On The Road - Las Vegas

As soon as our camper van rolled into Las Vegas the morning of the 25th, I was hit with an indescribable sadness.  I knew that I would be seeing the guys in less than a week (at EPCOT for Food and Wine Fest), but it wasn’t really about missing the band.  It was about missing the insane lifestyle of following a band, and the memories you make along the way.  It was about the people I had experienced the whole thing with and the hours in line we had shared.  I was also strangely nervous about the show, seeing as the San Diego concert was so incredible.  But, I was (as usual) getting ahead of myself.  The Las Vegas show was one that I will never forget.  

We parked in the Mandalay Bay parking garage around noon and headed into the casino.  I had checked in with a few people already there, and confirmed that there was, in fact, a line inside.  When we finally found the House of Blues, we were greeted by a gaggle of girls who we now knew by name.  And so, I spent my first and only day in Vegas, inside a corral that the HOB staff had created specifically for Hanson fans.  Thrilling, I know.  

But, I wouldn’t have it any other way, and since we were in air conditioning and had easy access to bathrooms, food, and starbucks, the day went by in a flash.  The venue was pretty organized, and the lines were handled well (thanks in part to Stephanie, who I may or may not have deemed “line-mom”, HANSON YOU SHOULD HIRE HER).  We got into the venue (right in front of Isaac’s microphone, as usual), and were surrounded by people who had all made the same trek as us.  

The first...third?  Half?  Of the show was pretty emotional for me.  I was just so thankful for everything and how a little over a year ago I was in a fandom lull and for whatever reason, one night I was home alone and decided to re-watch Strong Enough To Break and there I was, going full speed ahead back into the life of a fully fledged fangirl.  This year has been insane in all the best ways, and I have this band to thank for that.  I cried during Go and SETB (no surprise there) and then straight up BAWLED during Wildflowers.  I was emotional, sure, but I was also really exhausted, and I always cry when I’m tired.  So...yeah.  

And then...the show got real silly.  As they were setting up for On and On, all three of them were whispering and suddenly, everyone but Zac was leaving the stage.  Taylor barely got “Zac is going to sing a song for you” before bolting offstage, and the rest of the band followed suit.  Zac was left alone at his center microphone, looking bewildered, but playing the intro to On and On and realizing that he was going to have to do the little Hnet speech himself.  There were clearly a lot of newbies and non-members in the audience, so Zac was having trouble getting people to participate in the call and response.  Honestly, I’m not even sure he “taught” it to us before launching into the song (I was also very distracted, laughing at the absurdity of the situation).  He said “I can’t hear you guys!”, and the group of us who had been there for the entire week decided to make up for everyone else not singing.  We basically just started screaming  the response, and dying laughing over it  (I distinctly remember sinking to the ground in laughter, and someone pulling me back up).  Hey, he asked!  No one else was singing!  We couldn't leave him hanging!

The band came back and I Was Born was great but...the lights went out and I guess distracted Taylor because he repeated a part of the second verse?  The night was spiralling into a very silly concert, but I don’t think anyone minded.  I didn’t, that’s for sure.  In fact, this is the exact reason why I love live music.  Ya gotta roll with the punches, and take everyone along for the ride.

By this point, I felt like the guys were playing the show for the 20-ish of us who were going absolutely insane in the first few rows.  The crowd as a whole was very chatty, and not super responsive, so they started making silly faces at us, pointing at us...Taylor came over to our little crew more than usual, and of course we went absolutely bonkers every time.  It was so...FUN.  It felt like a celebration.  

The encore was Man from Milwaukee and I’m pretty sure we all lost our damn minds.  

While San Diego was the best show of the tour, hands down...this actually might have been my favorite.  It was very special (and hilarious) in a totally different way.  It felt like a party, and even though I was completely exhausted at the end of it, I didn’t want to go home.  

But, I never really do.  

