Setlist:
1) In a Way
2) Desire (U2)
3) A Minute Without You
4) Hey
5) Thinking of You
6) Can't Stop
7) Weird
8) Believe
9) Hand in Hand
10) Strong Enough to Break
11) MMMBop
12) Change In My Life (Rockapella)
13) Every Word I Say
14) Dying to be Alive
15) If Only
16) Long Train Running (Doobie Brothers)
17) Where's the Love
18) Crazy Beautiful
19) Rock 'n' Roll Razorblade
20) This Time Around
21) Feelin' Alright (Joe Cocker)
22) Look at You

Well, anyone who knows me will know I am a huge Hanson fan, ever since 8 years ago when MMMBop was everywhere. So when I finally got my chance to fly to TO to see them in concert, I was so happy! I joined their fanclub for the presale, and wouldn't you know it, I won the job of reporter! It was almost too much to handle. But somehow, I did, and it was the most amazing experience of my entire life.
I flew up to Toronto on Wed Nov 9 with my Mom, Rachel, and her Mom Doreen (kind of a mother-daughter trip idea). I was way too in shock when we were leaving, but on the flight Rachel and I watched the UAL DVD and it was so calming, I pretty much fell asleep. We were a bit delayed getting off the plane cause apparently there were lots of thunderstorms and the airport was on code-red for awhile (and there was a tornado in Hamilton? What the heck???). Anywho, we rented a car and drove to our hotel, then we had supper at a restaurant where I felt way too immature to be at :) Then we walked down to the venue. There were already over 20 people in line!! The first tent got there at 1pm. That's dedication right there. So I met fanclub people for the first time and had fun talking about Hanson and listening to Middle of Nowhere. Then I went to the hotel, drugged up on gravol, and got a semi-full nights sleep.

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Thursday I woke up and was like "Crap. I'm meeting Hanson today!" I had a hard time eating breakfast, then we went down to the venue. We found our friends and got in line and I was like actually shaking! I am so nuts. Anywho, there were 3 buses around the venue and I'm like "guys Hanson is here cause they drove up from Detroit last night..." no one could really believe it though. But when one bus left I took off after it, but it just circled the venue and pulled up by the front doors (right by the lineup) then the other 2 buses parked beside it. Hanson were on that bus, but they were asleep. At this point breakdown #1 happened. I lost it. haha. So anyway, I was in one of the tent's chatting it up with Rachel and a fanclub person, when we hear a couple of high-pitched screams... "someone is awake!" hahaha. So we ran to the fence by the door and sure enough, Hanson were awake and mobile. I caught glimpes of Ike Tay and Zac, their sister Jessica, Tay's wife and his kids (PS they are so cute!!). So it was exciting just to have them wave to us and say hi (and Zac doing some kind of dance for entertainment) and watching all the gear get brought in. I'm happy my first time seeing them wasn't at the Meet and Greet.

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After we went to Tim's for lunch it got FREEZING. From 4-6:30 the M&G winners were huddled together by the entrance freezing our behinds off. Finally their tour manager Rebecca came out to check our IDs and give us our passes. When I first walked into the venue and saw Hanson standing there... I was like ok, I think I might die right now. It was so strange seeing them in the flesh!! But they are so nice and normal, just like you'd picture them to be (if you're a fan who watches/listens to every interview they've ever done. lol). Ike and Tay signed my Middle of Nowhere CD and I was just like "guys, you have no idea... I have been a fan for so long and this is a dream come true. You guys are awesome..." and other random blabbing. Then Taylor asked who was the reporter (MEEEE!) and it was time for the picture. So I ran and got Zac to sign my CD and then went to get my camera out of my bag... except I couldn't FIND it and was fiddling for a long time... kind of embarassing when Hanson is standing there waiting for you ;) Finally I found it and took the picture, then I got to stay and chat while the 2nd group was coming in. I told them how I learned to play drums from listening to them and they said that was cool and asked what bands I played in. And I asked Zac if I could have his drumsticks after the show, he just kind of looked at me and smiled. I also talked to them about me being a fan and this was my first show, and saying how everyone who comes to Newfoundland sells out in minutes (hehe, well why not mention it?). Anywho, then the 2nd group came in, and I took that picture. Then they left and the tour manager took my picture with them. I told them I was debating where I would stand cause I wanted to be by all of them, so Taylor was like "well you can be in the middle and we'll kind of stand around you." Sounds good to me. After this they said to follow them backstage for the interview (OK!!!). I had to get all my stuff off the ground from the previous couldn't-find-camera incident, Zac was like "guys wait for her!" and he waited and then walked me out. I love him. here.

