Despite a lively performance by 3 Doors Down, Shinedown and Alter Bridge, attendance to Wednesday night’s concert at the Convocation Center did not meet expectations.

“Ticket sales were below expectation,” said Convo Center Marketing Director Kevin Selover, “I thought students would come out a little bit more than what they did.”

3 Doors Down took the stage at about 9:40 p.m. The stage was set up with three big screens.

Along with a pyrotechnic display during the performance, 3 Doors Down played songs from its previous albums, “The Better Life” and “Away from the Sun,” as well as material from the new album “Seventeen Days.”

The 17-song set featured radio hits like “Loser,” “Here Without You” and “Be Like That.”

During the performance of “Kryptonite,” the screens showed a meteor shower of the mystical green rock and a modified Superman logo with the number three in the center.

Brad Arnold, 3 Doors Down front man, thanked those present and asked them to sing along to various songs.

“This is a song I believe everybody can identify with in one way or another,” said Arnold as he introduced “Be Somebody.” “This song is my mom’s favorite song.”

Arnold and company worked the stage walking from side to side and reaching out to those closest to the stage.

The band closed its set with “When I’m Gone,” with images of American soldiers in the background.

Junior marketing major, Brandon Zeman, thought the show was an amazing experience.

“The crowd was pretty lively. I think they could of had more energy,” Zeman said. “Overall it was pretty good.”

Robyn Nestor from Lake Zurich was impressed with the venue.

“It’s a pretty quiet crowd, compared to other concerts,” Nestor said.

Her friend Dawn Neely of Marengo enjoyed the performance by the opening act.

“The guys in Alter Bridge were very, very good,” Neely said.

The Florida rockers of Shinedown warmed up the crowd with its brand of melodic hard rock. Often asking the crowd to jump, scream and sing along.

Singer Brent Smith approached the guard rail and stood on it as he greeted the audience.

“We are the only people in existence tonight,” Smith said. “Because this is your show.”

The eight-song set included its well-known single “45,” as well as “I Dare You” and “Simple Man.”

During the performance of “45,” Smith asked the audience to take out lighters and flip open phones.

“Show me what the stars look like tonight,” Smith said.

Opening act Alter Bridge took to the stage a little after 7: 30 p.m. The band is composed of former Creed members, Mark Tremonti, Scott Phillips and Brian Marshall and Mayfield Four front man Myles Kennedy.

The crowd responded to the band and sang along to “Open your Eyes.”

Kent Voss from Woodstock brought his family to see the concert.

“We thought we’d take the kids for their first concert exposure,” Voss said. “It’s been good; there’s been a lot of energy.”