Rascal Flatts, one of the most popular acts in country music, rolled into Darien Lake last Sunday with the latest edition of their “Rewind” tour. Joe Don Rooney, Jay DeMarcus, and Gary LeVox have been together since 2000 and have been a virtual hit machine. Nine albums have produced 26 top 20 singles, 16 tours and over 40 music awards. Their appeal has become global, with domination in the important 12 -25 year youth demographic.
The show started with a literal bang that has become the usual at a Rascal Flatts show. There was no shortage of flashes, bangs, smoke, lights and fireworks. The younger crowd welcomed the guys with screams as they broke into the first notes of “Payback” to open the show. Large video screens at the back of the stage flashed the lyrics as the trio rose up on an elevated rear stage. The screens are used to show various video clips as an appropriate backdrop to accompany every song. LeVox led the group through “Why Wait” and “Here Comes Goodbye” in his usual fine style, using his hands to gesture the words and direct the crowd sing-a-long that seems to happen on every song. This was a loyal crowd that greeted each song with cheers and loud singing that Levox lets finish many verses. Even “Rewind,” the latest single, found the crowd in full voice that almost sounded like a backing vocal.
The band ran through many hits like “These Days”, “What Hurts the Most”, “Stand” and “Fast Cars and Freedom” where LeVox and bassist DeMarcus traded lead vocals and stage positions. Their biggest hit, the Marcus Hummon penned, “Bless the Broken Road” followed with DeMarcus doing a little stage front comic preaching. “Banjo” found the crowd singing along again a little louder this time. DeMarcus then broke into a little act about girls in their “Daisy Duke’s” short shorts that had the crowd approving with giggles and screams. He then thanked the crowd for “laying down your hard-earned money” to buy albums, show tickets and band merchandise. No doubt, Rascal Flatts has realized the benefits of their loyal following.
The highlight of the show was the appearance of the band members at the front of the stage for the acappella versions of “Love You Out Loud” and the huge hit “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. They showed a great talent for the street corner, doo-wop style singing that was met with the usual crowd approval. LeVox exited the stage to “get a hot dog” but soon returned with Sheryl Crow to sing “Picture,” the hit song she recorded with Kid Rock. Sheryl stayed onstage to trade lead vocals with LeVox for “My Wish” which brought the whole crowd to their feet again, loudly singing along.
The band blasted into the Tom Cochrane hit “Life is a Highway,” joined onstage this time by opening act Gloriana and Crow to close the show. Encores of “Motley Crue’s “Kick Start My Heart” and “Me and My Gang” brought the constant shower of sparks, smoke, flares and fireworks. The band thanked the crowd for their support and military for their service and left the stage to the loudest screams of the night from a very satisfied audience.
Rascal Flatts setlist:
Payback Why Wait
Here Comes Goodbye
Rewind
These Days
What Hurts the Most
Stand
Fast Cars and Freedom
Bless the Broken Road
Banjo
Love You Out Loud (w/band)
Happy (Pharrell cover w/band)
Picture (Kid Rock cover w/Sheryl Crow)
My Wish (w/Sheryl Crow)
Summer Nights
DJ Tonight
Life is a Highway (w/Sheryl Crow and Gloriana)
Encore:
Kick Start My Heart (Motley Crue cover)
Me & My Gang
Sheryl Crow setlist:
All I Wanna Do
Real Gone
Can’t Cry Anymore
Give It to Me
Best of Times
Strong Enough
Redemption Day
If It Makes You Happy
Soak Up the Sun
Everyday Is a Winding Road
We would like to thank Ashley Ball from Live Nation for her assistance in helping BackstageAxxess review the show.
