Take a Walk With Hanson

By Broadside Staff Reporter Emily Sharrer

Last Thursday night, Hanson, the trio of brothers that emerged in the ‘90s with their hit song “MMMbop,” played a 23-song set at The State Theatre in Falls Church. MySpace sensation Kate Voegele and Massachusetts quartet Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers opened for Hanson, who took the stage around 10:20 p.m. At the end of Kellogg’s set, audience members were swaying side to side to set-closer “Milwaukee” in anticipation of what they had really come to see: the Hansons are all grown up.

For over two hours, Hanson entertained the small audience with a mix of old and new songs, as well as three covers. To kick things off, 22 year old Zac, 24-year-old Taylor and 27-year-old Isaac launched into two songs off their newest album, The Walk, followed shortly by “Where’s the Love,” one of the singles off of their four-time platinum Middle of Nowhere.

After hyping up the crowd, the boys brought things down a notch with stripped down versions of crowd favorites “Penny and Me,” as well as their mega-hit “MMMbop.” For the first part of the show, seemingly unnecessary set changes distracted from the show’s energy and it appeared that the three were not going to be able to live up to their September show at the 9:30 Club. The a capella version of the gospel song, “Change in My Life,” was a true testament to the boys’ talent and Isaac’s solo version of “Everyday,” reignited the audience. The audience was hooked after “If Only” from 2000’s This Time Around, and the energy kept on building from there. They closed out their set with “Something Going Round.”

Hanson’s next show is tonight at the House of Blues in Asheville, North Carolina.

Hanson Setlist:
“Great Divide”
“Been There Before”
“Can’t Stop”
“Where’s the Love”
“Crazy Beautiful”
“Hole in My Life (Police Cover)”
“Penny and Me”
“Go”
“Mmmbop”
“Change in my Life”
“Everyday”
“Got a Hold On Me”
“Blue Sky”
“If Only”
“Running Man”
“Let Love Rule” (Lenny Kravitz Cover)
“Hey”
“This Time Around”
“Watch Over Me”
“Lost Without Each Other”
“Something Going Round”

Encore:
“Never Been to Spain” (Three Dog Night Cover)
“Rock and Roll Razorblade”