Thousands flocked to the Baton Rouge River Center for what radio station 104.5 and 104.9 “The X” had been billing as “the biggest entertainment event in Baton Rouge history.” Seven bands ranging from the The Killers to Papa Roach to AFI rocked X-Fest on Saturday night. Australian band The Howling Bells opened up X-Fest at 3:30 p.m. Eight hours later, The Killers ended the night with its hit “All These Things That I’ve Done.” In between those shows, fans were serenaded by Saosin, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Papa Roach, Jet and AFI. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus vocalist Ronnie Winter encouraged the crowd in the middle of its set by offering career advice. “To all the musicians out in the crowd, ya’ll are no different than any of us up here,” Winter said. Papa Roach played after Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. The band played many of its hits, closing the set with “Last Resort.” Lead vocalist Jacoby Shaddix entertained the crowd by dedicating songs to “all the dirty girls out in the crowd” and abandoning the stage for the middle of the crowd. Australian rockers Jet played after Papa Roach. Jet was a complete transition from the angst-ridden nu-metal of Papa Roach. The band brought back memories of ’70s rock with hits “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” and “Cold Hard Bitch.” Lead vocalist Nic Cester climbed on top of the drum kit to perform two songs. AFI followed Jet with performances hits like “Miss Murder” as well as a cover of Blur’s “Song 2.” The band had to play a shortened set because of technical difficulties. Headliners The Killers closed the festival. Confetti rained down from the rafters as the band played songs from their albums “Hot Fuss” and “Sam’s Town.” Lead vocalist Brandon Flowers split time between piano, synthesizers and directing the crowd in sing-alongs. X-Fest was the first time 104.5 and 104.9 “The X” had ever put on an event so large. DJ “The Fish,” who served as the MC for the event and introduced each of the bands, said the station was really excited about X-Fest. “It’s been awesome. It was something we’ve been building up to, and we’re really excited,” The Fish said. Baton Rouge has traditionally been bypassed by big name acts for New Orleans. The Fish said he hopes this will change and that Baton Rouge can draw more big name acts following X-Fest. “If they will keep coming, we’ll keep hosting them, and we’d love to do it,” he said. Others in the crowd said they hoped Baton Rouge could draw more big name acts. “It’s actually really great that we could get The Killers here,” concertgoer Stephanie Robin said. “It’s a step in the right direction.” Concertgoers were impressed with the performances. “Papa Roach really amped up the crowd, and the only band I hadn’t really heard of before was Saosin, and their show was awesome too,” Alex Placzek said. Most X-Fest attendees were pleased with the variety of acts in the lineup. “It’s great because they have everybody’s type of music. Its a strong mix,” Sammy North said . John Pye, mechanical engineering sophomore, said he was most impressed with The Killers. “The Killers were amazing,” Pye said. “Their light show was outstanding, and their performance was just great.”
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