Concert Katie

the same song over and over again

Back To The Island Concert Hanson

Back To The Island – Day 4 and 5

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On the 4th day of Back To The Island – Maribeth went snorkeling while I hung out in the lobby and played on the WiFi.  Hanson had announced they’d be doing it again next year and I was reading all the girls who were at home complaining because we got priority to book first and a discount.

We went to the beach for a bit and were going to go from the beach to the autograph signing, but ended up going back to the room when we noticed I was getting a bit burnt.  We changed out of our bathing suits and then found out that we were not only getting an autograph but we were doing PHOTOS WITH THE BAND as well.  Good thing we didn’t roll up in our bathing suits!

The funny thing at the M&G was – Isaac and Zac just kind of asked how I was doing but Taylor decided he was going to ask me if I was going to the show that night.  I kind of wish I had said no – but I said Yes in what I am sure was a confused tone.  Why would I pay all this money to fly to Jamaica and skip the last show? haha.  I know he just was trying to make small talk, but it was amusing.

Then we just kind of hung out until the last show… We decided to bring a chair mid-beach so I could be a bit closer.  Girls started standing on tables closer to the front completely blocking our view so we had the Island Gigs staff ask them to move.  Very frustrating that they had to be that close and standing, but they listened and moved off to the side.  I ended up standing behind my chair and hanging on to it for support once the show started though because more and more people were standing in front of us and not scrunched up towards the stage.

I also loaded up on glo sticks. Perhaps too many, but I wanted to use them all and not have to bring any home!

They did 2 new songs – their first single from the new album “Get The Girl Back” and another new one that Zc sings lead on called “You can’t Stop Us Now” which I absolutely am in love with.

During Give a Little they had 2 guys and a girl up on stage to dance and it was freaking hilarious. I wish I got it on video. Someone must have, I’ll have to track it down and post it because we were cracking up the whole time.

They were also joined by Warren Haynes for “Soul Shine” as well.

After the show we ended up waiting for the guys to come out from the “backstage” area. Isaac came out and a bartender asked for his autograph but Isaac didn’t have a pen – but guess who did? Oh right, me. So he borrowed my pen and then all 3 of the guys left a little while later.

Turns out they went to the piano bar, which Maribeth found out about when she was in the lobby for WiFi. I was in the shower so I missed out on most of the fun, but I did get to hear Zac singing from outside our door because they had opened the doors at the piano bar so at least I got to feel a little special! (And considering how crowded it was, I probably wouldn’t have wanted to get much closer anyway!)

Then next thing we knew it was time to have our bags outside our door so that we could take our shuttle. We went for breakfast, packed up our carry ons and I managed to break my leg brace… when the dresser tried to eat me. (Not looking forward to how much the replacement is going to be!)

But we made it to the airport and only got my bug spray confiscated. (Not sure how I got it there but couldn’t take it back, but that’s ok. I almost left it behind anyway!) then we had a few hours to kill at the airport.

The rides home were uneventful except that I definitely got a cold from SOMEONE on board… and then I made it home without a problem from the airport and was happy to have the next day off to relax!

Back To The Island Concert Hanson

Back To The Island – Day 3

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We kicked off Day 3 with tie dye with Zac.  The staff was hanging out when we got there and we were told to stay cool and they told us a bit about how no one paid any attention to them once Zac had come with the first session.  Zac showed us a couple of tie dye techniques and and then came around to each of the groups to see how we had done.  Tricia, one of the staff members, was helping Maribeth with her design and then taught Zac a new technique while he was with our group – which ended up in him draping his shirt over my shoe for the demonstration!

After Tie Dye we hung our shirts out to dry and then we went to hang out at the pool for a bit.  Then I ordered a wood carving of the Hanson symbol and then we went to the beach to hang out for a bit.  We saw some crabs at the beach too.