So yes, I went backstage. Pretty normal looking, I saw the schedule of what band was going on when, and I saw the curfew was 2am and not 11:30pm like some pple said, which was good cause the concert wouldn't have to be shortened. Zac then said "yeah, we're actually playing a 5 hour show tonight!" So anyway, we ended up in this little room, about the width of a car and about as long as 2 couches. I think Isaac's laptop was on the desk that ran the whole length. I sat in the middle, Ike on my right and Tay on my left, and Zac on the desk in front of me. And there I got to talk to them for about 10-15 minutes. Sorry I'm not allowed to post the official interview here cause it's only for fanclub members :( But, I can be vague! I asked them about the song "Rock n Roll Razorblade" and the poem "Watch me Bleed" from the Live CD and asked why they talked about cutting/self-injury to describe the passion of music. They said it has more to do with taking something out of you and how experiences are remembered by the "scars" they leave on your life. I then asked them about how they make up setlists to please first-time concert people like me, and concert veterans like the girl from Austrailia who is going to 17 shows this tour alone! They basically said this is a "Best of" tour so it's mostly older stuff, it's great for first-timers, and that the next tour for the new album will be all newer stuff. They also thought it was neat how the fanclub posts the setlists online in real-time during every one of their shows.

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3rd question was asking them about the sound of the new album. They said they want to combine the sounds of the first 3 CDs to get "their sound" and that it'll be hard-hitting. Last question I asked Zac about coming up with non-boring drum beats and they all talked to me about that for awhile. It was sweet! I got a hug after from Ike and Zac but Tay had the flu so he wouldn't. Sad times. And that was the end of my first time meeting Hanson!
After this I went to the merchandise table and bought a hoodie, t-shirt, and keychain. Yay for my first Hanson tour merch! Then I found the mother's (Rachel was in 2nd row and there was no way I was getting to her! There's a girl in hospital right now because of the crowd!) and we went into the 19+ bar which was un-crowded and had seats. During the opening bands I recorded the interview as well as I could remember. Then I got suited up with my camera, notepad, cellphone, and calling card, and I was off to the front row!
Since I was reporter I had a photo pass and got to be in front of the barricade for the first 4 songs. Hanson came on stage and I almost died. They opened with an unreleased song and then covered "Desire" by U2. But the real adrenaline rush was when "A Minute Without You" started. The crowd erupted into song and the energy was so thick it was nuts. Shivers up the spine for that one. I got some great pictures for the fanclub and then I had to leave the front :( The security was really strict, but I think it had something to do with the NUTS fans.

During the show I had to record the setlist for the fanclub, I took some pics and videos, and I called Britt on my cell for 3 songs (she like flipped out hearing MMMBop. haha). The show was fantastic. I couldn't have asked for a better first show. Even though the first 5 rows or so were INSANE, without any pushing or rudeness I could weave to like 10-15 rows back, which isn't bad. I started off on Taylor's side and kind of walked around the semi-circle during the show.

Highlights of the show for me:
  • "Change in my Life" a capella. Their voices were spot on and the words were so meaningful. Everyone was actually quiet for this one.
  • "Long Train Runnin" by the Doobie Brothers - holy Zac's voice! He sang lead and it was awesome. Also the solid drums with the syncopated electric guitar made it really lively. It was my favorite performance of the night.
  • "Can't Stop" latin version! Holy percussion and dancing!
  • "Hand in Hand" cause it's my favorite on the Live CD... the passion behind it.
  • "Look at You" cause it's so fun!
During the encore ('Feelin Alright' by Joe Cocker and 'Look at You') I scribbled a note to the security that said Zac will give me his drumsticks if he can see me... the guy I think felt pity for me and let me back up front after the last song!!! I almost got kicked out by the head guy but not before Zac gave me his sticks!!! He came right for me with a huge smile on his face and handed them to me. Apparently my face was priceless. After I recovered I looked to my right and Taylor was right there, he jumped down to the crowd. I was like "oh hi!" and then got pushed out by security. Breakdown #2 of the day was walking out of the venue, drumsticks in hand, knowing I just saw my first Hanson concert. The lady giving out the indie CD samplers felt bad for me and was like "you look like you need 2 CDs!" So cute.

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After I regained composure I went by the bus where there were already a good deal of people. After about 20 minutes Zac came out to sign autographs and talk to fans. He signed one of his drumsticks for me :) He stayed out for about a half hour, then shortly after Isaac came out for about 20 minutes. Then he went on the bus to get pizza :) After awhile Taylor and Natalie came out with Ezra and Penny! Cute family moment! After the kids got on the bus with Natalie, Taylor came out to see the fans. I was just in awe of how nice they are. So down-to-earth and normal and kind! All of them took time to sign things for fans and talk to them. They didn't have to, they could have got on the bus and watched a movie or something, since they did just play a 2 hour concert. I just kept saying "thank you guys so much" the whole time they were out by the bus. I guess after my not-so-kind experience with Avril by her bus, I was just so happy that Hanson were so friendly with their fans! And so after Taylor got on the bus, we went home to the hotel.

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And that's my first Hanson experience! YIPEE! IT FINALLY HAPPENED!!!!!! :)

On Friday we did some shopping, got a tour of MuchMusic, and got to be on MOD. So that was fun. Saturday we went to the Eaton Centre and we met up with Clara from the fanclub :) And Sunday I came home! And that was my trip! Wow, one week ago today was the concert.... how bizarre!

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