Concert Review: Hanson Live!
Published by Jessica Quenzler on 09/24/03 at 06:33 PM

Date: September 3rd, 2003
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Venue: Nita's Hideaway

Three years had gone by since the last time I saw Hanson in concert, but the time was worth the wait. I had the chance to attend Hanson’s 'Underneath Acoustic Tour' on September 3rd, 2003 at Nita’s Hideaway in Tempe, Arizona. The tour was put together in order to promote their newest CD, 'Underneath Acoustic,' which features eight new tracks and a bonus track.

The Tulsa trio is now grown, with all three sporting short haircuts unlike the Hanson we knew back in 1997. Taylor is now married with a little boy, Zac is almost legal (his birthday’s next month), and Isaac has been old enough to drink for almost two years!

Now, before the concert date approached I was weary as to whether or not this 'low key' concert could live up the previous ones I have experienced, and to my surprise it did. The set included oldies to newbies to covers as the trio rocked the club. Among the crowd favorites were the first single off of Underneath, 'Penny and Me', the band’s first single 'MMMBop', and a cover of Little Richard’s 'Rip It Up'.

The band took turns doing solos that will forever remain imprinted in my mind. A surprise to the audience was when Zac Hanson took over the piano and did a beautiful job performing an unreleased track called 'Lulla Belle' , while Taylor performed another unreleased track, and personal favorite of mine, 'Never Let Go'. Isaac did a wonderful job transforming the This Time Around song 'Hand In Hand' into an acoustic version.

Although this tour is almost over, there have been talks of a possible college tour and a tour to promote their full-length cd which is coming out early next year. If you have a chance, check out the acoustic tour. If you can’t do that, look out for the upcoming tours. A Hanson concert is by far the best you can attend, so don’t miss up on the opportunity!

Original Article