Only a couple of months in since the release of their 8th studio effort titled “Changed,” Rascal Flatts, along with opener Little Big Town, made their way through the Western New York area with a stop at Darien Lake Amphitheater.
Little Big Town, who we just reviewed back in April 2012, still amazes me with how well their harmonies are. The group did mix up the set lists this time, as they are an opener and not headlining. The band is waiting to release their 5th studio album later this fall. If you haven’t seen LBT, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook all take turns taking the lead vocals and all play equal parts in sharing the spotlight. It was cool to see the song “Boondocks” light up as they went into their finale of the evening. They pushed Flatts to make sure they delivered the goods as LBT delivered in every sense of the word!
The trio Rascal Flatts came out to an array of light bulbs that dropped from the ceiling and played the title track to their latest offering “Changed.” The extend stage went into the first part of the pit where the band constantly walked around and slapped hands with the audience members.
A fun part of the show was when the band actually walked around and took a few requests from the crowd. Vocalist Gary LeVox explained that putting together a set list for a tour is the hardest part of touring because you won’t satisfy everyone. So a three song medley of “I’m Moving On,” “Where You Are,” and “Prayin’ for Daylight,” were nice additions to whet the diehard fans palette. Someone gave a small baby, yes baby, to LeVox to hold up during the tune “I Won’t let Go.”
The openers joined Rascal Flatts for the encore of Grand Funk Railroad’s “We’re an America Band.” All vocalists took turns singing leads and it was a whole lotta fun, providing an entertaining end to the show; not for just the bands, but the fans in attendance as well!
Rascal Flatts Set List:
Changed
Summer Nights
Fast Cars & Freedom
These Days
Here Comes Goodbye
Hot in Here
I’m Moving On (medley-took request from crowd)
Where You Are(medley-took request from crowd)
Prayin’ for Daylight (medley-took request from crowd)
Stand
Why Wait
Broken Road
I Won’t Let Go
Violin solo
Guitar solo
Me & my Gang
Life is a Highway (Tom Cochrane cover)
Here’s to You
Encore:
What Hurts the Most
American band (Openers joined in- Grand Funk Railroad cover)
Little Big Town Set List:
Front Porch Thing
Little White Church
Bones
Pontoon
Your Side of the Bed
Sober
Born This Way (Lady Gaga cover)
Bring it on Home
Tornado
Self Made
Boondocks
We would like to thank Tim Tobin for his assistance in helping BackstageAxxess to review the show.