While Taylor and Isaac’s events were going on with the other session, we hung out in the lobby to snag some wifi and also to see if we could catch a photo with Taylor or Isaac when they were leaving / going to their sessions.  Of course, many others had the same idea and while some were successful, we were not, mainly because I am not aggressive enough.

Night 3 the show was Charlie Mars and Robert Schwartzman. We had hoped Robert would be on first, so we could catch his whole set, stay for maybe 1 Charlie song and peace out. Instead, Robert was at dinner with us so we knew that Charlie was on first. We actually timed it perfectly though because we heard maybe 12.5 Charlie songs and he was done and then we hung around for all of Robert’s set.

Isaac came on stage and did “Ain’t No Sunshine” with Rob and then they traded covers and did “Tell Me Why” which Rob knew and Isaac didn’t. It was interesting to see it all come together on stage!

Back To The Island Concert Hanson

Back To The Island – Day 2

Katie 3 Comments

The second day we slept in until 11!  We also found out that our neighbor was Hanson’s backup player Dimitrius.  (Later we found out their bass player William was also our neighbor)  We took a tour outside of our back door and one of the water sports guys showed us where some fish hang out.  We also spotted the nude beach – complete with a guy on it. Of course.

We went to lunch at the Reggae Cafe near our room and there was a cat with no eyes that sacred Maribeth.  We were going to make a stop at the pool but there was some light rain going on.  We went back in the room and waited for the rain to pass and saw that 2 lounge chairs outside our door were open so we went to hang out there – immediately spotting a crab in the water!

At 3 it was time to make our way over to cooking with Taylor.  We found a table that also had wifi, so that was exciting as I could “live tweet” what was going on.  Taylor was taught by the chef how to make a couple of things while we all watched.  Honestly of the 3 events we did, this one was the most boring.  They first made Jerk Chicken, then some salt fish and finally Taylor asked them how to fry plantains because he likes eating them and wanted to learn.

After that it was time for mixing drinks with Isaac.  To get in the mood we got strawberry daiquiris.  Isaac was hilarious and had to watch the bartender make a drink and then try and copy it.  It seemed to be a lot more interactive than the first event and Isaac was joking around, enjoying himself and enjoying the drinks.

Then it was time for the acoustic show – which has been dubbed “the show no one remembers” – uhh yeah.  We started in the back and I had one of the drinks that had been named the Isaac Hanson… then Maribeth found us a spot on the side of the stage right by Zac where we remained for the rest of the show.

Zac did another new song – the shocking song with a swear word in it! (shit.)  After the show was over we went to the bonfire and then rested up to be ready for Tie Dye with Zac the next morning at 11!

Back To The Island Concert Hanson

Back To The Island – Day 1

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Day 1 of my vacation was off to an early start.  After getting home from Kris Allen at 11pm, I went to bed and got up at 3:30 AM to finish packing and head off to the airport.  My flight was at 7, but I wanted to make sure I got there in plenty of time.  And I did.  The shuttle at the valet parking got there immediately after I did, the security line was pretty quick and then I had an hour to spare before boarding.

Of course, that hour of waiting was not without excitement.  A police officer went down the jetway of the gate next to mine and looking out the window there was a fire truck.  A man ended up getting wheeled off the plane and EMTs with a stretcher went over to check him out.  I stopped watching at that point because I didn’t want to be rude.  Hopefully everything turned out ok!

The flight to Philly was quick and I was met by an attendant with a wheelchair who helped me get to my next gate.  My friend Maribeth met up with me at the gate and then we waited until it was time to board.  She had seats a row in front of me, but when we were ready to take off we realized the plane was nearly empty and we each had our own row! So she bounced back and forth to sit by me and play with our cameras a bit – AND we got free cake from first class.

We went through customs at the Montego Bay airport and then went to wait for our shuttle to the resort.  Our name wasn’t on the list but they told us we could get on the shuttle anyway and it would be leaving in 20 minutes.  Also on our shuttle was Kim and Christalyn and Jess and Val, which was nice!

