Popcorn and Pen

Perhaps no one enjoyed Saturday’s May Day 2008 at Verizon Wireless Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville, more than 3 Doors Down frontman Brad Arnold. At the conclusion of every song he sported the same ear-to-ear smile and expressed his gratitude to the near-capacity crowd.

“Thank you so much,” Arnold recited over and over after every song. “Thank you so much Indy.”

The five-member band featured a few new songs off of the group’s fifth studio album, 3 Doors Down, which was released on May 20. But a majority of the concert was the band’s collective hits since 2000.

Their show started with one of the new songs, “Train,” which is also set to be group’s next single. The band followed it up with their first hit, “Kryptonite,” and then slowed the tempo down with the melodious “Away From the Sun.” Another release from 3 Doors Down – “Citizen Soldier” – was dedicated to all of those in attendance who had family members who served in the Armed Forces.

Arnold was then given a chance to catch his breath as the crowd took over the chorus when “Be Like That” was played. As the slower tempo song concluded, Arnold then asked the crowd, “Anyone want to turn it up a notch?”

After the audience responded with an encouraging roar, 3 Doors Down played “Duck and Run” from its The Better Life album before performing “Let Me Go,” a tune Arnold informed the crowd as “a song you might remember.”

As pictures of the band with their family, friends and fans showing in the background, 3 Doors Down proceeded with “Let Me Be Myself,” the final song off their self-titled studio album, and one less people are familiar with.

“It’s one of my favorite songs we’ve done,” said Arnold. “It’s my favorite song off the new album. It’s a song we can all relate too.”

One of the band’s biggest radio hits, “Here Without You,” “It’s Not Me” and “a little song about lies” – “Behind Those Eyes” – finished up the group’s performance. Arnold and company then returned to play an encore of “Loser” and “When I’m Gone.” As they departed the stage for the final time, Arnold again flashed the crowd his smile and graciously thanked “his friends” for coming out one last time.

May Day also included Seether, Finger Eleven, Theory of a Deadman and Atreyu.