I apologise for the Hanson-heavy posts, but I've had this song in my head all day and it's managed to keep me smiling through a headache-inducing day at work. And that's gotta count for something, right?
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Day 258 - AHHH HANSON!!!
From Hanson's Australian tour announcement back in March, to receiving my ticket for the Melbourne show in the mail, to seeing their tour poster, to counting down the days till I see them, to them arriving in Australia, we're finally here. The day of Hanson's return to perform in Melbourne was finally here, after 7 long years. Today would be Hanson concert #4 for me, and nobody could stop me from smiling from ear to ear today!
But first, some food was in order before the show. Mamak had only just officially opened its doors yesterday with its first shop in Melbourne so we dropped by for a quick bite. True to their Sydney counterparts, they definitely have the best satay in town!
With a tummy full of roti, satay and fried chicken, I excitedly made my way to Palace Theatre and was faced by the biggest line I've ever witnessed outside Palace. The line snaked all the way down the alley next door onto another alleyway, and ended almost a whole block away. Now, there are fans who call themselves massive fans of a band, and there are dedicated Hanson fans who completely blow the former out of the water - they bring dedication and crazy to a whole new level yo. Like the fangirls who have been lining up for tonight's 8pm show since 7am. 7 IN THE FRIGGIN MORNING YO. And Hanson weren't coming on stage until 10:20pm.
I love concerts, and have always loved them. I love the vibe, the raw two-way energy that the band exuberates onto the crowd while feeding off the crowd's boundless enthusiasm, and the fact that most people are there for a good time. At a Hanson concert these are all omnipresent, but the minute the guys stepped out onto the stage, something magical takes over. All your troubles, your worries, your sore feet, your insecurities, whatever you were complaining about just minutes ago - they all dissipate into nothingness as you take in the incredible musicianship unfolding before you and let their music consume you. Hanson are such seasoned performers (this year marks the 20th year they've been making music), yet at tonight's show I felt like I was seeing old friends.
I've been a Hanson fan since the release of Middle of Nowhere (when MMMBop crashed onto our airwaves) in 1997 and have been following their progression avidly since. I can still remember reading a feature on them in a Smash Hits magazine (Smash Hits was the ultimate teeny bopper bible back in the day) before I had even heard MMMBop, and thinking to myself "Oh my god what am I doing with my life, this kid (ie. Zac) is just 11 and he already has a recording contract!".
I was instantly interested in hearing their music, as they were a real boyband and resonated with my age. So I spent RM39.90 (about AUD20, which was a lot of money to a 13 year old back then) to purchase the Middle of Nowhere CD, and I suppose the rest is history. Through the course of my teenage years, Hanson and their music held my hand and was there for me when I felt like I didn't fit in (which was all the time), when I got made fun of for having a flat chest, when I couldn't understand why I couldn't be as good at Chinese as I was in English, and when I felt lonely after my 2 brothers had left for Melbourne.
I found solace in their albums, interviews and music videos, and developed great admiration for their zest and passion for life as well as their talent at harmonising beautifully and impressive instrument-playing abilities at such a young age. They also appeared to be genuinely nice and humble boys who were immensely grateful for all the fame MMMBop had suddenly bestowed upon them. And yeah okay I also thought Taylor was insanely hot. He is the epitome of pretty boys.
So tonight I'm taken on a musical journey of the last 15 years, clapping, singing word for word and dancing along to my old (hot) friends that I grew up with. That's the thing about Hanson concerts too - it's so easy to let loose, they're just unashamedly, downright FUN! It was an honour just to be in the same room as them, to be soaking up all the feel-good vibes.
I'm somewhere in this crowd, losing my mind!
Tonight's almost two-hour set was phenomenal, and when they started the first few guitar chords of the song that launched them into household names, to quote The Au Review, "To say the crowd went APESHIT would be a massive understatement. I don’t think I’ve ever heard such a loud sing-along, it was electrifying. As for the 3 brothers, tonight’s rendition definitely wasn’t as poppy and squeaky clean as it was 15 years ago, but my lord, it was still amazing."