Peace, Love, and Zac solo shows,

KT

On the Road - Los Angeles

In an effort not to make every post just a retelling of the day waiting in line and the concert that followed, I think it’s time to talk about the nitty gritty of following a band.  First of all, you’re gonna be tired.  It’s a thing that’s going to happen.  You’re not going to get enough sleep.  You’re going to get up early to line up, stay up late waiting for the guys by the bus or going to the after party, and spend a few nights driving as far as you can before you actually have to lay down.  You can be as prepared and scheduled as you want, but you’re still going to be tired and not get enough sleep.  That’s just....how it is.  Before lining up for the LA show I got probably three solid hours.  Three.  I’m not proud, but here we are!  

Luckily, the line in LA was pretty pleasant.  The spots Lorraine and I procured were in the shade for all but an hour of the day, and we were next to a door that sometimes blew out some air conditioning.  I also have learned that it’s totally acceptable to spend the better part of the day in comfy clothes (ahem...pajamas) and change later, and I have perfected the art of sleeping in a camper chair.  This was the second show, so there were plenty of friendly nods and smiles of recognition when we took our spots.  Hey, we’re all here again!  Cool!  

I was able to take a nap in the van during the day which definitely helped my mental and physical state, but I was still pretty wiped from the day we had in Anaheim.  When we finally got ready to go into the venue, a wave of exhaustion hit me.  When we actually got into the theatre, it was hot and stuffy and I definitely had a moment where I thought I was not going to make it through the show.  I sat on the floor, since we had an hour until the show started and took a few deep breaths.  This was probably the low point of the follow for me…

But then the show started….

I don’t know how we do it, every single time, but somehow the music is magic.  Already Home began and I felt my heart pumping and the smile returning to my face and it was like a jolt of energy coursed through my body.  I was definitely still tired, and by the end I could feel myself crashing (I could barely jump for If Only!!  The blasphemy!!), but the show itself was incredible.

The night was full of surprises. Some highlights!

• Well first of all, a humongous disco ball was lowered during Where’s the Love.  I’m talking HUGE.  Zac’s face when he saw it right above him was priceless.

• This Time Around was a definitely a high point.  It was just so powerful and resonated with me this….time around.  
• They played Runaway Run which will ALWAYS be one of my favorites and will always give me the best kind of goosebumps.  I love it so much.
• Wildflowers again!!
• They brought Danny Hutton from Three Dog Night on stage to sing Never Been to Spain with them.  I’m pretty sure they were way more excited than anyone in the audience was (even though I was screaming pretty hard myself).  It’s so cool to see musicians you admire play and interact with musicians they clearly admire.  
• I actually DIDN’T cry during SETB.  So that was the biggest surprise of the night for me.
• I Was Born really is a high point for me every night, which is still crazy considering how long it took me to really warm up to the song.  I was so tired by this point and I was kind of crashing so I just stood still and listened to Taylor’s speech and smiled like an idiot.  I let it all kind of just wash over me, and that was exactly what I needed it to do.  
• I did in fact cry....during…...MmmBop???  I know, I know...out of all the songs in the entire Hanson catalogue.  MmmBop.  But let me explain!!  The ASL interpreter signed the chorus in a way I was definitely not expecting.  She made a heart with her hands and then signed “I love you” in rhythm with the music and it really choked me up!!  Because that’s what it’s all about, right?  Holding on to the ones we love, and making sure they know we love them and are there for them.  Because this moment is all we have!  

Oh yeah, and it was Zac's birthday!!!! 

And because this moment is all we have, sometimes it’s okay to only get three hours of sleep in order to go to a concert.  Sometimes it’s okay to take a nap in a van and spend the day on the sidewalk and talk to your best friend on the phone even though you sound like you’re completely delirious.  Sometimes it’s okay to make friends fast and hard and cling to them for a week, only to say goodbye when the stage lights go out and it’s time to go home.  It’s okay to go through the nitty gritty in order to do the things that make you feel the most alive.  

