Blue October's Hot Summer Show

ST. PETERSBURG – Blue October received a scorching hot welcome Saturday, when it played to a sellout crowd outdoors in downtown St. Pete.

It looked like everyone at Jannus Live had been sprayed with a super soaker during the 97X-sponsored event. With the body heat of so many fans in the 90-plus heat weather, Blue October fans were in for a scorching hot show.

Gates opened at 6:30 p.m. with a line formed well around the block. Loyal fans rushed to the front of the stage to ensure an up-close experience with the band.

Just how hot did it get? St. Petersburg Police and Fire personnel kept busy as heat related issues came up frequently throughout the night.

Opening was Paint the Town Red. The guitar duo had a high-energy performance that fit the swelter. Justin Vilardi and Eric Best offered about a half-dozen tunes. Geri X followed and showed why she is a hometown favorite. She isn't used to playing in front of thousands but at more intimate shows. But she had an aura about her that would tell a different story.

Blue October showed why it has so much staying power. The Texas rock band should be used to a hot summer night, so the dog days of August did not make the five rockers swoon. The courtyard never missed a beat on tracks like "Into the Ocean" and "The Chills."

The band Blue October formed in 1995 in Houston, and has been playing hard even since. An album entitled "The Answers" kick started the group's success.

Since their first release in '98, the guys have been touring and making music. A 2011 album – the group's sixth album – was just released and is called "Any Man in America." It proves the band's longevity.

The album was inspired by lead singer Justin Furstenfeld’s divorce and custody battle in 2008. The album debuted at 8 on Billboard's Top 200.