Incubus sparkles

By Jessica King

The Convocation Center found a “stellar” turnout for Incubus Friday night.

With the haze machines in full effect, the alt-metal quintet played a mix of music from its 13-year career but focused more on its last few albums, including 2004’s “A Crow Left of the Murder.”

More than 4,500 people attended the show either standing in the bleachers or dancing on the floor.

Taking the stage at 8:40 p.m., Incubus performed a main set of 15 songs, opening with “Pistola” before launching into “Nice To Know You,” from 2001’s sleeper hit “Morning View.”

Dressed in a white T-shirt and suspenders, lead singer Brandon Boyd belted out the lyrics to the excitement of the crowd while drummer José Pasillas kept the pace going strong.

“I’m having a good time,” Boyd said halfway through the set.

It was clear from the cheers the audience was, too.

The five-piece group charged ahead with a number of hits, including “Stellar,” “Drive,” “Wish You Were Here” and the intense “Megalomaniac.” Toward the end of the set, the group fell into a long percussion jam.

After leaving the stage for a couple of minutes, Incubus returned for a two-song encore, ending with “Under My Umbrella.”

“I loved the show,” said Clara Stuparitz, a Highland Park resident who attended with her four children. “Incubus is an amazing band because their philosophy is so interesting. They write about taking control of their lives.”

Brian Mesch, who traveled from Romeoville to attend the show, said he also enjoyed the band.

“The show was really good,” he said. “[The band members] mesh really well. My favorite part was toward the end when they started playing their older stuff.”

The Music, from Leeds, U.K., opened for Incubus, playing a number of songs from its sophomore release, “Welcome to the North.”

Lead singer Rob Harvey danced energetically to the music while the modern-rock foursome tried to engage the lukewarm audience with its 33-minute set, which included “Freedom Fighters,” “Breakin’,” and “Bleed From Within.”

The audience had mixed reactions to The Music.

“I didn’t like their music, but the lights were nice,” said Laura Shields, a student at the College of DuPage.

Ticket sales for the show were above expected levels, said Kevin Selover, the Convo Center’s marketing manager.

Selover attributed the large crowd to the show being on a Friday night, which allowed for an audience from a larger area.