NZ Herald 

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

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The Edge

To celebrate Jamie McDell opening for 90’s pop icons Hanson, The Nightshow sang their own version of Hanson’s “MmmBop”.

(video at the source)

The Quietus

Why exactly should the enjoyment of a great piece of music be marred by guilt? Following last week’s Black Sky Thinking about the problems (and positives) of the concept of the ‘guilty pleasure’, the Quietus writers declare their undying, entirely non-ironic love for their favourite uncool songs. Introduction by Jimmy Martin

Hanson – ‘MMMbop’
(1996)

It’s around 2am in the Walled Garden at the Green Man festival when those arpeggiated notes, shuffling beats and strolling basslines come tumbling out of the PA system. In seconds I’m on my feet, and dancing with an unrestrained sense of joy. By the end of the first chorus a trestle table has become my own personal stage, and I’m grinning like a loon. Some of my friends give me bemused looks, shake their heads and return to their beer, but I don’t care. I might well be in an, ahem, advanced state of refreshment, but that’s not the reason. This is pop at its very best: hooks so big they could catch a swordfish, unabashed lyrical positivity and a chorus that doesn’t so much ignite as explode. Like all the finest bubblegum pop, ‘MMMBop’ is a wonderfully jarring sugar rush designed to thrill rather than nourish. Funnily enough, if you switch the speed from 45rpm to 33rpm, it sounds remarkably like Eels. Julian Marszalek

Perth Now

The trio transported the mostly female crowd back 17 years or so, to a time when life was simpler and the only way to hear their songs on repeat was to record them on a cassette tape.

Standing among the screaming crowd, 90s nostalgia was high in the air as diehard ‘MMMboppers’ were keen to revisit the days when Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson held every girl’s heart in the palm of their hands.

For this reviewer, the small venue at Metropolis Fremantle, made it felt like I was back in my old bedroom as a six-year-old with my 12-year-old sister by my side – squealing, rather than singing, the lyrics.

Even though, many years and albums have come to pass, and their trademark pop sound has changed a little, one thing remains the same – they adore their fans.

“I want you to put Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to shame tonight,” a barely audible Isaac said, over the top of hundreds of girls (and some boys) squealing with delight,

The brothers kicked off their final Australian concert of their Anthem tour with Fired Upfrom their latest album.

It was a little shaky at that start as the sound levels were slowly evened out, but once this was fixed and the tempo set, all you could do was watch in awe at the passion and energy these boys put into their performance.

Even though many in the crowd appeared to be less than familiar with the brothers more recent songs, their new sound was well received.

Despite Zac being placed on vocal rest earlier this week, he stilled mimed along with his brothers while enthusiastically pounding his drum set.

Playing from a fan-voted set list, the brothers played hits such as Year Book, Where’s The Love?, Weird and If Only.

As well as their more recent songs like Get Your Girl Back, Give a Little, Thinking ‘Bout Something and In The City.

But, as expected, it was their 1997 hit song MMMBop from their major label debut albumMiddle of Nowhere (which earned them three Grammy nominations) that really lit up the crowd.

They finished their stellar tour down under off with Aussie-rock classic It’s A Long Way To The Top by ACDC.

Before returning to the stage for an encore of Lost Without Each Other.

Despite a smaller fan base than that of 17 years ago, the brothers proved they aren’t just a one-hit-wonder with plenty of variety and talent on showcase throughout their performance.

It is little wonder they have sold over 16 million records worldwide and have had eight top 40 albums and six top 40 singles in the US, as well as eight top 40 singles in the UK.

The siblings will now travel to Auckland for one show, before heading to Mexico to play at sold-out shows.

Nova

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