Peace, Love, and my first birthday on this planet,

KT

On The Road - Anaheim

Well it’s now November and my Autumn of Hanson is officially over.  I know a lot of you following along at home might think that I’m actually certifiable for following a band across the country and back, but I also know that I just had the absolute time of my life and I don’t regret a single moment, dollar, mile, hour I spent in line, or night that I literally slept in a van. The first show of my west coast follow along was Anaheim...so let’s get started, shall we?

My friend Lorraine and I had been planning this trip for months, and we quickly learned that there was a slew of fans with the same idea.  There was a whole group of us who were all following the band for the same cluster of shows.  For all of you who think I am the only insane person who does this, let me just say...following Hanson is not uncommon.  It’s actually a thing that...a lot of fans just do every tour.  By the end of the follow, I felt like I was at summer camp or something, because we literally spent the week with all these girls!  It was such a cool experience, and one that I will never forget.

We got to the venue around 7am and ended up being 21 and 22 in line (respectable, honestly).  I immediately loved the ladies around us in line, and we all fell into comfortable chatter quickly and effortlessly.  Right at the beginning of the day, a cop pulled up and asked what we were protesting, and we proudly exclaimed that we were just in line for a Hanson show. The whole week I kept making jokes about how I love line culture, but at the end of the day, they were not jokes!  I had so much fun that afternoon getting to know the girls around me and laughing and chatting.  Everyone was so chill and kind!  I also got a to see a bunch of friends from past shows, and people I have known for years on the internet, which is one of the best parts of Hanson concerts!

Lorraine and I travelled around SoCal in a campervan, and let me just say, this is the WAY TO DO IT.  Having the van at the venue in case we needed to take a nap, or make a snack, or change...a literal life saver.  I’m sure I could make it work in a regular car but like...the van was the way to go.  A serious game changer that made the days in line so pleasant!  After a whole day of chatting and laughing and waiting, we went in for the Member’s Only Event.  We were front row on Ike’s side which was AWESOME but we lost our front row spot because MOE’s are not organized and I just don’t think there is a right way to do it.  Not leaving after pictures doesn’t work...leaving after pictures doesn’t work...whatever.  But it was fine...being in the front for the MOE and getting pictures with the guys was great...okay on to the show!

Highlights from Anaheim, CA:

• When the show started and the guys started playing Already Home, I actually felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest.  I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.  Pure, unbridled joy.  I would have that feeling every time that song was played for the rest of the tour.
• They played Crazy Beautiful, which is one of my favorites (Underneath songs are the key to my heart, boys!).  I would get to hear it again during the follow, and it made me so happy.
• They sang Wildflowers which, silly me, I was afraid I would never hear live.  I heard it thrice.
• Taylor was very chatty during this show.  He just...he had a lot to say!  I get it!! I loved it!
• Strong Enough to Break (and Taylor’s speech beforehand) made me cry again, surprise, surprise.  That’s like...THE song for this tour I guess.  Whatever.  It makes me feel like I can actually do anything, so I’ll take it.  
• Penny, always.
• The last three songs are almost too much for my little body to handle (in the best way)!  I will always love If Only live...then pair that with Fired Up ---> In the City.  WOW they sure know how to end a show.  And it got better every single night!!  Gah!
• For the encore they did Finally It’s Christmas which made me stupid happy, then Lost Without Each Other finished us off (always a highlight for me).

I feel like I’m forgetting so much!  But most of it was feelings and glances and an overwhelming sense of belonging.  Even the three VERY drunk girls behind us couldn’t bring me down.  

After the show, the van once again proved its worth and we were able to cool down a little before the after party.  If I ever do another afterparty, I’ll try to organize it so it’s not on a day I line up early because I was pretty much completely wiped out by the time it started.  I still had fun because I got to dance around like an idiot with my friends and watch Taylor DJ and look happier than I’ve maybe ever seen him.  All in all, it was an awesome day, and the perfect start to this crazy, west-coast adventure.

On to LA…

Peace, Love, and No Tomatoes!!!!!

KT