This was a totally sold out concert. So much so that another had to be scheduled. We did not go early as we did for the other two we attended (Washington and Hershey). We arrived at the Core State Center around 5:45, and I was amazed at how few people were there at that time. By 6:30 though the lines were long and orderly..until it began to pour rain and everyone had to push up to get under the overhang. Wisely, the doors were opened a half hour early. As we walked into the arena we were awed at the placement of the stage and the seats in front. (At Hershey, the "floor" seating covered the width of a football field and was huge, as was the stage) Here it was the narrow width of an ice hockey floor..we had seats 6-12 in row 9, (Ike-side) and seat 12 was the aisle seat near the center! I think we were no more than 30 feet from the stage. We saw the "roadie" we had met in Hershey. He came over and spoke with us (remembered us!), and we found out his name is Romeo. (do I want to believe him?) Everything went as before.

Admiral Twin came on at 8 and played till 8:30. We appreciated them much more this time, we could see what they look like, as well as hear the music. They wore their dark suits (I really don't think they all wore black), and each wore a different colored shirt. Very nice. After their set their amps etc. were cleared off the stage and the gray curtain was dropped so that the Albertane set could be brought on. During this time Hanson sightings were being made at one of the entrances to the arena. We did see what appeared to be Ike, Taylor and Zac at various times against the black backdrop over that door, silhouetted against the light as they returned to the backstage area.

At 8:55 the flashlights appeared behind the curtain, the girls in the side seats (who could see behind it) began screaming, and then we heard the opening chords of "Gimme Some Lovin" and THE CURTAIN DROPPED!! There were Ike, Zac and Taylor right near the front of the stage. AWESOME. We could see all of Ike's and Taylor's facial expressions, and really see Ike's hands on the guitar. Zac was hidden behind the drums, so we only saw him when he came out to spray water, or to give out his drumsticks. This was the concert we had wanted to attend all summer. First, Washinton was the concert where we heard Hanson, then Hershey was the concert where we heard them and could see them all on the stage at the same time. THEN this concert where we not only heard Hanson, but could only look at one or two of the boys at the same time because we were so close that our vision could take in no more at the same time!!!

Ike wore a black t-shirt under a olive green short sleeved shirt (he later changed his shirt to in irridescent maroon job), and what appeared to be silver leather pants! Boy, does he like flash, or what? Taylor wore a gray t-shirt under a blue shirt, black pants and Airwalks. Zac was in a red shirt (can't remember more!) This time they did both "More Than Anything" and "Ever Lonely"; they played "Sunshine Of Your Love" which they said they had performed for the first time in Hershey (I guess they'll keep it in..it's GREAT..very hard driving..after all it was by Cream-Ginger Baker on drums and Eric Clapton!) Super drums for Zac. They played it in the third set, not during 3CG like in Hershey. Ike sings mostly on that, although he and Taylor sing together on a lot of the songs we heard, it just depends on whose voice is carrying best. No "Money" this time, but they sang "Sometimes". So they are varying their shows and you just don't know which songs (other than the BIG ones) you'll hear. There were some glitches in the show. I think Ike was having problems with his guitar in the beginning, then once he was handed the wrong guitar for the song that was going to be done, so there was a delay while he switched (Taylor talked, Zac waved the electric drumsticks). For "Stories" Ike places something on the fret of his acoustic to change the tone, then when they went to play "Soldier" he forgot to take it off, so they had to start it over. (What a sweet smile Ike had when he fixed it, sort of sheepish-"Oops"). I sort of got the feeling he was preoccupied. Ike is so serious in his playing, a lot of intense concentration . Taylor was wonderful, jumping up and down and thoroughly enjoying himself. The beach balls were there, and several landed on the stage which Ike kicked back in the audience a few times. He didn't keep this up, though, and as more came on to the stage he moved them back behind Zac's drums. Ike did do his slide, but I missed it again, guess I was watching Taylor at that time. In the third set their bassist had his amp too loud and the sound of it drowned out their singing somewhat, I didn't recognize the beginning of "Look At You" which is one of my favorites.

The end came all too soon with "Man From Milwaukee", and they left...... of course we got them back out for an encore. They sang "Speechless' and "Summertime Blues" with Ike moving to keyboard while Taylor handled the mike to the crowd's singing. The super shooters came out, Zac threw out a disc of some kind and gave away his drumsticks, and Taylor shook hand with some of the girls in the front. He jumped down off the stage as well. Ike threw out his pics (of course, the 'sign' girls had their signs up all this time! GRRR). Then they did the a cappella of "Weird" and again, something new was added...They joined hands and bowed to the crowd. And then they were really gone. Now we must wait till the video comes out so that we can live this over and over again. I hope this is still fun for them. I think these last few weeks are taking their toll. My thoughts are that they are doing the Northeast so that between shows they can run up to NY to work on the video to get it out asap, they seemed a little tired and stressed to me. (Daughter Beth disagrees) I know they were there (NY) before Hershey. Anyone else who has seen one of these last concerts feel the same? I've decided that MY dream is to see, and hear, Hanson in concert where there is no screaming. Adults only, maybe???? ! Till next year's tour.....