The shuttle ride was 90 minutes and kind of bumpy.  When we got to the hotel they seemed to not know who we were, so we panicked a bit but quickly our reservations were found and we were escorted to our beachfront room.  We were very centrally located and the view from our room was amazing!

We ended up going to dinner at the Italian restaurant and then heard drums.  When we walked out of the restaurant we found that Hanson was doing soundcheck on the beach! We heard them do Thinking Bout Somethin and And I Waited.

Then we headed back to the room to nap a bit before the show that night at 9:30.  We also thought we would shower and were not so happy when we realized we had NO HOT WATER!

That night was the first electric show.  There wasn’t anything too out of the ordinary, but Zac did debut a new song to us – “Save Me From Myself” as his solo.  Then I was happy because concerts where I can add new songs to my list of songs heard live makes me very happy 🙂

Concert Hanson

Hanson at EPCOT day 2

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For day #2 at Epcot, I went by myself and I went in the afternoon so I wouldn’t be at the park all day trying to find things to keep myself entertained with.  I got there about 2pm and hit up The Seas and The Land and then went “around the world”.  About 3:45 I was going to make another loop around the World Showcase, but there was a drawbridge that was up (that I had no idea even existed) and so since I was stuck waiting for the globe to pass through, I decided to just go and get in line for the Hanson show.  It was about an hour wait and I ended up right up front in the spot I had for Show #3 the night before.

For Show #2 I decided to stay in the back after going to get dinner (Mickey ice cream, of course!) and then after a few songs I went and got back in line.  I could still kind of see the show from the line and I could hear it loud and clear.  This was the only set that they did a cover at – Oh Darlin – one of my favorites!

For Show #3 I was back at my up close front spot (which I ended up having for 3/6 shows!) but this time there were people in front of me that stood (the other 2 shows didn’t have that) so I did have to move around a bit more in order to be able to see – but it was still a great way to end the night.

For there being some repeat songs in each of the sets, I think they did a great job mixing up the other songs and we got a great variety of songs.  It was definitely a ton of fun and I am seriously considering going back again next year should Hanson perform again. (Provided I still have vacation left in October, considering they are doing a world tour and I will also be seeing them in Jamaica in January!)

Show 1 :

Waiting For This
Where’s The Love
Been There Before
Thinking Bout Somethin
Can’t Stop
Crazy Beautiful
MMMBop
Give a Little

Show 2:

And I Waited
Minute Without You
Thinking of You
Thinking Bout Somethin
Penny and Me
Oh Darlin
MMMBop
This Time Around

Show 3:

Where’s The Love
And I Waited
Get Up and Go
Penny and Me
Give a Little
MMMBop
Hey
In The City

Concert Hanson

Hanson at EPCOT day 1

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This week Hanson was down at EPCOT for the Food and Wine festival for the 3rd year in a row. I hadn’t gone in the past, but this year I decided to make the trip.  Each night they play 3 sets and they were playing 2 nights, so I could easily add 6 shows to my count.

Day 1 we did a split of Animal Kingdom (I had never been) and EPCOT.  We started out near the back for show #1, closer to the front for show #2 and had a great spot for show #3 up front! Each set was short, 7-8 songs and you had to leave the theater and line up again if you wanted to go to each of the shows.

A few songs were repeated each set (obviously MMMBop was one of them) and they didn’t do any covers. It was also Zac’s birthday so at the end of the 3rd show we all sang happy birthday to him. Also worth noting is during the last show of the night, a girl got so excited she ran up on stage and hugged Taylor.  Then she went back to her seat.  The Disney castmembers kind of scrambled with what to do, but as far as I know didn’t kick the girl out (if I remember correctly it was the last show of the set) they did put the rope in front of the stairs coming down from the stage again, but really that wouldn’t have stopped anyone from a copycat performance!

After the show we stayed for the Illuminations fireworks show which was really really awesome.

