Dooobeeedada

MC: Their first album sold eight million copies and they’ve been touring ever since, this is their first time in China!

CJ: (whispers) Do you know who this band is?

Me: (whispers) Yes, they had a big hit seven years ago. Haven’t really heard anything much from them since then.

When I first heard the MC announce the superstar greatness that is Hanson during dress rehearsals, he said they were a hip hop group, so I wasn’t thinking of those three young lads of those heady Mmmbop! days. Who knows what these hip hop acts will name themselves these days, anyway. But then I was backstage on the day and saw the oldest boy in the dressing room.

Mmmmmmmbop! (da da, mmmmmmmbop!) shall follow them all the days of their lives, I think. At least in my mind it will.

They weren’t bad. The middle brother, the singer, still has a good voice. It’s adorable how he wiggles his leg as he concentrates on playing the piano. And he’s the only one who still has long hair.

• 3 Dec 2004