After the encore of If Only and much on-the-spot jumping that Taylor encouraged, to end the show Ike and Taylor jumped off the drums platform while Zac did a rock 'n roll backflip off his drumkit! They lied on their backs onstage for a few good seconds, revelling in the roaring crowd's screaming, clapping and cheering.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT when bands do the old-fashioned bow at the end of their set, instead of simply waving and walking off stage. To me that speaks volumes about their professionalism and appreciation for their fans as well as their craft.
Shortly after this shot (snapped right after the 3 boys themselves took a group bow), they jumped (suicidally) off the stage into the paparazzi pit and the crowd of screaming girls surged forward a few good metres like a tsunami! What an AMAZING, high-energy show!
Now, I'vestalked Hanson long enough trawled through enough Hanson forums and spoken to enough fangirls over the years to know that Hanson are known to spend a bit of time meeting fans and signing stuff after their shows if they're not overly exhausted, because they're nice like that. But for the last 3 concerts, for some bizarre reason I've always waited at the wrong goddamn door. Every damn time.
But tonight I was finally at the right door!!! There was so much going on - security screaming at fangirls to stay off the road, drunk fangirls throwing up to my left and right, screaming fangirls being told to shut up and to calm the fuck down, standing around waiting in the cold, Hanson emerging and being blinded by flashes, not even seeing Taylor or Ike initially and thinking that Zac was the only one that had come out to meet us, finally spotting Taylor and Ike, then realising that Taylor was wearing a Hanson hoodie (Zac was wearing a Hanson designed tshirt), girls were screaming, girls were crying, it was just a whirlwind of the general craziness that surrounds Hanson really.
Whatever happy pills Zac was taking, I want some. He didn't stop smiling on or off stage!
And Taylor. Oh sweet Taylor. Always surrounded by girls. (This photo appeared on Our Side of Paradise with the caption "He's got more pussy around him than a cat shelter..." LOL) But why do these girls look so glum and unhappy?!? They should be going weak at the knees just to be standing within the radius of Taylor's radiating aura.
The boys didn't stay past 5 minutes, granted they were knackered and having crying girls screaming in your face when you're tired probably isn't very fun. They graciously thanked the crowd for coming to see them and apologised for not being to stay. Then they got into their van and vanished down the street.
With my head still spinning and feeling disconnected from reality, I walked home with a skip in my step and a massive, stupid goofy smile on my face, I called Brett excitedly at 1:30am and shrieked something like "OHMYGODIJUSTSAWTHEMISAWTHEMUPCLOSEOHMYGODEHEHEEHEE" into the phone. As soon as I got home, I packed my travel bag while smiling the whole time. Bring on round 2!
Setlist:
But first, some food was in order before the show. Mamak had only just officially opened its doors yesterday with its first shop in Melbourne so we dropped by for a quick bite. True to their Sydney counterparts, they definitely have the best satay in town!
With a tummy full of roti, satay and fried chicken, I excitedly made my way to Palace Theatre and was faced by the biggest line I've ever witnessed outside Palace. The line snaked all the way down the alley next door onto another alleyway, and ended almost a whole block away. Now, there are fans who call themselves massive fans of a band, and there are dedicated Hanson fans who completely blow the former out of the water - they bring dedication and crazy to a whole new level yo. Like the fangirls who have been lining up for tonight's 8pm show since 7am. 7 IN THE FRIGGIN MORNING YO. And Hanson weren't coming on stage until 10:20pm.
I love concerts, and have always loved them. I love the vibe, the raw two-way energy that the band exuberates onto the crowd while feeding off the crowd's boundless enthusiasm, and the fact that most people are there for a good time. At a Hanson concert these are all omnipresent, but the minute the guys stepped out onto the stage, something magical takes over. All your troubles, your worries, your sore feet, your insecurities, whatever you were complaining about just minutes ago - they all dissipate into nothingness as you take in the incredible musicianship unfolding before you and let their music consume you. Hanson are such seasoned performers (this year marks the 20th year they've been making music), yet at tonight's show I felt like I was seeing old friends.
