While U2 never played DeKalb, it didn’t stop O.A.R. from covering the Irish rock quintet’s anti-war protest song “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”

Guitars clanged throughout the Convocation Center Wednesday night as O.A.R. played the last show of the semester at NIU and left students dancing the night away.

Guys clad themselves in T-shirts and jeans as the ladies opted for low-cut tops and capris to compliment the spring weather.

“There’s a great crowd and a nice energy in the air,” said Kevin Selover, marketing manager for the Convo. “Anyone who has seen O.A.R. knows what kind of atmosphere they bring.”

Fans were scattered throughout the Convo, from the floor to the upper bowl, though seat location didn’t deter anyone from having a bad time.

Keith Johnson and Eric Butler, both 18 and from Rockford, had seen the band multiple times before the NIU show.

“Their reggae drives me crazy,” Johnson said. “I love what they play.”

O.A.R. opened the night with “52-50,” a mellow, laid-back tune and slowly worked the crowd over the 16-song, two-hour set.

Fans swayed back and forth to the music and hung on to every wah-wah of the pedal.

“My destination is Illinois and we’re here to have some fun,” lead vocalist and guitarist Marc Roberge sang during “Destination.”

During “The Stranger,” images of life on the road flashed on the screen above the stage and the band played to all sides of the stage.

“Don’t be afraid to dance with the person next to you as long as they are cool with it,” Roberge said between songs.

Audience members began to crowd surf during “Nightshift,” but security was quick to put an end to it.

After lulling the audience down for several songs, the five-piece band came back strong with three songs and closed out the night on a high note.

Before “Love and Memories,” Roberge described the song about a person in your life you wish you never met.

“Sunday Bloody Sunday” closed the main set and the audience repeatedly sang the title in unison as the band jammed away.

Army of Me opened the show with a 35-minute set of electric rock, though audience members were more apt to walking around during their set than listening to their music.

“I think we had our best year so far and the future can only go up from here,” Selover said. “Next fall is looking very exciting.”