Live Review: Hanson

If Hanson came to Australia in 1997, it's questionable whether or not tonight's crowd would have coped. The Hanson brothers weren't just an Avril Lavigne-style, tie-wearing tween fad; these were the boys we had raunchy dreams about that we wouldn't dare share.

Walking into the Palace, we note the crowd is predominately female. Only two males, not counting venue staff, are spotted on the way to the bathroom. Tonight is the second of two sold-out shows at this venue (the '90s are definitely back). When the boys take to the stage, the crowd bursts like a taut balloon into the highest piercing scream heard, ever. It's incredible! Boy band pandemonium is a reality and we're in the eye of the storm. Loving it.

Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson are now 31, 29 and 26 respectively. Taylor Hanson thrusts into his keyboard in tight, figure-hugging jeans, oozing the same charisma as his 12-year-old self. His voice is pitch-perfect during Where's The Love off their 1997 hit album Middle Of Nowhere. Taylor is a showman: he's jumping around energetically and flirting with the uncontrollable crowd. Zac Hanson habitually whips his hair back revealing those trademark dimples. Isaac Hanson puts on some sunglasses mid-chorus, for no apparent reason. The brothers now collectively have eight children and are noticeably sexed-up onstage.

In the second segment, the trio is up front (closer – excellent). The Hanson brothers, sharing a mic, sing an a cappella song they used to sing on a street corner in their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. They then “slow it down”, as Taylor instructs, leaving youngest brother Zac alone onstage. He confidently launches into ballad Use Me Up off 2010 record Shout It Out. Zac also sings lead vocals while playing drums, covering The Beatles classic Oh! Darling. MMMBop sees us rejoice with arms in the air, this poptastic track is exactly the same as the recording done some 16 years ago.

The encore song is a cover of Taylor Swift's current chart hit We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. It's a healthy dose of cheese, but we are washing it down with the night's drink of choice: Smirnoff Black Ice. Nostalgic smiles are contagious and worn by all. Upon leaving, this reviewer finds herself asking a question also pondered by her surly, ten-year-old self back in the day: What does MMMBop mean?