AAA Backstage

It was a night of in-betweens as 90’s heartthrobs Hanson took at The Tivoli to guide Brisbane through their new album Anthem. Bringing along The Voice alumni Adam Martin as support the brothers three proved that they’re all grown up to a crowd that would have loved them either way.

Approaching The Tivoli on the opening night of the Anthem tour I pondered to my concert-mate (who was clad in a faded Hanson t-shirt) whether it would just be me and her in the crowd bopping along to Mmmbop. As we got closer I had to figuratively eat my words as the line stretched all the way down the street, around the corner and then around another corner. People really love Hanson, or more specifically people in their mid to late 20’s really love Hanson. Good to see their fan base has grown up with them.

Adam Martin, who was a contestant on the first season of The Voice, led off the night’s festivities with his own particular brand of acoustic indie pop. Being alone on such a stage with nothing but an acoustic guitar must have been daunting for the Melbourinite but he showed no fear and led the crowd through some inoffensive tracks, even eliciting a sing-a-long at one point. Lovely.

Hanson took to the stage amid screams that I thought were only present at a One Direction concert and launched into I’ve Got Soul, which as the title alluded, was quite a jazzy little number that highlighted how much Hanson has changed.

Anthem standout Fired Up did exactly what it was meant to as the crowd bounced off the walls singing along to this rock driven track. I would be amiss to not mention the amazing fired up sign that lit up in the audience during this track, Hanson definitely has fans committed enough to tackle electrical work for them.

Hanson got the crowd all fired up then abruptly left the stage to set up for an acapella number. All gathered around one microphone Taylor Hanson explained his and his brothers love and respect for fellow band of brothers The Bee Gees. Brisbane being the home of The Bee Gees, Hanson performed a pitch perfect rendition of their classic Too Much Heaven. I witnessed more than one case of severe swooning from the lady audience members during this song.

After this raw display of talent each brother took the stage individually to play a song. What actually took place was an interesting social experiment on the most popular of the three men. Eldest brother Issac began with a modest applause, youngest brother Zac performed his piano driven number to three “I love you!”s and one “Marry me!” plus a whole lot of screaming then middle brother Taylor playing to a screaming crowd and just one “I love you”. All in all, poor Issac.

The boys then played through another half dozen songs of their previous five albums before coming to the penultimate moment of the concert, the moment they played Mmmbop. The crowd predictably went nuts over the 90’s hit and it sounded amazing, however there was something a bit creepy about these grown men singing a song that so intrinsically connected to their teenage selves.

Fast forwarding to the future Hanson led on with most recent single Get The Girl Back a rollicking good number carried by a particularly forceful brass section. It was slightly disappointing that the brass in the song was simply a recording when played live but a good tune nonetheless.

Encore songs Watch Over Me and In The City pleased the crowd and left the whole concert on an upwards feel.

The Hanson boys have fought hard to stay relevant in the last decade, with five successful albums, their own music label and fans that scream like teenage girls at their concerts; it would seem as if they have succeeded. Musically, the guys nail it with their exuberant talent but to really get into the show I guess you gotta be one of those lifelong fans.

WA Today

“Crank it up, roll the windows down, go fast.”

That was how Isaac Hanson described the first track, titled Fired Up, from the band’s new album Anthem.

It’s a far cry from the group’s breakout 1997 hit MMMbop, but the eldest Hanson brother said similar themes have been present throughout their work.

“MMMbop ultimately is about trying to see the positive in the negative, trying to see the positive relationships you’ll have the in the face of challenge and strife,” Isaac said.

“Truth be told, that song in many ways was about us choosing to pursue music in spite of other things going on.”

“We decided that we were going to go forward with [a music career] because this is what we love and that has been a consistent theme throughout our whole career.”

Frontman Taylor said the song was partly inspired by “friends that didn’t get” the brothers’ early determination and passion for music.

“The cool thing about where we are and the fact that we’ve started so young is, I’m 30, but we’ve been doing this since we were kids,” he said.

“In many cases, we’re peers with bands that have maybe just put out a couple of records. There’s just so much more ahead of us.”

While there is a renewed interest in the group following the release of Anthem, their sixth studio album, the band said they had “never really stopped”.

“We were really at the beginning of the generation of people who grew up with web access,” Isaac said.

“Were it not for that, our ability to stay connected with fans, like our Australian fans, would have been practically impossible as we wouldn’t have been able to maintain that constancy, even when you’re busy somewhere else.”

Taylor said that history had brought them to a “good moment” where they felt they could appeal to fans of “different ages”.

“I don’t think we’re ever interested in pushing aside what we’ve done in the past, but of course you want to move forward,” he said.

“If you go to see a Hanson show now, you see a range of people we’ve literally grown up with, you see people who’ve discovered it halfway through and maybe only heard two or three albums.”

