She loves to keep you in suspense but you know she just wants to dance...
Before last night, I had seen Hanson live in concert twice and, while I remember their shows being good, I more associate them with the first time we officially met Del and Rache (Shark Bar, 2004) or became infamous Zinc groupies (Enmore Theatre, 2005) because we were more excited over the support act than the main attraction.
In their previous shows, they've either been too focussed on their new material (Underneath) or rarities and b-sides - brilliant for the diehard fans, but too exclusive for anyone less than dedicated. They're entertaining and talented musicians, who should be recognised for more than MMM Bop, but their song choices didn't cater much to the masses.
However, on their latest tour, playing a full house at Sydney's Hi-Fi, the trio of brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma absolutely nailed it! Combining released songs, cult favourites, up tempo numbers, ballads, acoustics, and select covers, they brought the house down.
The predominantly Gen Y crowd filled every nook and cranny of the newly refurbished venue (previously City Live and The Forum) and gave a hearty welcome to support act Matt Wertz, a Nashville singer/songwriter who did a fantastic job of warming up the crowd with his acoustic guitar.
But it was when brothers Zac, Taylor and Isaac hit the stage that the excitement became palpable. The floor seemed to move as one, dancing, clapping, cheering, jumping, singing, as the band opened with Waiting For This (from their latest album, Shout It Out), before creating an even bigger frenzy with Where's The Love (Middle of Nowhere).
For two and a half hours, the room basked in Hanson's back catalogue, specialising in catchy pop rock melodies and fun carefree lyrics, reaching fever pitch with MMM Bop; I can't recollect a time I've been involved in a more rambunctious sing-along - the atmosphere was electric!
The strangest thing was seeing songs I associate so heavily with my teen years - when they were also teenagers - being performed by adults; the audio took me back to the mid-90s while the visual was a swift reminder that fifteen years had since passed. That said, their energy levels were through the roof! Taylor jumped up and down for the duration of If Only - while singing and playing harmonica!
Personal highlights included: A Minute Without You, Madeline, Thinking Of You (songs I never thought I'd hear live); Thinking 'Bout Something, Give A Little (choice selections from their latest album); and their cover of Oh! Darling, during which Zac held a note for at least a minute...amazing!
Zac was always my favourite in high school - partly because he was crazy and adorable and cheeky, and partly because everyone else seemed to find Taylor or Isaac hot. Fifteen years later and that hasn't changed, albeit for different reasons - he did not stop beaming for the whole set, he did a brilliant job on percussion, and his vocals were flawless.
SET-LIST
Waiting For This
Where's the Love
And I Waited
Thinking 'Bout Somethin'
A Minute Without You
Georgia
Crazy Beautiful
[Acoustic]
Strong Enough to Break
Madeline
Wish That I Was There
With You In Your Dreams
Oh! Darling (The Beatles cover)
Thinking of You
Get Up and Go
Penny & Me
This Time Around
Give a Little
MMMBop
Lost Without Each Other
Hey
[Encore]
If Only (featuring Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On")
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