To say Sugarland’s first visit to DeKalb was memorable would be an understatement.

An energetic crowd looked on as the country act from Atlanta rocked the Convocation Center Friday night, mixing songs from their latest album, “Enjoy the Ride,” with older favorites and a great rendition of Bruce Hornsby’s “The Way It Is.” Sugarland had control of the exuberant audience from the moment the band took the stage at 9:55 p.m. and didn’t let go for the next 75 minutes.

“I thought Sugarland was pretty amazing,” said Yorkville resident Joshua Jensen, 18. “Jennifer Nettles is so amazing. It was a great show. I’m glad I came out.”

Sugarland’s set may have been good, but opening acts Rodney Atkins and The Wreckers made sure the band had its work cut out for them. Atkins took the stage shortly after 8 p.m. and commanded the already-packed Convocation Center like a veteran, relentlessly prowling the stage and stopping only to engage in banter with the audience between songs.

“Atkins is actually my favorite artist of all,” said Jensen. “I love his music and his sound. [He has a] great voice.”

The Wreckers were equally impressive, with Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp spot-on vocally all night. Their ferocious backing band throttled songs such as “Tennessee” and others from their 2006 debut, “Stand Still, Look Pretty.”

Rockford radio station Country Q98.5 FM celebrated its 15th birthday Friday night, and was extremely pleased with the Sugarland show.

“If you’re going to have a birthday party, I don’t think you can party any better than with Rodney Atkins, The Wreckers and Sugarland,” said Steve Summers, co-host of “The Wake-Up Crew on Q98.5 FM” “Sugarland just tears it up. You can see why Jennifer won the Grammy.”

The Grammy in question, Best Country Vocal Collaboration, was awarded to Nettles this year for her contribution to Bon Jovi’s hit “Who Says You Can’t Go Home?” Kristian Bush, the other half of Sugarland, got his start as 50 percent of folk-rock duo Billy Pilgrim.

Sugarland had five hit singles from 2004’s “Twice the Speed of Life,” and “Just Might (Make Me Believe)” earned the band a CMT Music Award nomination.

Kevin Selover, assistant director of marketing for the Convo, said the show was a success.

“I thought from start to finish, it was a great show,” Selover said. “All three acts put on wonderful performances. We were very lucky to get three talented, up-and-coming acts like this. These weren’t some of the top names in the business, but when you put the three of them together, it makes for a heck of a package. You can tell by everyone’s face as they’re leaving that they saw an awesome show.”