Flogging Molly-
Known to generally be in good spirits, Flogging Molly seemed to be especially jolly this year. After a few songs, they announced that the IRA had decided to lay down their weapons the day before, therefore making the band and all of Ireland very happy. As attendees were rushing to the stage, almost every single one of them erupted into spontaneous jig. It is always refreshing to see people of all types come together to celebrate drinking, friendship, roughness, and great music. Flogging Molly makes sure this happens at every show, this was no exception.

Kasabian-
Although I’ve been a bit of a fan of their record, the show left a little something to be desired. Some of it sounded dangerously close to rap-rock and gave me a vibe I was not expecting from the band. It was almost as if Kasabian was aimed at rockers who thought they may be too old to appreciate these kids nowadays. That is selling themselves short. Kasabian has it in them to keep up with the best of them. Parts of the show seemed like a trippy drug scene, with talking and spacey sounds, but the crowd seemed to really dig it, and the band had a good time pleasing them.

Black-Eyed Peas-
BEP started over a half an hour late due to missing one particular front woman. The crowd was getting a little restless, and I went out to see if they were having sound problems when a black SUV pulled up to where I was standing and someone shooed me away. Turns out there were no sound problems at all, just tardiness problems. Fergie was in the aformentioned SUV and the show could finally go on, just not before someone got punched and the crowd started chanting "bullsh*t". Meanwhile, everyone who was waiting for the White Stripes just kept waiting. Once the Peas got started it is hard to not at least tap your feet to "Let's Get it Started" or "Where is the Love." If only Justin could have made a guest appearance for that one, this show could have been saved. After the show Fergie came stumbling to the VIP tent with an entourage fit for a star, snapped a few pics with some young girl fans and proceeded to pose for press photos for another half an hour. Black Eyed Peas win the award for most fanfare at the Street Scene on Friday night.

Social Distortion-
One thing about Social D is once a fan, always a fan, and just looking at this crowd you can tell which people came specifically to see Mike Ness and the boys. The band put on a fine sing-a-long set as usual, and they kept up the energy level of the old school crowd previously warmed up by Flogging Molly. Watch "Another State of Mind" for a peek back to when Social D was a local band starting out, then stop in at The Pike on Fourth Street and get a taste of one of the Social D guys helping out the youngsters of today.

White Stripes-
It took five and a half hours to get to San Diego. It took all night of dealing with "festival types" walking around the street scene. It took $10 for a cheesesteak sandwich and some sweet tea, and it all vanished with the beat of Meg White's candy striped drums. I am not typically a White Stripes fan. I didn't even want to stay for the rest of the festival, and now I am converted. It has been a while since I have seen such a magical and inspiring show. Any reservation Jack White has on his records is lost on stage. I have heard them do Dolly Parton's "Jolene" on record, and it is always nice, but the intensity of him on stage came across almost desperate and on edge, just as the song was meant to sound. This also marks the first time I saw Meg sing. She had two giant timpani drums, and even though it was packed there, I felt like she was trying to tell me a secret. It will be a while before I stop talking about this show.

Killers-
From the first glimpse of these Vegas boys you know you are in for a show. Brandon Flowers was in perfect form with his plaid blazer. He is one of the few new rock boys that can actually pull off eye-liner, and you can put me on record saying that. The hits kept coming and the crowd went wild to "Somebody Told Me" which is to be expected, but the crowd didn't just go wild, they stayed wild the whole time. The Killers have worked hard to be where they are, and after seeing how much they give to their fans I can honestly say they’ve earned it.

(International) Noise Conspiracy-
For a band that has built their image on the underground communist movement, dark basements, fists in the air, and change around the corner, it was very hard to watch them open the festival in broad daylight. They deserve more than that. I mean this is the front man from Refused, fer cryin’ out loud. This is a message being spread. They gave their all, equally of course, and managed to get the crowd hip shaking and political at the same time. That is no small feat for five forty five in the afternoon sun.

Autolux-
Autolux's equipment made it on time, but Autolux was sitting with the rest of us in traffic. San Diego hopefully will learn its lesson and make this festival Friday and Saturday in the future. Point being, hometown favorites, Autolux put on a wonderful show, and just because they missed their slot does not mean you should miss them next time they are around. Here is the reason I am an Autolux fan, and if this old story makes you one too, then my job is done. Autolux was on the verge of being as big as they are now almost three years ago. Their spotlight was dimmed greatly when their drummer broke her arm and had to have serious therapy. Instead of replacing her and riding onto recognition, the band said something like, If we are gonna make it, we are gonna make it, but this is our band and we will wait for her to recover. Now their patience has paid off, and their loyalty to themselves won them at least one fan in me.

-Starr Sink