On the edge

Ah, the ’90s. Flannel, Doc Martens, mosh pits and an impressive number of bands with “the next big thing” written all over them.

In 1996 and 1997, UD students got a front-row seat to the era’s alternative music scene with EdgeFest. Sponsored by UD’s Student Government Association and Dayton radio station WXEG-FM 103.9, the festival took over what was known as UD Arena’s “backyard,” drawing big crowds and even bigger bands.

EdgeFest ’96 featured Flock of Seagulls, Poe and the Verve Pipe, while EdgeFest ’97 had performances by Jars of Clay, Veruca Salt, Sponge, Matthew Sweet and Kara’s Flowers (who would rebrand themselves as Maroon 5 in 2001).

There was plenty to do between sets, too: mechanical surfboard rides, in-line skating tricks and a Velcro wall.

Renamed X-Fest after the 1997 festival, it moved to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds until 2011, when it ultimately fizzled into concert lore.

For a few years, at least, UD had a pretty good soundtrack for the decade. No encore.

Photographs courtesy University Archives. 

A version of this article appears in print in the Autumn 2026 University of Dayton Magazine, Page 42. EXPLORE THE ISSUE — MORE ONLINE