The Convocation Center hosted its first musical performance last night for an audience of less than 200.

The regional rock band Mike and Joe played for an energetic crowd following a 50-minute set by local band Mer.

Although the crowd was smaller than organizers expected, the venue was popular with some in attendance.

“It’s ten times better than Chick Evans [Field House],” said Jason King, a junior finance major.

The low turnout didn’t distract the fans from Mike and Joe’s performance, though.

“I love ’em to death,” said King. “They’re just always entertaining, always fun.”

There was no repeat performance of the bad lighting and sound that distracted some audience members during Bill Cosby’s performance last Friday.

Mike and Joe play nearly 175 shows per year, many of them in DeKalb venues like Otto’s Nightclub, located at 118 E. Lincoln Highway. They’re popular for their energetic covers of well-known songs.

“Because the average fan of this band comes and watches a mostly cover type of show, they associate this band with cover music, of course,” said vocalist and guitar player Joe Valentino.

Mike and Joe have released two albums of original music, and are working on a third project. But cover songs from bands like Weezer, Dave Matthews Band and Jimi Hendrix still make up the bulk of their shows.

“We try to pay a lot of attention to what our audience wants, because they allow us to do this,” said vocalist and guitar player Mike Notaro.

The band gets many requests for songs from fans, Notaro said.

“People e-mail requests,” Notaro said. “Some people get real creative and stick requests inside of fortune cookies.”

Mer also played to a receptive crowd, provoking loud cheers when the band gleefully announced its upcoming show at the House of Blues in Chicago.