The B-52s headed down the Atlanta highway and performed Friday night at Sweetland Amphitheatre. Despite the cold evening, the amphitheater was packed with fans.

“With the weather, [the attendance] was good,” said Tammy Green, a volunteer with Sweetland. “I knew when they opened the gates not a lot of people were here, but they were waiting to get here at the last minute.”

Fans traveled as far as Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to attend the concert. Atlanta residents Evelyn Swanson, Karen Tailey and Mark Etheredge made the hour drive to attend the concert and dressed up in boas and boots like the band’s style.

Swanson said she and Etheredge have seen the B-52s more than 25 times around the country, and this was their first time in LaGrange.

“The first time I saw them was at Lakewood Amphitheater in 1985 or 1986,” Swanson said. “We were just remarking what a wonderful little town [LaGrange] is, and we need to come back during the day and enjoy it.”

Some other fans even wore lobster antennae headbands.

Tailey said this was her first B-52s concert and her favorite song was “Love Shack.” 

“It references Athens and the Atlanta highway,” Tailey said. “My family, we have some fun family ties to that song, and I just absolutely love it.”

LaGrange natives Markette and Jim Baker said they brought their children, Jack and Nina Francis, to the concert.

“We’re 80s kind of kids, so this is a great fun thing to remember,” Markette said. “It’s so cool that Sweetland is here to get someone like the B-52s to come and sing and play. To get to see that act is really cool, I’m thrilled about it.”

Nina Francis said “Love Shack” was her favorite song. 

“I don’t think there’s a single person on the planet who doesn’t like ‘Love Shack,’” Markette said. “It makes you want to dance.”

Soul band, Shinyribs opened for the B-52s.