Hanson: NPR Music Holiday Tiny Desk Concert

Dec. 18, 2017 | Stephen Thompson -- We've been recording Tiny Desk concerts for nearly a decade, and in that time, a few artists have come back for encores - folks like Wilco, Chris Thile and the inspiration for the series, Laura Gibson. One band, The Oh Hellos, came back after a year to favor us with a holiday set. But we've never, until now, asked anyone to return later the same day.
Back in September, we brought in Hanson to play a set of old and new songs, in honor of a new career anthology called Middle of Everywhere. But, since Hanson has also just released a holiday album called Finally It's Christmas, Bob Boilen - our own right-jolly old elf - sprung on everyone the idea of taking an hour off between sets and bringing Ike, Taylor and Zac Hanson back for a wintery encore. Which means, as you'll see here, everything from frantic time-lapse set decoration to an intrusive snow machine.
As for the music itself, the Hanson brothers kicked off their second set of the day with a pair of rollicking originals before standing around a single mic for an a cappella mashup of "Joy To The World" and "Go Tell It On The Mountain." All three songs are from Finally It's Christmas, which Hanson released to roughly coincide with the 20th anniversary of its million-selling holiday favorite Snowed In. So sit back, pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa - or, if you prefer, boozy egg nog - and soak up a raucous and reverent Christmas party.
From everyone at the Tiny Desk, we hope you enjoy your holidays as much as our standing-room-only crowd enjoyed watching Zac and Taylor Hanson borrow a pair of the ugliest Christmas sweaters imaginable. (Yes, Virginia, that is a vomiting unicorn.)
SET LIST
"Finally It's Christmas"
"'Til New Years Night"
"Joy To The Mountain"
MUSICIANS
Isaac Hanson (vocals, guitar), Taylor Hanson (vocals, piano), Zac Hanson (vocals, percussion)
CREDITS
Producers: Stephen Thompson, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Kara Frame, Nicholas Garbaty, Alyse Young; Animation: CJ Riculan; Production Assistant: Salvatore Maicki; Photo: Christina Ascani/NPR.
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/po...

[@brittancandela]

HANSON deserves so much more credit and attention than they get! They are incredibly talented musicians and songwriters! Also very humble and 'normal' men. Thanks NPR Tiny Desk for supporting them!

[@VictoriaxxxxROCKCHICK]

Brittan Candela yes totally

[@johnalycecarls2139]

Finally It's Christmas needs to be added to the regular rotation of Christmas music on the radio.

[@risengrind6268]

who is here 2023? still simply good music. and real musicians, in a time where most so called artists and musicians aint´t any good.

[@jenniferfillebrown3796]

I just...the degree to which these bros embody the joy of Christmas...and have since Snowed In...is magic.

[@emmbee6552]

Their talent never ceases to amaze me, even 25 years later

[@valeriagrace3554]

I loved them so much in my childhood! They are still awesome!

[@stephaniewideman1614]

Guys I LOVED the last song so much. I love watching you all sing it together, watching you guys look for ques from one another, and hearing the power you put into proclaiming His name! Wonderful guys, just wonderful. I have followed you since your first record, and you will always be my "favorite band." So very happy to see your passion is still there and better yet ..you are all together still. Makes us fans So Happy!

[@relliott2896]

Underrated band! Hanson is so talented!

[@lizquandt]

I just love so much that they're brothers and love making music 🤗

[@maryj7423]

Those guys are way too amazing, a neverending show and also great people themselves

[@JazzyBlues79]

These guys are amazing! I'm glad that they have remained together forn so long. They are great great great! Love this Tiny Desk!

[@Clearbluejay]

Crazy Zac is the hot one now! Also Taylor has picked up some mad piano skills. Great job guys!

[@chocolatewheelchair]

Just a couple good wholesome dudes playing some music

[@MhadPheeGFYS]

As a gen Xr I never cared for them but I'm glad they survived the beast.. most kids don't it seems.

[@marialeduque8827]

the happiness in taylor{s face on the second song is contagious

[@marialeduque8827]

fantastic they are amazing and very underrated

[@juliemarion8677]

Hanson is the best❤️

[@FrankSmith116]

I wish watching 13 minutes of Hanson was the strangest thing that happened to me in 2017

[@dubbletake]

i love how the middle brother always looks for approval of the oldest...

[@LisaPellegrino]

I noticed that too, but I think you mean that Zac the youngest is often looking to Taylor (the middle), especially towards on that last acapella song.

[@Imrightyourewrong1]

Surprisingly good.

[@hanawana]

I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.

[@Burzol]

They are quite awesome.

[@RunawayRun89]

Omg how have I not seen this before??? Loooooove!!!!! They’re just SO good!!!

[@marialeduque8827]

Tay looks so happy. Excellent perfomance btw

[@really_jack]

I poked this video, and Tiny Desk never lets me down - happy holidays everyone

[@BrianAnderson-7]

True story - these kids are actually great musicians. Not all the kids back then were created equal ;)

[@peanutbutterjellyfish2665]

Brian Anderson it’s different now?¿?

[@xinaliaful]

Amazing!!!

[@mariabesko3512]

NPR is rockin it lately!

[@mikeysrose]

Isaac ❤❤❤❤❤❤He should sing lead at LEAST 50% more. Step aside for the greatness, Taylor.

[@marialeduque8827]

love them they are truly incredible

[@StarChildInABubble]

Awww, this is so cute!