I've been a Hanson fan since the release of Middle of Nowhere (when MMMBop crashed onto our airwaves) in 1997 and have been following their progression avidly since. I can still remember reading a feature on them in a Smash Hits magazine (Smash Hits was the ultimate teeny bopper bible back in the day) before I had even heard MMMBop, and thinking to myself "Oh my god what am I doing with my life, this kid (ie. Zac) is just 11 and he already has a recording contract!".
I was instantly interested in hearing their music, as they were a real boyband and resonated with my age. So I spent RM39.90 (about AUD20, which was a lot of money to a 13 year old back then) to purchase the Middle of Nowhere CD, and I suppose the rest is history. Through the course of my teenage years, Hanson and their music held my hand and was there for me when I felt like I didn't fit in (which was all the time), when I got made fun of for having a flat chest, when I couldn't understand why I couldn't be as good at Chinese as I was in English, and when I felt lonely after my 2 brothers had left for Melbourne.
I found solace in their albums, interviews and music videos, and developed great admiration for their zest and passion for life as well as their talent at harmonising beautifully and impressive instrument-playing abilities at such a young age. They also appeared to be genuinely nice and humble boys who were immensely grateful for all the fame MMMBop had suddenly bestowed upon them. And yeah okay I also thought Taylor was insanely hot. He is the epitome of pretty boys.
So tonight I'm taken on a musical journey of the last 15 years, clapping, singing word for word and dancing along to my old (hot) friends that I grew up with. That's the thing about Hanson concerts too - it's so easy to let loose, they're just unashamedly, downright FUN! It was an honour just to be in the same room as them, to be soaking up all the feel-good vibes.
I'm somewhere in this crowd, losing my mind!
Tonight's almost two-hour set was phenomenal, and when they started the first few guitar chords of the song that launched them into household names, to quote The Au Review, "To say the crowd went APESHIT would be a massive understatement. I don’t think I’ve ever heard such a loud sing-along, it was electrifying. As for the 3 brothers, tonight’s rendition definitely wasn’t as poppy and squeaky clean as it was 15 years ago, but my lord, it was still amazing."
After the encore of If Only and much on-the-spot jumping that Taylor encouraged, to end the show Ike and Taylor jumped off the drums platform while Zac did a rock 'n roll backflip off his drumkit! They lied on their backs onstage for a few good seconds, revelling in the roaring crowd's screaming, clapping and cheering.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT when bands do the old-fashioned bow at the end of their set, instead of simply waving and walking off stage. To me that speaks volumes about their professionalism and appreciation for their fans as well as their craft.
Shortly after this shot (snapped right after the 3 boys themselves took a group bow), they jumped (suicidally) off the stage into the paparazzi pit and the crowd of screaming girls surged forward a few good metres like a tsunami! What an AMAZING, high-energy show!
Now, I've
But tonight I was finally at the right door!!! There was so much going on - security screaming at fangirls to stay off the road, drunk fangirls throwing up to my left and right, screaming fangirls being told to shut up and to calm the fuck down, standing around waiting in the cold, Hanson emerging and being blinded by flashes, not even seeing Taylor or Ike initially and thinking that Zac was the only one that had come out to meet us, finally spotting Taylor and Ike, then realising that Taylor was wearing a Hanson hoodie (Zac was wearing a Hanson designed tshirt), girls were screaming, girls were crying, it was just a whirlwind of the general craziness that surrounds Hanson really.
Whatever happy pills Zac was taking, I want some. He didn't stop smiling on or off stage!
And Taylor. Oh sweet Taylor. Always surrounded by girls. (This photo appeared on Our Side of Paradise with the caption "He's got more pussy around him than a cat shelter..." LOL) But why do these girls look so glum and unhappy?!? They should be going weak at the knees just to be standing within the radius of Taylor's radiating aura.
The boys didn't stay past 5 minutes, granted they were knackered and having crying girls screaming in your face when you're tired probably isn't very fun. They graciously thanked the crowd for coming to see them and apologised for not being to stay. Then they got into their van and vanished down the street.
