3 Doors Down, crowd turn it up

The first concert at the center attracted thousands.
By KATIE LIBECCO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- For years, many critics debated whether people would attend shows at the Youngstown Convocation Center.
Saturday night's performance of rock band 3 Doors Down and two other rock groups and thousands of fans proved those skeptics wrong.
By the end of the night, a vast majority of the more than 5,000 permanent seats were filled and most of the arena floor was packed with fans. The promoters did not release an official number of tickets sold.
Lines began forming at 6 p.m. Saturday for the show, as fans went through strict security checks. A press release sent from the convocation center corrected a policy in a previous statement, which had banned pins and/or piercings in the building.
"We would like the public to be aware that piercings can be caught on clothing or other patrons in an environment with many people and that their well-being is of our utmost concern. However, we will not require people to remove them in order to attend events," Jeff Kossow, the convocation center's executive director, said in the press release.
The hallways were filled with people and a slight fog from the bands' fog machines, which had been tested in the afternoon. Brothers of a Youngstown State University fraternity served as beer vendors for the show.
Praise for facility, city
"This is great for Youngstown," Ron Collins of Hermitage, Pa., said. "And with the new 711 Connector open, it only took 20 minutes to get here."
His wife, Diana, said a dining guide for visitors to Youngstown would have been helpful.
"We were at Buffalo Wild Wings before the show and it was packed when we were there," she said. "I'm guessing the other places downtown were, too."
Prices for food at the arena are high, but not nearly as high as some sports and concert complexes. A large soft drink is $3.50; popcorn and peanuts are $2.50; and a hot dog is $3. A cup of beer at the arena costs $5.25.
Lines for restrooms caused some traffic in the main corridors, and the area reserved for smoking was overwhelmingly crowded between bands.
Also performing were Alter Bridge and Shinedown.
Overall, the first concert went off without any problems.
"You know, driving here, going down Federal Plaza, I started thinking 'This is starting to look like a town again,'" Austintown resident Bob Roth said.
"We're from New Castle, so it's nice to come 20 minutes instead of going to Cleveland or Pittsburgh to see shows like this," Joanne Papst said.
"I'm already in for hockey games! It's nice here, they really did a good job," she said.
3 Doors Down lead singer Brad Arnold even complimented the convocation center during the performance.
"Thanks for having us here, and thanks for letting us be the first concert at this beautiful arena," Arnold said during the show. "They did good; it sounds awesome in here."
About the bands
3 Doors Down consists of Brad Arnold as lead vocalist, Matt Roberts on guitar, Todd Harrell on bass and Chris Henderson on guitar. They were nominated for an American Music Award in the Pop/Rock favorite band/duo group category in September. Their most successful songs include "Kryptonite," "Loser," "When I'm Gone" and "Here Without You."
3 Doors Down calls Escatawpa, Miss., its hometown, which was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. To help with the relief effort, the band bought and personally delivered three police cars and a firetruck for the city.
A crowd began to form on the floor of the arena around 7 p.m., as Alter Bridge, which includes former members of Creed, took the floor. Members of the group are guitarist Mark Tremonti, drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brian Marshall. Myles Kennedy, also a guitarist, is the group's lead vocalist.
Heavy-metal group Shinedown took the stage after Alter Bridge. The band is known for its well-produced melodies and powerful lyrics, including 2004's single "45." Shinedown released a video covering Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man" in 2004, which it also covered during Saturday's show. Shinedown's debut album "Leave a Whisper" went platinum Oct. 21. The band's second release, "Us and Them," was released Oct. 4 and features a new single, "Save Me."
3 Doors Down previously appeared at Youngstown State University's Beeghly Center as a part of YSU's 2003 Homecoming Week.