Sleeping on a train is not easy. I was "asleep" for 9 hours but I kept waking up because of stopping and starting or a bumpy patch. But all in all it was a neat way to travel. I ate breakfast before I got off and was greeted by Nathalie and a big sign! :) I am so glad she came to get me because Montreal is big and scary and I would not want to maneuver it alone.
Setlist:
1) Waiting For This (medley)
2) Make It Out Alive
3) Where's the Love
4) And I Waited
5) Speechless
6) Carry You There
7) Underneath
8) This Time Around
9) Penny & Me
10) Use Me Up
11) Great Divide
12) Voice in the Chorus
13) Can't Stop
14) A Minute Without You
15) Madeline
16) Thinking 'bout Somethin'
17) Oh Darlin (The Beatles)
18) MMMBop
19) Give A Little
20) If Only ("Let's Get it On")
21) Lost Without Each Other
22) Something Going Round
23) Long Way To The Top (AC/DC)

Soundcheck
1) Thinking 'bout Somethin'
2) Been There Before
3) Merry Christmas Baby
4) Run Rudolph Run
I never really looked into anything at all this time so I would have been very lost. We took 2 subways and a bus to get to her apartment. I needed a shower after the night on the train. Then we went down to the venue. It is in a SKETCH place of town. Seriously out of all the venues I have seen Hanson in this was definitely in the sketchiest area. And to top it all off the blocks all around it are under major construction. Not ideal. When we got there there were a few people already in line. We went to St Hubert's and had lunch. It was yummy; reminded me of Swiss Chalet. Then we went back, and the bus was there! :) No Hanson though, haha. They were flying in from Oklahoma.

We waited in the front and talked to the growing number of fans. Around 3 their tour manager came for me and Caroline to set up walk registration. Thankfully they let us do it inside the lobby because it was FREEZING outside! We had 94 people register for the walk. Hanson went out to everyone from where our table was, so we got to chat briefly with them before they started walking. It seemed to take a bit longer than Northampton... I think they got lost. When they came back Zac signed my CD for me and said thanks for doing the registration :) Then they went in for soundcheck. We took down the table and gave all the stuff back to the tour manager, and chatted with the venue staff. Nobody kicked us out or asked us to leave... and soundcheck was happening... so we just kind of stayed and watched. It was really nice. Especially since they did 2 Christmas songs :) We didn't hear them at the show though.
After soundcheck was M&G which I watched from afar since I knew 3 of the girls in there :) So excited for them! Then doors opened and the party started. I was right next to Nathalie in front row on Taylor's side. I have never ever been front row for a Hanson concert before, and I doubt I ever will be again (unless fate treats me as well as it did today). But man, it was nice. I figured I would take advantage of it this one time and live it up a little. There was no barricade so we were literally resting on the stage. Saweeeeet. Jarrod Gorbel played and once again I enjoyed his set. A little chill for starting off a Hanson show but I liked it. I also made friends with all the people around me (this is fun to do anyway but also important when you are going to be real close for a couple hours).

Just after 9:15 Hanson came on and played for over 2 hours. A 23-song set, even longer than Northampton! The highlight of the show for me was how close I was. It was just... nice. The crowd was dancy and there was no pushing. The set was identical to Northampton, except they added Something Going Round in the encore, and they did "Let's Get it On" with If Only!!!! I have NEVER heard that before so I was PUMPED! During "Can't Stop" I was feeling some pushing behind me, and I turned around and saw a girl that was WAY too drunk, or high, or something. She was causing grief to all those around her. Apparently a man pushed her to the ground to make her stop. Anyway, Isaac noticed it, told the crew on stage, who had the drunk girl removed. Isaac then proceeded, once the song was over, to tell off the guy, use a few choice words, and got him kicked out of the show. It was kind of epic. He didn't even get the hint right away, so Hanson's guitar tech and tour manager jumped into the crowd and got him out. Seriously. It was just epic. I am happy my band looks out for their fans. I wonder if the drinking age of 18 has anything to do with the insane number of obnoxious drunks at this show? It was a bit ridiculous.
Other things... there was birthday cake! No smash in the face though :( And I got a setlist.

After the show we went to the bus. I knew that they wouldn't be long since they have to be in PA by 8am. Isaac came out and signed for everyone, and Taylor came out briefly and went down the line before the bus pulled away at 12:15. So I managed to get Shout it Out signed by all 3 on this trip :) And Isaac signed the setlist I got. One thing that was nuts by the bus... well actually 2 things. Like I said, the area is sketchy, and there were homeless/drunk/nonsensical people behind the venue that kept bothering fans and the band/crew. At one point, someone left the bus door open, and I thought one of them was going to get on!! We yelled for the door to be closed and some fans pushed it to. Scary. The other thing is, tonight I felt like it was 1997 again. Maybe it's because Hanson haven't been in Montreal for 10 years, maybe it's because kids were drunk and weren't using common sense and courtesy, but seriously. Rather than stay in a line on the sidewalk like you're supposed to do, when a Hanson came out people swarmed them. For the first time in my LIFE I witnessed a girl chasing after Taylor as he was walking towards the bus. I couldn't even believe what I was seeing. Like seriously. It's not 1997 anymore, and you are doing the #1 thing to ensure they DON'T come out and sign. Gah. It is weird to be here where people don't know how to act or behave at the bus, or at the show. It's awesome more newer fans are able to go to shows now, but I kind of missed being where everyone knew the drill. And it wasn't everyone... most of the new people were awesome! But it only takes a couple ya know?

Anyway... haha, it was a fun day all in all. Nathalie and I were starving after the bus left so we got some Subway before coming home. My pictures are SWEET. I can't wait to edit them and get them up! The show was also amazing. Definitely glad I made the trek. Can't believe I got to see Hanson live 8 times this year! Nuts!!!

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