With my head still spinning and feeling disconnected from reality, I walked home with a skip in my step and a massive, stupid goofy smile on my face, I called Brett excitedly at 1:30am and shrieked something like "OHMYGODIJUSTSAWTHEMISAWTHEMUPCLOSEOHMYGODEHEHEEHEE" into the phone. As soon as I got home, I packed my travel bag while smiling the whole time. Bring on round 2!
Setlist:
- Waiting For This
- Where's the Love
- Thinking 'Bout Somethin'
- And I Waited
- A Minute Without You
- Been There Before
- Crazy Beautiful
- Strong Enough to Break (acoustic)
- Madeline (acoustic)
- Wish That I Was There (acoustic)
- With You in Your Dreams
- Oh! Darling (Beatles cover)
- Can't Stop
- Thinking of You
- This Time Around
- Penny and Me
- Give a Little
- MMMBop
- Hey
- Lost Without Each Other
- If Only
Encore:
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Day 257 - Ingrid Michaelson
Tonight we piled into Corner Hotel, got our wrists stamped on our way in (I think it's by far the most interesting stamp I've ever seen)
and were enthralled by Ingrid Michaelson's sweet vocals as well as her self-depreciating humour and hilarious tales.
She is so adorably quirky - there's no other way to I could possibly describe her. She probably spent equal amounts of time sharing with us anecdotes and stories behind each song to stand-up comedian qualities as she did singing. She was such a joy to listen to - she gushed about her love for the tv show Lost ("If you haven't seen Lost I'm very jealous, because you can still see it for the first time!"), how having a cosy snuggly moment with a stranger in a puffy coat on the train followed by a traumatic experience of schoolgirls knocking her "life essence" (aka massive cup of strong tea) out of her hands and into the snow inspired her to write Blood Brothers (she also quipped, "Most people in this world are strangers. Wow that's very wise, I just made that up!"), horrific baby-eating mother hamsters with male names, and even how she hated her most popular song The Way I Am as it was written during a lonely time in her life and was more of a wish but happy couples would always tell her it was their wedding song (however now that she's happily married, she sees the song in a different light).
What I didn't know was that her support act, Greg Laswell, was also her husband! He joined her onstage for a duet for The Light in Me.
For You And I, a random guy named Elliot was plucked from the crowd to provide the male vocals (Ingrid explained that her husband was asleep backstage!).
And as Ingrid played us her stunning rendition of Can't Help Falling in Love on the piano to end her set, it was clear that the crowd along with I had fallen in love with her.
Setlist:
and were enthralled by Ingrid Michaelson's sweet vocals as well as her self-depreciating humour and hilarious tales.
She is so adorably quirky - there's no other way to I could possibly describe her. She probably spent equal amounts of time sharing with us anecdotes and stories behind each song to stand-up comedian qualities as she did singing. She was such a joy to listen to - she gushed about her love for the tv show Lost ("If you haven't seen Lost I'm very jealous, because you can still see it for the first time!"), how having a cosy snuggly moment with a stranger in a puffy coat on the train followed by a traumatic experience of schoolgirls knocking her "life essence" (aka massive cup of strong tea) out of her hands and into the snow inspired her to write Blood Brothers (she also quipped, "Most people in this world are strangers. Wow that's very wise, I just made that up!"), horrific baby-eating mother hamsters with male names, and even how she hated her most popular song The Way I Am as it was written during a lonely time in her life and was more of a wish but happy couples would always tell her it was their wedding song (however now that she's happily married, she sees the song in a different light).
What I didn't know was that her support act, Greg Laswell, was also her husband! He joined her onstage for a duet for The Light in Me.
For You And I, a random guy named Elliot was plucked from the crowd to provide the male vocals (Ingrid explained that her husband was asleep backstage!).
And as Ingrid played us her stunning rendition of Can't Help Falling in Love on the piano to end her set, it was clear that the crowd along with I had fallen in love with her.
Setlist:
- Soldier
- Parachute
- Corner of Your Heart
- Do It Now
- Blood Brothers
- Ghost
- The Light in Me (with Greg Laswell)
- The Way I Am
- Skinny Love (Bon Iver cover)
- Maybe
- This is War
- The Chain
- You And I
- Be OK
- Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley cover)
Encore:
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Day 255 - Hanson are in Australia and weird looking Snowflake
- They're here they're here! They're on Australian soil!!!