I’ll post more about day #2 at epcot and the rest of my FL trip a little later :)

Show 1:

Wheres The Love
Waiting For This
Minute Without You
Penny and Me
Thinking Bout Somethin
MMMBop
Give a Little

Show 2:

And I Waited
Thinking Of You
Waiting For This
This Time Around
Thinking Bout Somethin
MMMBop
Lost Without Eachother

Show 3:

Waiting For This
Minute Without You
Thinking Bout Somethin
Penny and Me
Crazy Beautiful
MMMBop
Hey
If Only

Concert Hanson

Hanson Members Only Event

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Sunday night, Hanson had their (now) annual Members Only Event in Tulsa, OK.  Fans from all over the world came for the show.  There were 2 sessions and I was in Session 2, which was at 9pm.

Unfortunately, since the event was being recorded there were times when I could not see all 3 guys over the camera men’s heads, but hopefully the recordings will end up being streamed so I’ll be able to see what I was missing at those times 😉

This Members Only Event (MOE) was special because the guys have been a band for 20 years (hard to believe, I know, since Zac is only 26) and it has been 15 years since the release of their debut single MMMBop and debut album Middle of Nowhere. (released in 1997)

They started out by showing us their very first audition from 20 years ago.  They were auditioning to perform at Mayfest, a Tulsa event that happens every year in you guessed it, May.  The video was absolutely adorable, but at times I had more fun watching the guys reactions as they watched the audition.

They started off by singing the song “Rain” acapella, which I believe was one of the first songs that they had written together. (My brain is fuzzy because I am so sleepy, and you’ll find out why probably next week when I re-cap the non concert portions of the trip)

Then they went in to the song “Think” (originally by Aretha) to show us one of the songs that they grew up listening to and singing when they were kids.  Next up was Thinking Bout Somethin which you can tell definitely has a lot of inspiration from Think and other similar songs they grew up on.

Next up was Lonely Again – a rare B side that was performed on their 2000 tour, but one that I hadn’t heard live before.  And then they talked about how they gave us a lot of songs on members only CDs through the years but we often have to put up with a lot of “crap” that Zac adds to the cd.  They performed “All This Love Crap” which was a song Zac wrote for Valentine’s Day a few years back and they made a music video for it.  It was great to hear such rare songs live!  Then they went in to Every Word I Say, which isn’t as rare but definitely a fan favorite and B side to the Penny and Me single.

Then they played the new members only cd in its entirety – Up All night, My Own, No Sleep for Banditos, Heartbreaker and Chasing Down My Dreams along with a video that talked a bit about each of the songs.

They also premiered part of a song called “Tonight” which is set to be on the new album.  Taylor announced that they intended to do another members only event in the fall to let us hear the new music they are working on first.

For the encore they did Lost Without Each Other, Give a Little and This Time Around.  Unfortunately this year since the crowd was SO big (600+ people in each session, if everyone who RSVPed showed up) we were unable to get group photos with the guys, but that’s ok as I am kind of  “over” those group photos and would prefer one on one pics.

Look for lots more details on the trip next week! (I was intending to only do 1 post, but considering all the drama that went down on the flight home, that may end up getting its own post)

Concert Hanson

Hanson in Sayreville, NJ

Katie 4 Comments

Thursday night was Hanson’s 6th time playing the Starland Ballroom! (And my 66th time seeing them.) This was an additional show that they threw in to the mix when making up a couple of the canceled shows from the Musical Ride tour.

Opening up was Joanna Burns, who seemed to do an awful lot of songs.  The highlight of her set was the medley she did of Christina, Mariah, Whitney and other power house female vocalists.  I think she really won over the crowd with that one – but then lost them when she did 2 more songs.  Maybe she should have ended her set with the medley.  Random fact – she mentioned she opened for Hanson once before at Starland with April Smith and the Great Picture Show. She was enjoyable though – it just seemed like her set went on for ever (and it is probably just because I am always incredibly impatient when I know Hanson is about to perform.)

