We Love Music: Hanson

Photo courtesy of
‘Taylor’s still got it’
courtesy of ‘dcjasmine’

Oh, yes– you read right. I went to see Hanson (and Hellogoodbye) on Tuesday. Confession time: I liked it. A lot. I mean, my music taste has come a long way in 11 years, but you never forget your first love. And man, that Taylor Hanson… sweet Tiger Beat, he’s still got it.

The boys of Hanson– Taylor, Isaac, and Zac– may all be all grown up (plus married and with kids, no less), but their music retains the same sweetness and light that made them famous back in the late ’90s. Just about every song featured their signature three-part harmony, and most of their lyrics are about pure, unadulterated love.

Photo courtesy of
‘Hanson Use Your Sole Tour’
courtesy of ‘dcjasmine’

Most of their show consisted of post-Middle of Nowhere material, but then, they’ve put out a fair amount of albums since their preteen years. Highlights of the night were “If Only,” “Where’s the Love,” “This Time Around,” “Penny and Me,” and of course, “MMMBop”, which was the second-to-last song of their set. Taylor introduced it by saying, “Thanks for singing along for more than a decade.” Not sure how I felt about that, as it made me feel kind of old, but then again, he’s the one who has to sing about daisies and roses and whatever else that song is about for like 12 years.

By far the best moment of their show was when Taylor announced after some acoustic numbers that they were handing the stage over to Zac (He’s the youngest, normally the drummer, and formally “the wild one”) for a song off their upcoming album. I have to say, Zac banging away at that piano and wailing “Use me up/Use me up/Because no one does” was the most honest I’ve heard any of the Hanson brothers sound, ever.

Photo courtesy of
‘Crowd at the 9:30 Club’
courtesy of ‘dcjasmine’

The crowd at the 9:30 Club that night was, not surprisingly, overwhelmingly female. They also seemed to be mostly over 21, judging from the lack of hand stamps and the one drunken skank who kept bumping into me as she danced and screamed. I thought many of them would be like me, going to see them for nostalgia’s sake, but that didn’t really seem to be the case. Hanson has a pretty hardcore group of rabid passionate fans who know all the words to every single song and get really enthusiastic at their live shows. The Washington Examiner reported that 14 girls camped out the night before just to make sure they were first in line to see them. Yeah.

I mean, I get it. I won’t even get into some of the reactions I got from my friends when I told them I was going to see Hanson. They weren’t just a band, they were an obsession. I’m not sure they will ever quite reach those MMMBop heights again, but they are trying to keep the flame going with plenty of touring and some new music in the meantime. And now, for your viewing pleasure, another picture of Taylor. Because he’s dreamy.

Photo courtesy of
‘Taylor Hanson on piano’
courtesy of ‘dcjasmine’

Jasmine is a Spin magazine contributor who is completely obsessed with music and all things new and different. She’s lived in the DC area since 2006, and still has plenty to discover about this great area! Find out why she loves DC.

8 thoughts on “We Love Music: Hanson

  1. I didn’t get to see them this time around (haha), but I did see them and Take the Walk the last two times they were in town at the State in Falls Church. I’m now plenty old enough to know that it’s ridiculous that I still like Hanson, but not old enough to care :)

  2. Great review. I think you hit the nail on the head, to be completely cliche. I guess most people just don’t get that you don’t really get over your childhood obsessions. And why should you?

  3. Great review. I’m sorry that I missed the show. They do put on a great show and probably some of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. Love their acoustic stuff and wish they would play more of it.

  4. Great review – way to sneak some photos! (I got in trouble for taking the lamest of lame photos with my phone!) Happy you got away with it.

    I look forward to their next record in the spring.

    It would’ve been nice for you to mention they own their own record label now, too…Just a thought!

    Hanson fans are die hard – and I think it’s not as much of an obsession, but more of a relationship we have with the band – because we grew up together. Of course it’s great to reminisce with the old school music from 12 years ago, but it’s really the new stuff that keeps us coming back for more. Great review!

  5. @Sabrina you totally hit the nail on the head–accepting the ridiculousness is the only way to go! :)

    @Cassy I didn’t sneak those pictures, I had a press pass (which is key), but due to the flash restrictions they don’t look so hot. A more concert-worthy camera is on my Christmas list! And my bad for leaving out that Hanson is technically an indie band now and have their own label. There was so much more I could have included–it was a great show.

  6. Pingback: uberVU - social comments

  7. I think it’s really commendable that these guys are out touring all the time in little venues when they once played arenas. It proves they actually give two shits about the music. Will my Jonas brothers share this same fate?

    Did they play “Man from Miluakee?”?????? That song is THE JAM.