The most heard sentence, when I told someone about: What, they still exist?! Yes they still exist, and how they do! Hanson, the brothers trio with their uber-hit “Mmmbop”, who dominated the charts in the 90s. They celebrate this year with their “Middle of everywhere” world tour their 25 years band anniversary. Therefore they played their very first concert in Zurich, at Komplex Klub to be accurate.
The queue before admission was manageable. The location only filled shortly before concert start. Even the security controls became stricter in many places, we were inside the location quickly. As I was standing in front of the stage, I was wondering for a moment, whether there were any Swiss among the audience at all. So many foreign-language speaking ones were in the club.
Some indeed seemed have travelled from far to join the band on tour. But of course there were some from Romandie and Ticino as well. Even I came to the concert on my own at short notice, I quickly got into a conversation with a concert visitor. So the waiting time passed super quickly.
24 years old British singer/songwriter Lewis Watson kicked off the evening. Like many young musician he reached publicity through uploading cover versions on youtube. But only with the release of his first EP “It’s got four sad songs on it btw” he got the attention of the labels. He has released several EPs and two albums, the recent one titled “Midnight”. 2013 Lewis was on tour through Australia as a support for Birdy.
Lewis charmed the mainly female audience quickly with his accoustic pop/folk songs and his charm. He was grateful that everyone was listening to him signing about his ex, he was laughing. The photo he took of the audience was only to impress his father. It was a nice, likable start into the evening.
At 9pm Hanson started. The backdrop, they presented recently in social media, wasn’t hanging. Haha, I have already thought, it was going to be too big for the small Zurich club. (I got the impression by the way, that they play in bigger locations everywhere else). But unmistakably there were Hanson standing. They started with “Already Home” and after one song after the other followed. It was at first an incredible surreal moment to stand in front of the Tulsa brothers.
I was 12-13 years old, when Zac, Taylor and Isaac were hanging at my room’s walls in posterform. Zac, the youngest one, is about 5 months younger than me by the way. As if it was only yesterday. Now I was truly standing at a concert of Hanson; in a small, not complete crowded club in Zurich as if they would just start. Though the multiple family men celebrate their 25 years band anniversary. I couldn’t be part of the concert in Solothurn 4 years ago, so I was even more looking forward to this one.
Here the video of “Mmmbop” (1997):
As usual Isaac on guitar, Zac on drums and Taylor at the keys, they had two additional musicians with them on keys and bass. An incredibly energetic concert, animating the audience to go and sing along. “Where’s the love”, “This Time Around”, “Weird”, “Madeline” – they played all their hits.
Once all three were standing only with acoustic guitars at the front of the stage. Once Taylor and Zac swapped instruments. Once Taylor was playing bongos. There were songs, they have never played live or only rarely. Of course the actual single “I was born” couldn’t be missed. It was a fantastic pop/rock concert with great solos and super vibes in the audience.
Shortly after 10.30 pm I sadly had to leave to catch my train. The concert seemed still to go on for a while accordingly to the setlist from Paris the day before (yes, I checked it ahead). A short part of “Mmmbop” I still just got to hear. I was extremely late. But I know now, that it is possible (possible, but not to recommend) to change at Zurich main station from platform 44 to platform 31 within 2 mins ;-).
Sure a pity I couldn’t finish the concert. I was happy having heard at least a part of “Mmmbop”. But Hanson are so much more than only this one song. I would have gone home as hyper and happy without it.
It was an amazing concert and I hope to see them (as soon as possible) live again. You sure should join next time.
Info about Hanson you get here www.hason.net.
Info about Lewis Watson you find on www.lewiswatsonmusic.com
Check my youtube playlist for more videos: Hanson in concert | Lewis Watson in concert