- I've been battling with a very uncomfortable bloated tummy for half of today, and while I sipped on some peppermint tea, I almost choked from the crazy giggles when I saw Snowflake looking like.... this.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Day 251 - 1 more week to Hanson!
I was relaxing at home with Snowflake after a long week at work...
...when it suddenly dawned on me that I'll be seeing Hanson this time next week!!!
It's been 7 long years since Hanson's last Australian tour. I cranked up some Hanson tunes and couldn't help but have the biggest, silliest perma-smile as I thought about Hanson's Thinking 'Bout Somethin' music video (what's better than singing Hansons? DANCING HANSONS!) that I absolutely love. The dancing, the homage to The Blues Brothers, Ike's beard, Taylor's Ray Charles impersonation, ALL THAT DANCING, the goofiness, the bloody infectious song itself, Weird Al Yankovic's cameo appearance and hilarious over-the-top tambourine playing... it's just impossible to watch this without smiling through the entire thing!
Excuse me while I revert back to my 13-year-old self!
...when it suddenly dawned on me that I'll be seeing Hanson this time next week!!!
It's been 7 long years since Hanson's last Australian tour. I cranked up some Hanson tunes and couldn't help but have the biggest, silliest perma-smile as I thought about Hanson's Thinking 'Bout Somethin' music video (what's better than singing Hansons? DANCING HANSONS!) that I absolutely love. The dancing, the homage to The Blues Brothers, Ike's beard, Taylor's Ray Charles impersonation, ALL THAT DANCING, the goofiness, the bloody infectious song itself, Weird Al Yankovic's cameo appearance and hilarious over-the-top tambourine playing... it's just impossible to watch this without smiling through the entire thing!
Excuse me while I revert back to my 13-year-old self!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Day 196 - Flight of the Conchords
Flight of the Conchords were absolutely INCREDIBLE tonight! Jemaine and Bret were amazing live, such comedic gold!
Their inimitable rapport and banter formed from making music together for 15 years was so awesome to witness...
I was laughing myself to tears from start to finish (they started by wearing robotic headgear and ended with Jemaine jumping off the stage and grinding a lady in the front row while singing Sugalumps)!
There were even hilarious costume changes..
And having Arj Barker open for them and join them for 2 songs onstage was a great surprise!
They had quirky merchandise too, like this novel tea towel!
These videos weren't from tonight, but they're some of my favourites from tonight:
Setlist:
Their inimitable rapport and banter formed from making music together for 15 years was so awesome to witness...
I was laughing myself to tears from start to finish (they started by wearing robotic headgear and ended with Jemaine jumping off the stage and grinding a lady in the front row while singing Sugalumps)!
There were even hilarious costume changes..
And having Arj Barker open for them and join them for 2 songs onstage was a great surprise!
They had quirky merchandise too, like this novel tea towel!
These videos weren't from tonight, but they're some of my favourites from tonight:
Setlist:
- Too Many Dicks on the Dance Floor (with Arj Barker)
- Robots
- The Most Beautiful Girl (in the Room)
- Fuck on the Ceiling
- Jenny
- Think About It
- Hurt Feelings
- Bus Driver's Song
- The Summer of 1353
- Inner City Pressure
- Song for Epileptic Dogs
- I'm Not Crying
- Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros
- Carol Brown
- Business Time
- Bowie
- Demon Woman
- Back On The Road
- We're Both in Love With a Sexy Lady
- Sugalumps (with Arj Barker)
Encore:
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Day 171 - Japanese BBQ at Takumi, bad puns and Hanson poster
I love...
...Japanese BBQ at Takumi. Yum!
...really bad puns. They make me giggle uncontrollably. Often in public.
...THE FACT THAT HANSON IS COMING!!!
...Japanese BBQ at Takumi. Yum!
...really bad puns. They make me giggle uncontrollably. Often in public.