Then it was time for Hanson.  I was teasing saying I could name the whole setlist before they did it – but I guess they heard me and decided to switch things up, well, a lot.  And I got the new song I had been hoping for when they threw in Ray Charles “What I’d Say” (at least, I think that is what the name of the song is) during Thinking Bout Somethin.  I knew something was up when before the song started Isaac walked over and said something to Zac and then something to Taylor.

They threw Stories in the mix for the acoustic part of the set, since they are celebrating their 20th year as a band.  For the solos, Zac did Go on guitar (I was glad because I couldn’t really see him at the drums because of his mic stand and everything else he had rigged up over there at his set), Isaac did Being Me – which marked my 12th time hearing him sing that (ughh) and Taylor did Me Myself and I.  I’m not sure he has done that one as a solo before! (And my goodness it sounds so much like Song to Sing I get them so confused with the opening notes!)

When Zac sings Oh Darling, he holds out one of the “ohhhhs” for a really long time.  Taylor was trying to pump everyone up and running around the stage getting us to cheer.  When Taylor got to Zac’s side of the stage, he ended the note and Taylor had to run back to the piano to start playing the rest of the song. It was hilarious.

For the encore, Zac said he got new drums.  Taylor asked to hit the lights and the drums LIT UP and changed colors. They were awesome.  Zac after the show mentioned that they are from a company he’s been working with and the making of them will be a TV show.

After the show we waited by the bus – and Zac was the only one to come out. I got a photo with him, although it is awkward because he was on a ramp and I was on the ground… but that’s quite alright.  Though things did get a bit crazy when he came near us, people climbing all over me and on the ramp railing (where I had claimed my spot as soon as we walked outside!) and on my head. But I survived and didn’t go ballistic on the girls standing on my head (although I really wanted to. I mean, really, there is no reason to climb all over other people when Zac is really good about trying to get to everyone.)  At midnight Zac went back to the bus, which turned on, so we figured they would be making their way out and headed to our cars – while the venue proceeded to turn off all the lights on us.  And I made it back home to CT in record time! (No road work! woooo!)

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Concert Hanson

Valentine’s Day with Hanson

Katie 4 Comments

Tuesday night, Valentine’s Day, Hanson had a show at Northern Lights in Clifton Park, NY. Being the show was in the middle of the week, for a while I wasn’t sure if I’d end up going – but then I figured I had to. I’ve never had plans for Valentine’s Day and spending it with my favorite band would be a pretty awesome thing, even if it did mean driving 2.5 hours there and 2.5 hours back for a 1.5 hour set from them!

For some reason I had convinced myself doors were at 6, but they were really at 7. The show kicked off at 8 with 3/4 of “Wild Arctic” (I think that’s what they said their name was) performing. I sat down and didn’t pay much attention to their set at all. Then I spotted a few of my friends so we caught up a bit.

At 9pm it was time for Hanson! I was hoping for some rarer love songs since it was Valentine’s Day and all, but really, no such luck. (I’m never going to hear Love Somebody To Know live!) Running a Hanson fansite (hansonstage.com), I am pretty up to date on what their setlists have been on the Canadian tour they just finished – and this show was not much different. However! They did go off their “rehearsed” stage banter and talked a bit about it being Valentine’s day and thanked us for spending it with them (and Zac and Isaac asked if we would be their valentines. Isaac said something about that being a LOT of valentines and Zac replied that he was a whole lot of man or something to that effect lol!) Then at one point Taylor said there were a lot of guys there (there were! and they all at some point or another seemed to play “air piano”) and then said something about “all 27 of you”.

This show was actually a make up for one in October that got canceled due to the band being sick. They apologized and dedicated “Wish That I Was There” to those of us who had tickets to the show that got canceled.

