In the last 13 years, the Foo Fighters have shifted from a mildly successful alternative pop act to alt-rock radio staples — with hits ranging from 1995’s “Big Me” to its recent single “The Pretender.” The band’s sold-out show in Binghamton, N.Y., on Friday proved how much the band has grown, with a large catwalk, intricate stage lights and four large video screens — reminiscent of a Rolling Stones setup. 

The first of two opening bands was the Gainesville, Fla., rock act, Against Me! Despite muddy sound, the band’s set was filled with well-crafted hooks from its fantastically melodic 2007 disc, “New Wave.”

System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian played next, touring as a solo performer while his band is on an indefinite hiatus. His set was less thrilling, with lackluster statement material such as “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition,” from his new disc, “Elect the Dead.” He ranted throughout the night about topics ranging from religion to what it would be like if Borat and Romeo and Juliet “made sexy time.”

Tankian’s set only created anticipation for the Foo Fighters, who began its set with “Let it Die,” off of its 2007 album,  “Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace.” Lead singer and guitarist Dave Grohl was in his arena-rock glory, the spotlight focused on him as he held his arms to the crowd during the slow-paced chorus, as though imitating Bruce Springsteen.

The band tore through “The Pretender,” Grohl smiling and head-banging on the catwalk, despite a hoarse voice. He later told the audience that since the band had never played Binghamton, they had “some catching up to do.” They did, with a set list that smartly and sparingly included the band’s singles catalog.

The four large screens behind the band added to certain songs; military images were projected during “The Pretender” and a fitting blue sky during “Learn to Fly.”

The Foo Fighters is one of the rare groups that has become progressively more popular since the mid ’90s, though its newer material is considerably weaker. Older songs, like 1999’s “Breakout,” sounded best not because of the performance, but because the songwriting is better than recent work.

An early highlight was a drawn-out take on “This is a Call,” which featured a blues-rock jam and dueling guitar solos between Grohl and rhythm guitarist Chris Shiflett, who won the mock battle.

Midway through the show the band played a surprisingly lengthy acoustic set, a trend it has followed since its 2005 half-acoustic disc “In Your Honor,” for which the band toured in small theaters.

Crowd participation peaked with an acoustic “My Hero,” though the true highlight was the laid-back “Marigold,” a Grohl-penned Nirvana b-side. The acoustic set overall, though,  didn’t work in such a large setting, with much of the audience talking through new tune “But, Honestly.”

The band was joined during the acoustic set by additional musicians including violinist Jessy Greene and former Nirvana guitarist Pat Smear, who smiled and smoked throughout the set, though was curiously the only person on stage not introduced.

During band introductions, the side musicians showcased their talents; Jessy Greene played a fiddle solo while percussionist Drew Hester ­— egged on by Grohl — provided a triangle solo. These moments were mildly entertaining but took up valuable playing time.

The show concluded with a short hit parade that included “Everlong” and “Monkey Wrench,” which extended into a drawn-out jam before the song’s climactic bridge. The band encored with the heavy “All My Life.”

Those who had seen the Foo Fighters in its late ’90s heyday likely realized the band has lost some of its likeable melodic punch in return for exposure. Still, when Gohl promised the band would be back in not five or ten years, “but soon,” the crowd roared.