The ATLiens landed in Chicago Thursday night.

OutKast, the Atlanta-based rappers who led the South onto the hip-hop scene with songs such as “Elevators” and “ATLiens,” performed at Northwestern’s A&O Ball Thursday night at the Riviera, 4746 N. Racine Ave.

The event drew a crowd of about 1,000 people, more than twice the number of last year’s event. Organizers said they were happy with the turnout.

“The crowd was pumped the whole time,” said Joshua Pool, director of concerts for A&O. “There was a lot of energy.”

Chicago rapper Common opened the show, performing a medley of songs including tracks from albums such as “Like Water for Chocolate” and “Resurrection.” Pool said A&O enjoyed the chance to showcase an up-and-coming rap talent.

“I thought it would be good exposure for Common,” he said. “We’re getting him on the upswing.”

OutKast, comprising rappers Dre and Big Boi, took the stage following Common’s set. They performed songs spanning their entire career, including “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik” and “Wheelz of Steel.” They closed out their set with the hit single “Rosa Parks.”

The crowd responded enthusiastically to both Common and OutKast, drawing compliments from the artists.

“I love the energy here,” Big Boi told the audience.

While OutKast’s show ended on schedule at about 10:30 p.m., some students said they wished the set had been longer.

“Awesome, really good, just short,” said Weinberg sophomore Adam Ross. “What they did was definitely quality, just not enough quantity. It was good because there were definitely more people here than last year.”

Pool said students were simply asking for more of a good thing.

“I think everybody enjoyed it and that’s why they wanted more,” he said.

Craig Press, a McCormick sophomore, said he hopes for more NU-sponsored shows as successful as Thursday’s concert.

“That was the best show I’ve ever seen here,” he said. “It brought a diverse crowd and a great time. It showed what the school can do with enough funding.”

Weinberg freshman Winston Blake said he has been a fan of OutKast for a long time and enjoyed seeing them in concert.

“I loved the show,” he said. “I’m from Texas so I grew up listening to them. I just connected with them.”

Pool said the success of A&O shows this year, such as Ani DiFranco, The Roots and OutKast, will result in more concerts in the future.

“As a result of the way things have gone this year, it’s only going to get better and better,” he said.