For their solos – they went a little different than usual (but nothing I’d never heard before) Zac said that he had several requests but none of the songs were romantic so he sang “Need You Now”, a song about his wife (ew.) Isaac came out for his solo and said he opted to sing something that WASN’T romantic and sang Being Me (probably my least fave Isaac song… oh… EVER! Although it struck something in me that night.) and then Taylor did one of my FAVORITE solos of his, Love Me, an Elvis cover. It was this string of songs (and With You In Your Dreams that followed) where I was tearing up. Why? I don’t know.

They finished out their set with a bunch of my old favorites – Hey and Lost Without Each Other to name a few. Then for the encore I was hoping there’d be something new… but nope! Ah well, it was still a great show even if it has been a while since I’ve heard a song that I’ve never heard live before. I guess that is what you get when you’ve seen them 65 times. (The last time I heard something new live was actually October – so, really, ignore my complaining but I used to get 1-2 new songs every show for a while so they have spoiled me!)

A couple of observations – during the show security was trying to get 2 girls to leave. I’m assuming they were drunk.  One was really fighting him taking them towards the door – so much so he PICKED HER UP and carried her outside.  Her friend followed and seemed like she was fighting him as well.   When the show was over, I walked to my car and the girls behind me got in to the car next to me.  The driver screamed out something like “omg!” and picked up a HUGE box of chocolates from her windsheild.  Her boyfriend (I assume) came by during the show, found her car and left them for her!

The ride home got a little crazy when it started to SNOW! But it turned to rain by the time I got home, at 2am. Then I couldn’t fall asleep until 4am… AND I still made it to work on time.  And now I get to do it all again tonight – but in New Jersey!

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Concert Hanson Photos

Hanson Musical Ride Tour NYC

Katie 0 Comments

In New York City, Hanson did something a little bit different with their musical ride tour. Before the show, they did an event called “The Story” for members of their fanclub. During “The Story” they told the making of one of their albums. This was done at 3 stops previously so the album that we got to hear the story of was 2007’s The Walk.

For about 45 minutes  the band discussed the process of writing songs, how several of them had existed for quite some time before finally “fitting” on an album with the other songs. (Although they started with talking about Coldplay, Fiona Apple and and Alanis Morissette and album and song titles being long and made up)

Most interesting was the band discussing their trip to Africa and the song Been there Before. There’s a line “does it move you, does it sooth you, fill your heart and soul with the roots of rock and roll” and they had an African choir singing “rock and roll, rock and roll” in the background.  Isaac explained how the kids just really  wanted to sing the rock and roll part over and over, and how it was moving because the roots of rock and roll are in Africa since it can be traced back to gospel sung by the slaves in the south who had come from Africa. And how realizing that was really inspiring.

After the discussion they took a few questions and answered them and then it was time for doors to open at 7pm.

Charlie Mars took the stage at 8:30! And did a few different songs than he had done the previously 2 times I saw him. (And I realized that my name is in not one, but TWO of his songs!)

We were worried with Charlie starting so late that Hanson would in turn start late as well, but they came out at about 9:30.  The opening of the show was the same as the past few – starting with Musical Ride, going in to Waiting For This, Where’s The Love, Thinking Bout Somethin… etc.   Then it was time to go in to the album for the night – The Walk.  They missed playing “Your Illusion” but did all the others in almost the same order as the CD which was interesting.

For the acoustic set they did Go, Carry You There and then Zac did his solo song, The Walk – which had actually debuted on their tours in 2003 (we fans called it “Tightrope” originally) and it ended up being the title track from the next  album they released.

During If Only they did a bit of “Let’s Get It On”, which of course I could not enjoy because Taylor made his “if you can stand you can jump” comment again, which just put me in a rotten mood because I can’t. (And I’m thinking I am going to send Zac a message about it because I go to these shows to not worry about anything and then I am getting upset that I’m disabled and that should not be how it goes!)

They also jumped off the drumset at the end and I got an awesome shot since we were right in the center of the seats in the back!  Looks like I’m going to be busy making a new layout for my Hanson blog very soon. (Or not so very soon as my weekends are getting more and more booked as the days go by – and weeknights too!)

Setlist under the cut!

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