[@sisternaima]

They were born to do this

[@jamieroberts7359]

So much talent so underrated

[@ArtBusker]

Gracias Tiny Desk !!! son unos Genios !!!

[@elisamangini1829]

Love love love them! They are amazing!

[@IreneDiazMusic]

Yes!!!!!

[@nickfromCO]

didn't expect the kid that sings and plays piano to grow up to be Jon Bon Jovi.

[@WestonFrankFixed]

Thank you.... I needed you to say this...

[@Lesaly]

How do you mean this??

[@sdqsdq6274]

cant believe he sang at that angle

[@stars.are.blind_955]

they still good!

[@tosinkingfisheroparinde6590]

I love hanson

[@Kougeru]

.. Wow. Really good

[@MrDrewbies]

Mmmmmmmbop

[@polybr]

The best kind of xmas songs!

[@nathaliafonseca5932]

I LOVE YOU GUYS

[@fakearya9158]

Yessss!!! Love it.

[@jeffreydalgleish9233]

“BROCKHAMPTON NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert” would be so sick

[@3mafl0r]

omg ouiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii !!!

[@vinsderiz]

WOW. Good.

[@shannonestelle]

Who else would like to be able to decorate that fast?! 🎄

[@dontkillmyvibe2468]

i was thinking the same thing, lol

[@youtubefangirl2024]

it takes ma a whole month to decorate

[@chelseablue7787]

I procrastinate too much so it'll prob be next year before I'm done

[@sapphiredream9236]

ikr!

[@blackbeanburger3357]

if it wasn't for that fucking mmmbop song they probably get a lot more respect for how good they are as musicians

[@We4redev0]

Legends!

[@oscarrookie]

Merry Christmas!

[@c.jarmstrong3111]

Wait, like THE Hanson?

[@brittancandela]

Cameron Armstrong Music They did another Tiny Desk Concert a few months ago with regular music (non Christmas). You should definitely check it out!

[@djmips]

Brittan, just an interesting note: this was shot at the same time as previous TDC; this video starts with some applause from the previous concert and they are wearing the same clothes.

[@chocolatewheelchair]

Mmmm yup

[@himynameistawny]

:) This is happy!

[@peanutbutterjellyfish2665]

As a gen x punk rocker, misfits and bad religion wouldn’t give Hanson a chance. Nice!!!

[@orozcovla]

💓

[@ni1661]

holy shit, it's Young Jon Bon Jovi!

[@OctoberAmber]

❤💚💙

[@nathaliafonseca5932]

perfectttttttttttttttttttttttttt

[@avsky837]

Better musicians than the usual atonal hipsters

[@soirlamater]

❤

[@1777DK]

Damn those pants looks like a punishment of sorts ...

[@Yoshiiselliot]

Please never give up guys! I also am a musician and I create all of my own music and edit all of the visuals myself, just from my bedroom. I know it’s not the best but I am always working hard to improve and it would mean the world if you gave me the chance and checked out my music. And yes I know I’m shamelessly promoting, but a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do!

[@punkaholicmember]

Nihil Genus a lot of the big artists create their music out of their bedroom. No worries: hard work always gets rewarded! Keep up the good work!

[@mmblili]

Why didn't close in Isaac???

[@IvorySapphire22]

Anybody else notice that when they changed clothes, Isaac didn't change?

[@juliemarion8677]

IvorySapphire22 haha I know right

[@Lesaly]

He did change his outfit some❤

[@Itadakiman]

mmmmbop was 20 years ago, how are they still teens? Vampires?

[@spenserblount6917]

🤗

[@Atleastihavemydog]

Is that Charlie on Zac’s sweater?

[@RachelDavis705]

Why are there zero close-ups of the guy in the middle? Even when he was singing or doing a guitar solo, you were showing the other guys. Get another camera. That was weird and distracting.

[@orozcovla]

Lovely! although in Joy to the mountain, Zac or Tay sound little sick.

[@berke2336]

... wait WHAT?

[@TheGogogadget123]

Lol @ the fake snow blowing

[@56MightyMike]

Can I hit 👍 again?

[@Roy-G-Biv]

The tall one looks like Stephen Baldwin before drugs.

[@bitterpopeddie7688]

Hanson brother?

[@ShengTai80]

What happened to the chick in the band?

[@the_light_writer]

She grew up to be Jon Bon Jovi.

[@PaulJuliusAnderson]

Was that Ira Glass that said "Yeah, fix it" at 0:56?

[@djmips]

No it was the youngest drummer Hanson (on the left) named Zac but.. apparently he has a 9 year old son named Ira.

[@taniaiii4535]

What? Hanson were on Tiny Desk just about a month ago!

[@stephaniel2850]

Yep, they filmed this at the same time! Hence the really cute opening where it shows the NPR people switching out the set xD

[@taniaiii4535]

Stephanie L - lol, you're right I rushed to comment before watching, my bad.

[@janeadawn9731]

Zac looks like brad pitt. 😬

[@kangfesher]

lol The Middle Hanson didn't change his outfit at all.

[@the_light_writer]

That was the oldest Hanson, Isaac.

[@carrieberrykix]

He put lights around his neck lol

[@fonzimendoza1979]

Again?

[@benjamincuevas903]

Please get frank ocean to do a tiny desk concert

[@rickdajkflya]

damn nirvana sold out

[@FXMSPreview]

Did hanson create egg nog lube?!

[@chairshoe81]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@amphymixis]

They got worse and more annoying.