The fifth season of Downtown Live, Raleigh’s free concert series has come to an end. This year’s performers included Joan Jett, The Black Hearts and the Charlie Daniels Band among others, while the last concert included rockers Airiel Down, Hip Hop acts The Urban Sophisticates and funk group Hobex. Better Than Ezra headlined the final concert of the series.

“They should have one of these concerts every weekend because this is awesome,” Taylor Blake, a sophomore in turfgrass management said.

Danielle Devita, an alumna, was at the concert to see Better Than Ezra.

“It’s nice that Raleigh has free events.”

Dustin Haigler, a sophomore in agricultural education, called Downtown Live an opportunity that “you can’t pass up, it’s either pay thirty dollars for an Allan Jackson concert or this and this is free!”

Hobex’s Greg Humphries praised the event. His band has played Downtown Live before.

“We’re not touring a lot, we only play the best shows that we come across,” Humphries said,

Hobex played on stage before Better Than Ezra. Humphries and company played soulful rock influenced by Isaac Hayes and Otis Redding. Their show had a myriad of sounds including slide guitar solos and even castanets were used.

After Hobex’s set, Better Than Ezra wasted no time and ran through their songs. They played to a dedicated crowd of fans in a stormy night.

“Better Than Ezra is…childhood memories.” Adam Skinner, an alumnus, said.

It seems that Downtown Live has become a successful and popular event for Raleigh. The crowds did not dwindle as the night went on, but instead continued to grow with each act, which could signal 96 Rock, the event’s chief sponsor, may bring the event back next summer.