The Nickelback concert at the Saddledome on May 31st marked the sixth time I have seen the Hanna, Alberta boys in concert since 2004. Yes, on purpose. Call it a guilty pleasure, call it whatever, but I do in fact like Nickelback. One of my favourite concert-going experiences ever was being hauled up on stage to engage in a drinking contest with drummer Daniel Adair in 2006. I lost badly but being on stage in front of 14,000 people was pretty incredible.

I did however get mocked on Facebook when I included going to the concert in my status. Love them or despise them, you cannot argue with the band’s success. There are not a lot of bands that can fill the Saddledome these days to capacity, let alone do so only a year after they last played here, still touring 2008's Dark Horse album. Yet fans of all ages and types once again packed the place.

The band certainly knows how to make an entrance, as pyro exploded before the lights went down, scaring the crap out of people. Then more things went boom while the band (Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Daniel Adair) blistered through Burn It To The Ground, Flat on the Floor and giant singalong Photograph.

So what is the appeal of Nickelback live? Front man Chad Kroeger is incredibly charismatic on stage, which is a big part of it. Their set list is filled with songs heard repeatedly on the radio, which makes it easier to sing along. Maybe it's an Alberta thing but the songs focus on partying (This Afternoon, Rockstar) and sex (Shakin' Hands, Animals, and the amusingly dirty Something In Your Mouth complete with girls in the audience being given bananas and suckers) may not change the world, but is identifiable because they are things people think about.

At times the show dragged. Every time I've seen the band, there's been t-shirt cannons and that segment went on way to long. There are some clichés like the extended drum solo (although giving credit where due, Adair is a phenomenal drummer), promoting pot and drinking a lot on stage. At times Kroeger seemed more focused on drinking Jaegerbombs than singing. But it's what they do, and those around me seemed to love every second of it.

Another criticism which I am sure is fired at the band, is their frequent enjoyment of the saying the F-word. "Are you having a good fucking time?!" The parents of the multitudes of teens and tweens probably didn't. "What is this world coming to, when kids hear that from rock stars?" Funnily, people said the same thing 20 years ago when myself and other teens were listening to Metallica and Gun's N Roses. We're all fine and these kidlets will be fine as well.

After an evening that saw hits, covers (brief snippets of Friends In Low Places, Dude Looks Like A Lady, Don't Stop Believing and Wanted Dead Or Alive) and a finale that included Gotta Be Somebody, Someday and Figured You Out, the audience was drained but happy. Having bands Sick Puppies, Breaking Benjamin and Shinedown all on the bill meant those there from the beginning got 4.5 hours of music - a pretty good value.

So you can mock me for liking Nickelback. Go ahead and mock the band. Live, they are one of the most entertaining shows you can see (if you are a fan) and they give concertgoers value for their hard earned dollar. Their type of music and show is similar to what bands like Motley Crue have been doing for decades. I am sure the thought of many more years of Nickelback make some cringe, but for the 13,000+ in attendance, they can't wait for more.