As the sun began to dip below the horizon, the sounds of excitement and laughter filled the air. The carnival rides whirled as the gentle breeze rustled through the trees. People gathered in the field right in front of the empty stage with anticipation of who was to perform. It was the beginning of an unforgettable night.
Frontier Days in Arlington Heights, Ill., brought a gathering of friends and families, spanning the festival into a five-night music celebration from July 3-7, 2024. Other bands took the main stage each day of the festival, including 7th Heaven, Plain White T’s, Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press, and American English.
On Saturday, July 6, Hoobastank, returned to the festival for the first time in seven years with a performance early in the evening on the main stage. The American rock band formed in 1994 in Agoura Hills, Calif., releasing six studio albums. It recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of “The Reason,” its second studio album.
Frontier Days itself was free and many fans sat in the open field waiting for 8 p.m. to hit. Volunteers helping run the event scurried about, making sure everything ran smoothly and the stage was set up perfectly. A golden hue was casting on everyone’s faces and bathing the stage in a soft, natural light. Food vendors sold delicious treats ranging from hot dogs to sweet funnel cakes. Blankets and lawn chairs filled the field with a sea of people who either relaxed in the summer breeze or socialized with one another.
Hoobastank’s set list featured 15 tracks from five studio albums, including, “The Reason,” “Hoobastank,” “Every Man For Himself,” “Fight Or Flight,” and “For(n)ever.” Some of the songs performed included “Pieces,” “Out Of Control,” and “If I Were You,” making the set last for an hour.
Hoobastank opened with a rousing performance of “Just One,” with mighty riffs coming from guitarist Dan Estrin to a thundering sound by drummer Chris Hesse. The entire band carried a lot of energy to the crowd. The atmosphere was electric, with people cheering and jumping. Once Doug Robb belted out the lyrics, the crowd began to sing the verses, too.
At one point between songs, Robb brought up the topic of birthdays — after all, bassist Jesse Charland’s birthday was only six days prior. Another band member’s birthday was coming up, putting Estrin on the spot. Pulling out a cake with lit candles, Robb asked the crowd to sing “Happy Birthday” for the guitarist and fellow band member, creating a wholesome moment shared with everyone present. The audience appreciated the moment and saw the band members as more than musicians, but as people they could relate to.
Toward the end of the show, “The Reason,” a tune that is well known by all fans, was performed. Robb told the crowd to turn on their phone flashlights and soon enough, the field illuminated like stars in the sky. It was a beautiful site considering the sun was already set.
It was a night to remember as the crowd bid farewell to the band. As the final chords rang through the air, and the audience cheered. Robb expressed his gratitude, thanking the crowd throughout the show. The band members after the show took photos with fans, making the night more memorable.
-July 10, 2024-
