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Jason's Wilkes Barre, PA Review
September 18, 2000

Ok, here goes. Sometime toward the end of August, I first found out that Hanson was going to perform at the FM Kirby Center on September 18, 2000. When I read that, I actually [yes, I admit it] screamed. Now, you may think it odd that a 21 y.o. MALE fanson screams, but rest assured, I am not a "teenie-bopper". OK? So I screamed. So what?

Anyway, I think I had just gotten MOE 9 the week or so before, and in it there was that 800-number to call for preferred seating, right? So, I called and left my name and telephone number [on a Thursday].

On Sunday evening, they called back. I gave the woman my credit card number [which was required], and then she asked me if I wanted two [for me and Amy] "meet and greet" passes! I almost flipped. I always thought it would be so cool to meet Hanson, but I never thought it would happen. Anyway, I said yes [who in their right mind wouldn't?], and she said I could pick up the tickets and passes the day of the concert.

The next day, on Monday, I called some hotels in Wilkes Barre, because Amy and I decided it would be easier just to stay overnight, then drive the 2 1/2 hours home the next day.

Ok, fast forward to September 18, day of concert. When we got to our hotel, the Best Western Genetti, we discovered that it was DIRECTLY BEHIND the Kirby Center, where Hanson was going to perform! Our room even overlooked the rear entrance to the Kirby Center, where Hanson would arrive later that day.

Ok, fast forward, to 3 pm. Amy and I had walked to the ticket office and picked up the tix. I looked at our tix, then the seating chart, and from I thought I read on the tix we had at least the fifth row back from the stage! We didn't get the meet-and-greet passes [from here on known as MAG], because they weren't scheduled to arrive until 5:30! The MAG was scheduled to occur at 6 pm.

So, we walked to the rear of the building, and stood with the growing throng of fans already there. We chatted with a few fans, and made friends with Karen and Sam [hi, grls!].

Around 3:30 pm, two burgundy buses pulled up, and someone yelled that it was Hanson's tour buses! You could just feel the excitement buzzing in the air then.

A few minutes later, we [the crowd] were pleased to see that Walker got off the second bus! A few minutes passed, and then Zac, Taylor and Isaac got off the first bus!!! Shortly thereafter, so did Jessica, Mackenzie, and Avery [who was holding Zoe!]. We didn't see Diana anywhere, but surely she was there because of the baby.

After that excitement wore off [slightly!], Amy and I decided to wait out in the front of the Kirby Center. Let me just say that when you KNOW you are going to meet Hanson, time just creeps by like a snail.

Anyway, that had to have been the longest two hours of my life, waiting, and knowing I was finally going to meet Hanson!

FINALLY, when 6 pm rolled around, we proudly displayed our MAG passes on our chests, and were led to the lobby of the Kirby Center, along with a group of approximately 25 [?]. We stood in a line for nearly ten more minutes. Again, FINALLY [LOL], a man said that he was ready to lead us to the MAG, but only ten at a time! Fortunately, I was only second in line!

We followed the guy downstairs and stood, waiting for what seemed like forever, but was only about thirty seconds. A door opened, and out walked ITZ!

Zac walked right over to Amy and me and said hello, and shook our hands. Then he disappeared among the other eight people, and then Taylor came over and spoke to us, and shook our hands. I can't believe that I don't remember what he said!

Then Ike came over and shook our hands. Finally, Zac came back over and spoke to US! Amy mentioned that we had driven 2 1/2 hours to see the show, and he was very surprised that we had come so far. Then I told him that we had seen them once before in Hershey, PA on August 15, 1998, and he said he was glad we were able to come to another show!

Then some guy took our picture with a digital camera, because we were NOT allowed to use our own!!! A few days later, it was posted on hansonline. We also didn't have time to even get autographs, but at least now I can honestly say that I met them!

Then, as soon as it had started, the MAG was over. It was the SHORTEST five minutes of my life!

After we left the room, we bought a few souvenirs [I bought the TTA Tour book, a hanson keychain [the long one that goes around your neck, and a glow-stick].

Then, by this time, M2M [the opening act] had started. We walked into the concert hall [as we walked into this old, forgotten hall, LOL], found an usher, and asked if she would find our seats. It would have been impossible by ourselves!!! She led us up to the very front row, which left me totally in shock. I had managed, unbeknownst to me, to snag two FRONT ROW tickets!!! We were directly in front of Taylor for the entire show!

Now, I am going to give you the entire set list, which I wrote down as each song was sung [smart, LOL].

Look At You, Crosstown Traffic [by Jimi Hendrix], You Never Know, Where's the Love, Runaway Run, I Don't Know, Save Me, Smile, Can't Stop, Thinking of You, Piece of My Heart [by Janis Joplin]. ACOUSTIC SET: Lucy, The Weight [by The Band], A Song To Sing [with third verse from TTA insert], Sure About It, Love Song. NORMAL: Can't Always Get What You Want [by Rolling Stones], A Minute Without You, This Time Around, Hand in Hand, Speechless, If Only, MMMBop, In the City. ENCORE: Man From Milwaukee, I Want You To Want Me [by Cheap Trick].

The whole show was awesome, but of course any show is if it's in the front row. But this was a Hanson concert, so it was awesome anyway. I also had front row seats [by accident] to a Britney Spears concert, but that's a totally different story.

A few of my favorite moments from the show:

* After [i think] Love Song, Zac handed a little boy in the audience his drumsticks!!! The boy had been mimicking Zac, and Zac must have thought it was cute or something.

* Taylor played the DRUMS while Zac sang "I Want You To Want Me"!

* Just being in the front row, PERIOD!

* When Hanson, and the crowd, counted down in the middle of "If Only", the part of "One, two, three, YEAH!".

If you have made it this far without falling asleep, LOL, let me thank you for reading my review. I apologize for the length, but I wanted to make sure I covered everything. Let me just add that it was one of the best nights of my life: I got to finally meet ITZ! :-)

If you have any questions or comments about this review of September 18, 2000, please email Jason at extrabox_thoughtsforjem@hotmail.com

This page is in no way associated with Hanson or Island Records. All thoughts and writings are the sole property of me. Please email me with any comments or questions. Thank You.