From the radio to the Rouge, local rock station 104 The X will bring bands normally heard on the national airwaves to the Red Stick tonight.Death Cab for Cutie, Snow Patrol, Cold War Kids, Jack’s Mannequin and Carolina Liar are all slated to play the radio station’s annual Xmas Bash tonight at the Baton Rouge River Center.”I am excited to see bands like this come to Baton Rouge,” said Jonathan House, architecture freshman. “It’s nice not to have to drive to New Orleans or Houston.”None of these bands have played in Baton Rouge before except Death Cab for Cutie, an indie rock band from Washington. They played to a small crowd at the Spanish Moon eight years ago, before their breakout success. Snow Patrol and Cold War Kids also started out as indie rock bands and have broken into the national spotlight. This is the first year the Xmas Bash will be held at the River Center. The event started in 2006 as a one-night show at the Texas Club with 30 Seconds to Mars as the headliner. The bash was extended last year to two nights and featured hard rock bands such as Coheed and Cambria, Flyleaf and Atreyu.”We wanted to bring a different feel to the show,” said 104 the X DJ “The Fish.” “It’s more of a laidback vibe this year.”Unlike the harder, metal-influenced bands like Atreyu and Coheed and Cambria, many this year’s bands have garnered success with slower, pop-influenced singles like Death Cab’s “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” and Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars.”Most of the bands have had songs featured in popular television shows as well.Another difference this year is the assigned seating at the River Center, as opposed to general admission at the Texas Club.”I kind of like [the River Center] better,” said House, who attended the Xmas Bash last year. “I think it’s more appropriate for the bands that they picked.””The Fish” said he expects at least a few thousand concert goers tonight, which would make this year’s Xmas Bash the biggest yet.But with the date falling on dead week for the University, many students may choose studying over a concert.Jonathan Seal, marketing freshman, said he would like to attend but won’t because of dead week.”I would like to go see [the concert], but with dead week and exams, it would be rather tough,” he said.Carolina Liar goes on at 5:40 p.m., and tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets.- – – -Contact Lauren Walck at [email protected]