...THE FACT THAT HANSON IS COMING!!!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Day 167 - Rilakkuma wearing lipstick, The Very Hungry Caterpillar clothes, pretty lace, Harvest Festival lineup and hide and seek with Snowflake
Here are a few things that put a smile on my face today:
- Kerri accidentally knocked over my little Rilakkuma dashboard bobble spring thingamajig and it had a great tumble onto my desk. She picked it up and kissed it better. Now little Rilakkuma has lipstick all over its head!
- I didn't know The Very Hungry Caterpillar had its own line of clothing, so cute!
- The exquisite lace on this Camilla and Marc dress.
- I'm wearing my excited pants because the official lineup for this year's Harvest Festival has been announced and its INCREDIBLE! SIGUR ROS! BECK! CAKE! GRIZZLY BEAR! BEN FOLDS FIVE! THE DANDY WARHOLS!
- Reason #65 why I love Snowflake - she plays hide and seek with me!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Day 156 - Hanson Fan Club pack is finally here
Look at what came in the mail today! My Hanson Fan Club card and members only EP!!
I was a member waaay back in the day when the fan club was called MOE (Middle of Everywhere), and when they used to send out MOE magazines (I remember pouring over every single page, completely mesmerised, and lovingly wrapping all the magazines in plastic sheets to protect them).
It's daggy and uncool, I know, but I'm still a proud Hanson fangirl after all these years!
I was a member waaay back in the day when the fan club was called MOE (Middle of Everywhere), and when they used to send out MOE magazines (I remember pouring over every single page, completely mesmerised, and lovingly wrapping all the magazines in plastic sheets to protect them).
It's daggy and uncool, I know, but I'm still a proud Hanson fangirl after all these years!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Day 150 - La Petite Creperie and Temper Trap
There are so many reasons why I love Melbourne, today I'm thankful for 2 of them:
- Fascinating new things continuously pop up in Melbourne, be it an art installation, a temporary dining spot like Greenhouse by Joost, tapas style eateries.. it seems almost every week there's another new cafe boasting of great coffee and brunch, or an opening of another fancy restaurant to further saturate Melbourne's dining scene.
Now and then, a gem comes along. This time it's La Petite Creperie, which has appeared in the form of an unassuming newspaper stand.
Inside the newspaper stand holds this adorable setup of a cashier and the tiniest one-man kitchen. It smells incredible - I love how it sends wafts of sugar, butter and flour down Swanston St! It's staffed by French staff with cute accents (who wish you bon appétit when they hand you your crepe) and brings a touch of Paris to Melbourne's streets. That's what I love about Melbourne - its quirky enough to have something like a little newspaper stand transformed into a crepe serving booth.
Choices of toppings are plentiful (and affordable. I almost got 2).
Halfway through gleefully gobbling down my scrumptious salted caramel crepe while skipping along the sidewalk (err tasty food makes me a bit delirious), I had started planning my next visit. Freshly made warm crepe with steaming yummy filling on a cold night = omgwow big win.
Opening hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 10pm
Friday: 8am - 11pm
Saturday: 10am - 11pm
Sunday: 10am - 10pm
- A lot of great bands play in Melbourne. Today, The Temper Trap performed the first of their 2 sold-out shows in their hometown. What a homecoming they received, after touring extensively overseas for almost 2 years!
- London's Burning
- Need Your Love
- Down River
- Love Lost
- Miracle
- Rabbit Hole
- Fader
- This Isn't Happiness
- Trembling Hands
- Dreams
- Science of Fear
- Resurrection
- Drum Song
- Soldier On
- I'm Gonna Wait
- Sweet Disposition
By the time they were halfway through their first song, it was easy to appreciate how Dougy's alluring voice launched this homegrown band into an international sensation. And as they eased into the second line of Love Lost, I was already bawling.
They also had a pineapple shaker which I found very cute! The band delivered old favourites from Conditions and a few new tracks from their recently launched self-titled second album...
...and at the end of the night, by the time they started playing the intro notes of Sweet Temptation, which was predictably left as the final song, the crowd seemed to explode with wild excitement. The extravagant, seizure-inducing theatrical lights, the booming chorus, choppy crowd and deafening sing-along was the perfect high-energy ending to a great show.
Setlist:
Encore:
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