Country giants Rascal Flatts closed the 2014 season at Darien Lake with a bang. Accompanying Flatts were The Band Perry and newcomer Cassadee Pope.
Pope started the show and performed a very impressive 20-minute set. Pope, who is known for winning the 3rd season of “The Voice,” really showed a lot of promise in such a short amount of time. Getting ready to release her 1st full length studio effort titled, “Frame by Frame,” which will be released on October 8, 2013 on Republic Nashville, she belted out ‘Wasting All of These Tears.” This is her first single and it looks like the album could be one to look for.
The Band Perry was up next and I must admit, after seeing the band last summer for the first time, I was very interested to see what they would bring to the table. Well, after performing the opening track “Done,” this may be the best opening performance I have witnessed by any band in a long time. The trio (Kimberly, Neil, and Reid) incorporated elements of rock, country, dance, and blues all into one number and also choreographed their moves and the song came off as a show stoppper.
Besides the three Perry siblings, the band has a backing band that consists of 2 guitarists, a drummer and keyboardist. Neil payed the mandolin almost the entire set with his brother Reid on the bass. Kimberly had the spotlight on the Dolly Parton cover “I Will Always Love You” and her brother Neil took the vocals on the Queen cover “Fat Bottom Girls.” All in all this band is chomping at the bit to headline their own tour which will happen later this year.
The headliner Rascal Flatts had a lot to live up to. For starters, their production was better than last years set. They did play for a lengthy hour and 40 minutes, which also was a positive, and the band worked together seamlessly.
Rascal Flatts were never afraid to share the stage with other talent, as they did with Journey earlier this year, and they did same when they brought out Pope on the song “Easy.” One negative was the band opened up with a cover of Tom Cochrane’s “Life is a Highway.” I think a taste of a new song to go along with the new production would have given some of the fans something to look forward to when they eventually release their next disc. I did like how they brought up a kid to share the experience during the song “Bob That Head.” Overall, the package satisfied fans and that’s what matters most!
Rascal Flatts Set List:
Life is Highaway (Tom Cochrane cover)
Banjo
Here’s to You
This Everyday Love
Love You Out Loud
Prayin’ for Daylight
What Hurts the Most (Bruno Mars cover)
These Days
Mayberry
Why Wait
I’m Movin On/Easy (with Cassadee Pope)
Take Me There
I Melt
Stand
Me & My Gang
Bob That Head
Bless the Broken Road
Fast Cars & Freedom
Encore:
My Wish
Summer Nights
The Band Perry Set List:
Done
You Lie
Forever Mine
All Your Life
I Will Always Love You (Dolly Parton cover)
I’m a Keeper
Fat Bottom Girls (Queen cover)
Don’t let Me be Lonely
If I Die Young
Some Nights (Fun. cover)
Night Gone Wasted
Better Dig 2
Cassadee Pope Set List:
I Wish I Could Break Your Heart
Easier to Lie
Hold on Loosely (.38 Special cover)
Champagne
Wasting All of These Years
Good Times
