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Pete Yorn Pete Yorn finishes warming up the crowd after Remy Zero. Click Here to See the Concert Collage! By Mary Williams Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Every good concert has its high points – those moments that remain as mental video loops in the viewer’s brain long after the last act leaves the stage.

Sunday night of KROQ’s two-day Almost Acoustic Christmas concert at Universal Amphitheatre boasted a lineup that provided plenty of these moments, although the six-hour show had its share of low points as well.

Coldplay’s performance, which was pushed up from the seventh of 10 slots to the fourth in part of a shuffle caused by No Doubt’s last-minute inclusion at the show, was one of these standout sets. Flooded in yellow light, the audience sang along with the British band’s hit “Yellow,” as lead singer Chris Martin hopped around on one foot, and then on two, playing his acoustic guitar. The whole audience was standing, with bobbing heads illuminated by the glowing light.

Fast forward to the Foo Fighters’ set-closing rendition of “Everlong,” which frontman Dave Grohl played alone on an acoustic guitar (one of only a few nods to the “Acoustic” part of the concert title). From the sound of it, everyone in the amphitheater knew the lyrics to the song, which over the past few years has been popular on KROQ in both its plugged-in and unplugged versions. As Grohl sang quietly, almost whispering some words, the soft sound of thousands of voices filled the venue and revealed the crowd in one of its most united moments of the evening.

A few bands later, Staind performed an all-acoustic set, which was under-appreciated by much of the audience. Singing songs that were melancholy and quiet, frontman Aaron Lewis mellowed the mood in the amphitheater while still maintaining a passionate vocal style. The band created another sing-along moment with “Outside,” during which much of the crowd again added their voices to those of the men onstage.

While Staind’s own songs were done justice by the set, the highlight was a cover of Tool’s “Sober,” also played acoustic. “Outside” was beautiful but expected, while “Sober” was just damn cool.

In between these high points, though, were the low ones. Nickelback proved to be obnoxious, particularly its abrasive lead singer Chad Kroeger, whose idea of a good time seems to be purposelessly screaming at the audience in a voice even more raw than the one he uses as he sings.

No Doubt’s surprise set, replacing drop-outs Travis, would have been better had singer Gwen Stefani not turned into a pop star since the band’s amazing performance at last year’s Almost Acoustic Christmas. Her independent success (working with artists like Eve and Moby) has changed her persona, to the extent that she seemed more like Pink than the Gwen that KROQ fans know and love.

The group played only two songs from its new album, “Rock Steady,” burying its latest synth-pop dance monstrosity “Hey Baby” in the middle of the set and premiering “Hella Good” near its end. Stefani, while an energetic frontwoman, surprisingly lost her connection with the crowd at some points, especially during the new material.

The other bands, openers Remy Zero, their tour mate Pete Yorn, and heavyweights 311, Bush and Linkin Park, who closed the show, each had their share of successes.

Remy Zero and Pete Yorn were simply out of their league in this venue, which was too big and impersonal for their music.

311, Bush and Linkin Park, as expected, connected with the audience and served their purpose well, although there were few surprises during their sets.

Ultimately, though, only the best and worst will sustain on those video loops in the viewer’s memory, much like each year’s Christmas presents. In this case, Nickelback took the role of the offensively ugly tie no one wants, and Coldplay and Foo Fighters were the dream gifts everyone asks for.