Most people are skeptical when it comes to Hanson. The constant jokes about their hair, their gender, their bubblegum pop ditty, “MMMbop,” are fading with the onset of critical acclaim. Saturday, September 29, at House of Blues, Isaac, Taylor, and Zac Hanson proved they can still sell-out shows and bring their performance to the precipice of passion on The Walk Tour.
Not only has the band’s sound evolved, but so have their efforts in the HIV/AIDS pandemic and poverty in Africa. The band released, “Great Divide” on iTunes to benefit AIDS research. All the proceeds from the single go to the Perinatal HIV Research Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa.
In an effort to raise awareness of poverty in Africa, Hanson has teamed up with TOMS Shoes. This California-based company donates a pair to shoes to a child in Africa for every pair bought. Each tour stop, Hanson walks a mile barefoot with their fans to promote the idea that we can all do something small to help. Taylor Hanson told the crowd “Chicago takes the cake” for most walkers. The walk was so big the Chicago Police Department had to monitor the crowd.
Hours later, Hanson took the stage and took control of the audience. The audience danced, jumped, and gyrated to the blues-heavy beats in songs like, “Been There Before,” “Georgia,” and classic Hanson songs like, “MMMbop,” “This Time Around” and “Penny and Me.” The band did a mini-acoustic set in the middle of their performance, which showed off their songwriting ability. With any acoustic set, it is difficult to hide mediocrity; Hanson rocked. Drummer Zac has finally found his voice as evidenced by a strong vocal lead on a cover of the Beatles’ “O! Darlin'” and “Running Man.” Isaac took the stage solo and played a haunting ballad called, “Being Me.”
The Walk Tour proves that Hanson is here to stay.