Despite the overriding theme, the band said their music has a new perspective. Each of the brothers is now married with children.

“We never really wrote about our autobiography, but I mean for sure in the love songs there’s a little bit more about keeping it together and staying true to things as opposed to the first infatuation with someone,” Taylor said.

“Really we’ve always written songs that were about things beyond ourselves and that’s part of what’s great about being an artist, being able to sit down and imagine a story and tell it.”

Youngest brother Zac is currently “under the weather” and so will likely miss out on some sightseeing, though he has still taken to the drums during the tour.

Taylor and Isaac said they were determined to check out some of Western Australia’s “natural beauty” for themselves. Taylor, “a photography nerd” is carrying around a vintage camera on tour to capture some of the sights.

“We’ve seen a lot, you see all the sights. Of course you see a lot of hotel rooms and airports and radio stations but we kind of take it in as you can,” said Isaac.

“Hopefully as we make Australia a regular touring stop for ourselves, only having been two years since our last run through the country, we’ll have a few days to see new things.”

Hanson will play Metropolis Fremantle on Friday night. Tickets are available here .

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/about-town/boys-to-men-why-hanson-are-embracing-their-boy-band-past-20140815-104i97.html#ixzz3AT0At0B3

AU Review

If there’s one thing you can say about Hanson, it’s that they definitely know how to give their fans their money’s worth. Countless tours, multiple meet and greets and special fan club events have had the Tulsa trio retain the fierce love of their fans beyond their 90s/early 2000s mania and their currentAnthem album tour is no exception to their hard-working ethic. For this reviewer, having only returned to the country the night before made for an interesting experience, battling jet lag in a venue full of screaming fans. Thankfully, I knew I was in for a good show from the band, so I knew what I was getting myself into.

Melbourne’s Adam Martin is supporting tonight and I can’t figure out where I’ve heard his music before. He is an alum of The Voice, though he’s garnered a huge following since for his original material which is impressive. He mixes his set up with a few covers thrown in for good measure and his style reminds me of Passenger or those songwriters who’ve been pounding the pavement with relentless live shows in developing their own entertaining style. Martin knows how to work a crowd and he makes no qualms about being the ‘warm up’ act, playing into the hands of the now antsy hardcore faction of the Hanson crowd.

Hanson last played HQ two years ago, which is fascinating to reflect on, it doesn’t seem like that long ago. I feel like I got the bulk of my pent up childhood/pre-teen emotions out at that show, which worked in my favour tonight. I realised, as the brothers walked out on to the stage, that they differ from so many of the bands myself and those of my generation came up with as they’ve always been focused on (the live front, at least), the live element of their musicianship. There’s no choreographed dances, no well-worn stage moves – if anything, you spend more of your time marvelling at how popular Hanson have remained, despite their latest albums not really achieving much in Australia, in terms of radio play.

They’re obviously a talented bunch of musicians. Isaac takes more of the spotlight this time around (ha ha) I find, showcasing some great blues talent on the guitar throughout the night. The new albumAnthem, like Shout it Out, is a great marriage of pop, funk and punchy R&B. Go on, crucify me. The way songs are interpreted live is undeniably catchy and Hanson have people dancing from the onset. You can’t deny they’re good at what they do.

Zac is battling a chest infection which prevents him from singing much of anything, though he performs with a cheeky grin and mouths lyrics whilst drumming up a storm. Taylor’s solo time onstage sees him pay tribute to Robin Williams with a heartfelt performance of “Be My Own”, earning the screams he surely must be used to now, 20 years into this game. Isaac gets ‘bitter’ with a performance of “Hand In Hand”, though it’s when all three brothers scale things back with “With You in Your Dreams” and “Tonight” that fans completely peak in euphoria levels for the first time in the evening.

The set tonight teeters on the over two hour mark and I can’t imagine how the band is managing to keep on the same enthusiasm level for so long, chest infections and everything considered. Of course, “MMMBop”, “If Only” and “Where’s the Love” generate loud sing alongs, though I enjoyed Hanson’s renditions of “Thinkin ‘Bout Something”, “Get the Girl Back” and “A Minute Without You” just as much. The connection the band has with the Adelaide crowd (and I imagine with the other Australian audiences) is a great one to watch; Isaac recalls the last show here as if it was yesterday, while Taylor is again, a great hype man as well as performer.

They may have aged, become family men and have ditched the baggy outfits, but there is still much about Hanson which has remained the same. The unbridled enthusiasm for decent pop music, an endearing live presence and of course, the ability to whip crowds up into a frenzy.

Oh, and lush hair (cc: Taylor).

Pogo Brain

I mean, logically it makes sense. Mmmbop was a hit when they were just kids. Add a decade to their already radio-worthy musical skills and you probably come out with some pretty talented grown ups. I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that this absolutely excellent cover of Ain’t No Sunshine is being performed by Hanson.

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