Less than an hour after the Wallfowers left the stage at Liberty Hall, bassist Greg Richling stood outside Liberty Hall on Massachusetts Street. He shifted his weight between his legs, obviously tired from the evening’s show.

Lingering fans talked with him as the band waited for equipment to be loaded into the bus.

“We really enjoy this town,” Richling said as he gazed down the street. “We were here about 10 years ago and wanted to come back.”

The Wallflowers are one of many bands that have made stops in Lawrence. The reason the bands come is generally the same. Lawrence loves music.

Big Metal Rooster, from Lawrence, has played for hundreds of fans throughout the country, but band members said Lawrence had the best fans.

“This town really has a great love for music and different types of it,” said Derek Hein, bassist for Big Metal Rooster. “Coming back to Lawrence is great. People welcome you back like it’s home.”

Intimacy is a major selling point for bands and fans. Students can often get closer to the bands they love. Many bands will even go out in the city to hang out with their fans.

“The closeness and intimacy make the shows in Lawrence the best,” said Cameron Lauer, Seneca junior. “Even if you’re in the front row of Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, you’re still not as close and the scene is not as intimate.”

Kyle Riabko, opening act for the Wallflowers, said Liberty Hall reminded him less of a concert and more of a “town meeting.”

Although Lawrence does bring in a variety of bands, many larger bands do not frequent the town. Many more popular bands bypass Lawrence for Kansas City.

“I think we kind of have a reputation as an indie rock city,” Lauer said. “But I think whoever comes enjoys the atmosphere of the town.”

Aside from the Wallflowers, Lawrence has been frequented by other popular bands such as the Flaming Lips, the Pat McGee Band and John Mayer in the last five years.

“The question isn’t, why did we come to Lawrence, the question is why didn’t we come back sooner,” Richling said.