Tom Petty didn't disappoint.

After more than 30 years and 50 million albums sold, Petty & the Heartbreakers are not only still relevant in today's music but can still rock — and sell.

Not many musicians continue to sell out stadiums at the peak of their careers, much less at 57 years old.

My friend Rachel and I went to the Highway Companion Tour in 2006 and were excited to share the Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers experience with the others.

Four friends and I made the short trek to the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek in Raleigh July 12 with a grill, some chicken and sides and a couple of stocked coolers.

We tailgated for a few hours, and had a big complaint — there was a total lack of port-a-potties in the nine parking lots outside of the venue. Needless to say, we were very glad that I had thought ahead and brought a roll of toilet paper.

We didn't get to hear much of the opening act Steve Winwood — we were too busy waiting in lines buying t-shirts, using the bathroom.

We'd barely settled into the middle of the lawn a little after 9 p.m. when Petty opened the show with a rousing rendition of "You Wreck Me."

The energy from the 18,000 fans was infectious. Even fans older than Petty himself were grooving on their blankets, and everyone was singing at the top of their lungs to classic hits like "I Won't Back Down," "Free Fallin'," "Mary Jane's Last Dance," "Breakdown," and "You Don't Know How It Feels."

In the middle of the show, the group played "Sweet William," a little-known bluesy track, and "End of the Line," an oldie from The Traveling Wilburys. When Petty gave the band introductions: Mike Campbell; Benmont Tench; Ron Blair; Scott Thurston and Steve Ferrone; and happily described the crowd as "out of control."

After "Refugee," the stage went dark, but not for long. The band bestowed a thumping "Runnin' Down a Dream," a gentle "Mystic Eyes" cover and finally the timeless and energetic "American Girl" as their encore songs.

"Don't Come Around Here No More," "Learning to Fly," and "Saving Grace" were my personal favorites of the night.

I don't know if it's because Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers are truly my favorite group, but this show was amazing; the best concert I've ever been to. So next time you get a chance to see them, go. And you'll be singing "buy me a drink, sing me a song, take me as I come because I can't stay long!" for days to come.