Pop stars Hanson pull fan heartstrings with new symphony tour of Australia

The hysterical young girls who screamed at Hanson’s shows two decades ago are now buying tickets to see them perform with orchestras around Australia.

HANSON knows the power of teen fandom. The hysterical young girls who screamed at their shows two decades ago are now buying tickets to see them perform their songs with orchestras at the Sydney Opera House and theatres around Australia.

The String Theory project, which reinterprets their hits including MMMBop as orchestral pieces, was a bucket list dream for Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson.

It was an expensive and risky venture but one that proves those who fall in love with your music at 14 stay fans for life.

Zac, Taylor, and Issac Hanson bring their String Theory show to Australia. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“Musicians who really love music want to do a symphony show,” Isaac said ahead of their first Sydney concert on Monday.

“There are a lot of safer choices than the ones we’ve made; we love great pop music yet we’ve made a lot of anti-pop decisions about our career.

“There are no guarantees these things are going to work but thankfully this has been a successful tour.”

Hanson is one of those rare bands who have managed to convert teen hysteria into a career. MMMBop may have made them famous but what has kept them going through seven records made since 2000 has been their close bond with the fans.

Hanson have harnessed teen fandom into a lifelong bond with fans. Picture: Supplied.

They were one of the first artists to set up a direct-to-fans website and their own ISP, they stage their own festivals including one in Jamaica and brew their own craft beer called, naturally, MMMHops.

Unlike pundits who discount the power of the teen girl fanbase, Hanson have managed to harness it into a life long love affair.

“That time is when people are defining themselves and if they include you in that definition, it’s a strong bond to make regardless of who you go on to become,” Zac said.

During their stint in Melbourne to kick off the Australian leg of the world tour, the brothers also took time out to be fans themselves, checking out shows by Eminem, Rufus Wainwright and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Hanson even brew their own MMMHops beer now. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Taylor said going to concerts as a fan remind them of the experience from that side of the stage.

“I think it’s important as a performing artist to go and see shows as a fan it makes you realise we are all borrowing this superpower that is music,” he said.

“It’s like Green Lantern; you get to put the ring on and walk on stage. You know how good a show is when it is good.”

Hanson’s String Theory tour continues at the Sydney Opera House on March 4 and 5, Canberra Theatre on March 6, The Star, Gold Coast, March 8 and QPac, Brisbane on March 9.

Originally published as Pop stars Hanson pull fan heartstrings with new symphony tour of Australia