(Middle) Taylor Hanson lets his soul show through during a love song.
JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World

(Bottom) Cheisi Todriguez, 13, sits atop a friend's shoulders as she and friends wait for the beginning of Thursday's concert.
JOHN CLANTON / Tulsa World

The word "hype" didn't even begin to describe it.

Beach balls sailed through the air, people twirled rainbow-colored glow- sticks and a deafening chorus of "Hanson! Hanson!" reverberated so loudly that the floodlights nearly burst.

And that was before the band even took the stage.

But the 2,500 fans erupted into a sonic power surge of squeals and cheers when the brothers -- Isaac, Taylor and Zac -- launched into "You Never Know," kicking off their rousing hometown show at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

The intensity only built from there, as a cadre of worshipers and chaperones clapped, bounced and sang along to live performances of songs culled mostly from the band's debut album "Middle of Nowhere" and the new album "This Time Around."

The simple stage worked well for the band, who -- backed only by a bassist, an extra guitarist and someone working the keyboards -- displayed a barrage of musicianship matched only by their mass appeal.

Guitarist Isaac served up tasteful, spot-on solos, and Zac muscled his drum kit with such ferocious precision that it wouldn't be surprising if Pearl Jam came calling around tour time.

But it was Taylor who stole the show. Looking positively "rock star" in leather pants, a black shirt and a chain wallet, he worked the crowd like a sea soned pro when he wasn't belting out soulful vocals and melodic keyboard motifs.

After delivering a rousing introductory set highlighted by the gentle "Love Song" and the funk-edged rave up "Thinking of You," the backing band left and the brothers went solo.

With little more than a trap kit, a keyboard, an acoustic guitar and their trademark harmonies, the trio offered flawless, lo-fi renditions of "Stories," "A Song to Sing" and the wistful "Lucy."

The Hansons returned in full-band regalia for the sing-along favorite "Can't Always Get What You Want," and later offered an inspired -- if not slightly misplaced -- version of Janis Joplin's "Piece of my Heart" that seemed aimed directly at the parents in the crowd.

Not that the kids minded -- the brothers could have done an avant-garde rendition of "Sailing" by Christopher Cross and the room still would have exploded with applause.

But for the most part, Hanson delivered the goods. And as the show closed and squadrons of starry-eyed attendees went home, probably the only person who felt jilted was one girl in the lower balcony who kept calling for Taylor to take off his shirt.

Oh well. Maybe next time around.

Lucas Oswalt, World staff writer, can be reached at 581-8369 or via e-mail at lucas.oswalt@tulsaworld.com.