I was lucky enough to get tickets to see Hanson at Nita's Hideaway in Tempe on Sept 3. I had to work that day. I taped their appearance on Channel 3 since I missed it last time they were on ( Just like Tara Hitchcock). I was disappointed that I missed them on Channel 10 on Labor Day though).
I left work a few minutes late and ran to get fuel for myself and my car. Then I went to the venue. Thank god for the freeway because it only took me 50 minutes to get across town. I had never been to Nita's. When I pulled in to the parking lot all the parking spaces were taped off so I had to park farther away behind the venue. There was a long line already waiting to get in. As I went to find a space I passed a bus that I thought was Hanson's but it wasn't. I walked to the venue from my car and passed their bus parked behind Nitas. I got in line about 6:40. We were supposed to be let in at 6:30 but Hanson wasn't finished with their sound check yet so we had to wait until about 7:10 before people were let in. I bought a t-shirt and a poster (from Jessica I think). Then I bought bottled water because I was dying of thirst. The concert was supposed to start at 7:30 but it started at 8:30 (must have been Hanson time).
They played
-Rock and Roll Razorblade
-River
-Misery
-Where's the Love
-Runaway Run
-Summertime Blues
-Lula Belle
-Teach you children well
-When you're gone
-With you in your dreams
-Underneath
-Hand in Hand
-Never Let Go
-Strong enough to Break
-Penny and Me
-Hey
-You never Know
-MMMBop
-Rip it up
-This Time Around
There were a wide variety of ages, there. Men and Women, from all over. People who have seen them before and people who were seeing them for the first time. I stood in back (so that I wouldn't get crushed) and only saw the guys from the waist up as usual. But I had a great time. It was worth it to hear them cover Teach your children well, Summertime Blues, and Rip it up. Their solos were great. When did Zac become an adult? Wasn't he 11 just yesterday? During Rip it up Ike said "New law in town, you gots to shake your ass" so we did. This time around and MMMbop were fun because they got the audience really in to both songs. I still don't know how they do with you in your dreams and not cry. They came back to do Song to Sing and the encore. Then a lot of girls left as they were getting off stage. I knew exactly where they were going- to the tour bus. So I followed them. We moved to another spot when one of the girls said there's Zac. I had to run to the car to get my camera because I didn't want it to get taken away at the concert. I hoped to god that they wouldn't leave before I got back. They didn't. But everyone was on the bus. Then they went back into Nita's. Natalie came out with Ezra. He's cute from what little I saw of him. It was getting late and hot but I kept saying patience is a virtue and will be rewarded. At one point someone delivered a pizza. Micha came out and talked to some of the girls. Natalie came out of the bus and went back in to Nita's. As she was doing this someone yelled, "Hey Nat, tell your husband to get his skinny behind out here" or something to that effect. Ike had also gone back and forth from the bus to Nita's. Finally Zac and Taylor came out. I mostly stayed by Taylor and watched him sign autographs. He is definitely the charmer that people say he is. One guy asked him about football. Taylor said "don't get me started about football" "I am a sooner fan though". One girl asked him for a hug. He said how about a handshake because a hug would be took awkward with the wall." He commented that one girl had a strong hand shake. I took 2 pictures of him. Walker was with him. When he was done I went over to Zac (who I had forgotten was there because he was in a different spot) and took 2 pics of him (only 1 came out). I didn't get to see as much of his interaction with the fans. I only saw him sign 1 cd, take 1 pic and not talk very much. Then Walker collected him and they went to the bus. I left happy that I had gotten to see them in action like that because I had never been lucky enough to do so. Maybe next time I'll get the guts (or the balls as one girl who didn't get tay or zac's autograph either had said) to get their autograph. That was one reason I brought my UA CD with me. I also was a little disappointed that Ike didn't come out. I listened to my UA cd on the way home. I didn't get home until after midnight which I haven't done in awhile. Fortunately I didn't have to get up until 9 in the morning so I could be at work by noon on Thursday.
I thought that no one I know had seen me at the concert but the next day a student that goes to the school that I work in said to me "so.. Hanson" I said "were you there last night'. she said 'yes are you a fan' I said "yes.. you? 'she said "yes" then left. Rock on sister! Caught! But it was worth it. I had a great time and a lot of memories were made that night.
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