Incubus rocks crowd at IU Auditorium

More than 3,000 people packed the IU Auditorium Sunday night to hear the alternative rock band Incubus play live songs from both its newest album and older albums. The IU Auditorium was filled with students wanting to hear their favorite songs, and with surprise covers of R. Kelly and Prince by lead singer Brandon Boyd. Students came from as far as Ball State and Purdue universities to hear the popular band.\nBall State sophomore Matt Grey said he was really happy with the performances by the opening act, The Music, and Incubus. \n"Incubus put on an amazing performance. I enjoyed the opening band as well, they did awesome opening for such a highly respected band," Grey said. Grey also said he liked Boyd's version of Prince's song "When Doves Cry" and said he was not expecting the unusual covers.\nPurdue senior Tom Sak said he was overly impressed with the show and liked the atmosphere of the crowd.\n"They played a lot of stuff that everyone knew," Sak said. "My favorite song is 'Drive' and when they started everyone screamed and yelled, it was pretty cool. I thought they did a great job and now I want to see them again."\nIncubus covered its bases by playing songs from its latest album "Megalomaniac," as well as older songs that were familiar to the crowd. The band's first set included four of its most popular songs: "Drive," "Wish You Were Here," "Stellar" and "Nice to Know You" while the crowd sang along with the music. Sophomore Ann Boester said she liked the older songs Incubus played and was glad the band didn't just play songs from its newest album.\n"Actually I liked the older stuff better, I really like 'Make yourself' and 'Focus' and 'Stellar,' all songs they played," Boester said. "A lot of people that go to Incubus concerts know the older songs and that's what they want to hear. Overall, I liked it a lot, I thought (Boyd) mixed it up with old and new and I think it was a good show."\nBoester also said although she liked the concert, she was disappointed with the restriction of not being able to move around her seat.\n"It sucked in the Auditorium because you couldn't move around and were kept in front of your seat. I didn't like that," she said. "That is something that definitely has an effect if fans are going to go, especially when people want to be close to the stage and whether or not you have freedom to move around or stay in your seat."\nJunior Brian Kelley liked the set list and said he thought it was one of the best Incubus shows he's been to.\n"The set list was definitely one of their top shows I've seen and I've been to quite a few," Kelley said. "The drum solos, 'Stellar's' freestyle verse in the middle, and 'Pantomime' were highlights."\nCommittee Chairman for the Union Board Jeffrey Hasson said he was very pleased with the concert and that all of the hard work paid off.\n"It was phenomenal, I couldn't have asked for better show," Hasson said. "The lighting was great, and Incubus played for the longest time; The sound was good and the music was excellent. I can't explain how happy I feel right now on my committee. The entire Union Board and the committees feel so great to give something to the student body like this concert. All the time and effort we put in was great and worth it."\nIU Auditorium Director Doug Booher said he thought Incubus was happy to be in Bloomington.\n"We thought it was great show, both the opening act and Incubus. It was a really inspiring performance and Incubus was excited to be at IU," Booher said. "They had asked to come here and I think Union Board did a good job of making it work out."\nBooher said student support in the concert will help the Auditorium and other groups book bands of Incubus' caliber.\n"(The support for Incubus) makes booking shows for rock and popular music an easier job when students get behind a show and bring friends," Booher said. "The better track record we have, it's easier to book big name bands. ... To me, this semester is a turning point. We've had Nickel Creek, Howie Day and now Incubus. This helps us to continue to build history with the industry and helps us to get other shows lined up."\nBooher said the Incubus crew gave compliments to the Union Board for all of its hard work.\n"One of the greatest accomplishments IU was paid was by Incubus's tour manager who said this was the best group of students they had worked with," Booher said. "...They were also impressed with professionalism that Union Board had to make sure it was a smooth show with no problems. That was a very nice compliment."\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.