Body-surfers, beware: The Convocation Center’s security doesn’t play like that.

Arena security guards had their hands full when MTV’s Campus Invasion tour hit DeKalb Thursday evening.

The tour, which featured IMA Robot, Lostprophets and headlining act Hoobastank rolled into NIU with a fan-friendly atmosphere. After a three-hour autograph signing session and an hour of MTV giveaways, the show kicked off at 7:30 p.m.

Hoobastank took the stage two hours later and barreled through a 16-song performance of selections from its two platinum albums, “The Reason” and its self-titled debut.

Thursday’s set included “Just One,” “What Happened To Us?” and “Remember Me.” During the band’s performance of “The Reason,” the arena glowed in typical rock-ballad manner, with lighters and cell phones.

In addition to gathering footage for an upcoming DVD release, the quartet has been invading campuses across the country to coincide with a recent MasterCard competition. The contest will give 16 college students a chance to intern and help out with the band’s upcoming video.

Welsh sextet Lostprophets egged on the crowd during its 45 minutes on stage. The group coerced the crowd into multiple mosh pits and fist-pumping sing-alongs. Playing tracks from its first two releases, vocalist Ian Watkins led the group on songs such as “Last Summer,” “Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja” and “Last Train Home.”

The band’s momentum was derailed slightly when Watkins dropped and broke his microphone. His Roger Daltry stage presence backfired and caused the momentary delay.

Concert-goers who arrived late missed the evening’s opening act. California band IMA Robot fused elements of punk and new-wave into a brief half-hour set, taking songs from its debut album, “IMA Robot,” as well as “Public Access EP.”