where they performed, of course, “MMMBop” last July. It’s about damn time Hanson reunited in glorious fashion.

SOURCE: GIPHY

Now, Hanson’s return to SXSW is a bit bittersweet. Hanson got their start at SXSW back in the early days when they were trying to make a name for themselves. According to the blog Austin360, Hanson used to travel from their home state of Oklahoma and sing “a cappella to badgeholders sitting in the bleachers at the Krieg Complex for the Sunday softball event, which traditionally closes SXSW every year. Among those in attendance was a manager who signed the band and soon got them a deal with Mercury Records.” I mean, does this story get any better?

Yes, it does. It gets better when you go see Hanson’s set at SXSW and then tweet me all the details.

myStatesman

The Monsters of “MMMBop” are coming back to South By Southwest. Hanson, the Oklahoma band whose childhood rise to stardom began with an impromptu performance at the SXSW softball tournament in 1994, are returning this year to headline the first-ever Tulsa Music Showcase.

Presented by the Tulsa Office of Film, Music Arts and Culture, the March 16 show at the Bungalow will also feature Broncho, RVRB, Casii Stephan & the Midnight Sun and Wink Burcham. Hanson is one of several big-name acts SXSW has added to the schedule: Check back for more in our weekly announcement on Friday at 10 a.m.

Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson sang a cappella to badgeholders sitting in the bleachers at the Krieg Complex for the Sunday softball event, which traditionally closes SXSW every year. Among those in attendance was a manager who signed the band and soon got them a deal with Mercury Records. Their 1997 major-label debut “Middle of Nowhere” went multi-platinum behind the stratospheric success of the single “MMMBop.”

The brothers, now in their 30s, have continued to make records and tour. Taylor Hanson played SXSW in 2009 with Tinted Windows, the supergroup he formed with James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins, Adam Schlesinger from Fountains of Wayne and Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick.

KTUL

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Tulsa’s presence at South By Southwest is growing. For the first time ever, the Austin music festival will feature the Tulsa Music Showcase, headlined by Tulsa’s beloved Hanson.

“As we look ahead to a full year of live music celebrating our band’s 25th anniversary, we’re proud to highlight our Tulsa roots and join the Tulsa Music Showcase at SXSW,” said Taylor Hanson.

The Tulsa Music Showcase is the latest effort by the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture, which first brought Tulsa to SXSW in 2015 with the Tulsa Boom Factory, a music day party. In 2016, Tulsa Boom Factory featured the late Leon Russell, a Tulsa native, and expanded to include the “Created in Tulsa” trade show booth, promoting Tulsa’s entrepreneurs, film and music industries and arts organizations.

“Hanson is synonymous with Tulsa music – but they also have a global reach with fans all around the world, making them the ideal headliner for our first-ever SXSW official music showcase,” said Abby Kurin, director of Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture. “All bands traveling to Austin with us this year reflect the diverse talent we have in Tulsa, and our presence in Austin continues to raise awareness about the vibrant Tulsa music scene. These bands either call Tulsa home, or play our venues and festivals. I’m excited to see the finished product of such collaboration and hard work, and the attention it brings our city.”

The first ever Tulsa Music Showcase lineup includes: Cassi Stephan and the Midnight Sun, Wink Burcham, RVRB, Broncho and Hanson.

This year’s Tulsa Boom Factory performers are Lauren Barth, Mike Dee + Stone Trio, The Ivy, NUNS, Branjae and Travis Linville.

The “Created in Tulsa” booth will feature: MetKnow, The Mine, Woody Guthrie Center, Circle Cinema, Blue Whale Comedy Festival

“The fact that we continue to grow and expand our footprint at SXSW is incredible,” said Ray Hoyt, president of Tulsa Regional Tourism. “Our music history is one-of-a-kind, and our music scene is vibrant. To highlight our city at an internationally known festival is a top priority as we market Tulsa as a top national music destination.”

Fox23

TULSA, Okla. – Quick Facts:

• The Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture announced expanded presence at South by Southwest
• The Austin-based festival invited FMAC to present the 2017 Tulsa Music Showcase
• the Tulsa Boom Factory day party runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 16
• Hanson headlines the Tulsa Music Showcase from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. the same day
• Both events happen at Bungalow on Rainey

On the heels of successful Tulsa-centric parties and booths, the city becomes part of an internationally-known cultural event.

Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture launched Tulsa Boom Factory in 2015 and brought on the Created in Tulsa booth in 2016 at South by Southwest in Austin.

Seeing the success of those programs, SXSW invited FMAC to create a nighttime event for the 2017 festival.

Tulsa Boom Factory takes over Bugalow at Rainey for the third year from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 16.

That night, the first ever Tulsa Music Showcase runs 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., headlined by Hanson.

“Hanson is synonymous with Tulsa music- but they also have a global reach with fans all around the world,” said Abby Kurin, FMAC director.

“As we look ahead to a full year of live music celebrating our band’s 25th anniverary, we’re proud to highlight our Tulsa roots and join the Tulsa Music Showcase at SXSW,” said Taylor Hanson.

The Tulsa Music Showcase Lineup includes