This was the first Rascal Flatts concert for me and I am quite sure it will not be the last. I have nothing to compare their performance to, so you'll have to put up with me gushing about how incredible the night was. I'm sure all the members of the Dog Pound won't mind one little bit, right?
If you're not one of those people who listens to entire CDs and learns the unreleased songs, or you don't even own Feels Like Today than you may not know the opening song "Where You Are." Some would argue that kicking off a show with a relatively unknown song isn't the greatest idea, but if you can deliver it with the right amount of energy and passion I don't think it really matters what you start with, and Rascal Flatts did just that.
They followed up the opener with several hits from the past including "Love You Out Loud" and "I Melt." Throughout the set the guys wandered up and down the catwalk getting closer to the audience. I absolutely loved the stage set up. The stage itself was huge with lots of room for the guys and their band to move around, and then there was the catwalk that came out into the audience and then over to both sides. Having it set up this way allowed so many more people to be up close and personal, rather than just the closest seats to the stage.
The guys took a bit of a break early on and Jay DeMarcus started talking to the crowd. I had no idea how funny this guy is! He was going on about how there were so many women in the crowd and only like 4 men in the entire audience. Maybe that was a little bit of an exaggeration, but the men certainly were out numbered.
Between songs Gary stopped to talk to a little girl up by the stage. He asked how old she was, I believe she was 8. Then he told her that Joe Don was going to be her new boyfriend and made Joe Don come over and meet her. Jay got a good jab in when he joked to Joe Don that "by the time she's old enough to date you, you'll be the one in diapers." After about 5 songs Jay showed his instrumental versatility when they brought out a second set of drums and he and the drummer put on a show. He followed this up by doing a cover of "Hotel California" by the Eagles. This was the first time I had heard Jay sing lead and he definately has a terrific voice. Joe Don was up next and he sang a song from the new album Me and My Gang called "Cool Thing." It was really nice to see the other two show off their talent and sing lead.
After one more song on the main stage the guys climbed on this small moving platform and were transported to the back of the floor for a little while. The guys joked around for a bit, singing a couple rock covers such as "Jesse's Girl," then did a touching rendition of "Skin." This song was actually a hidden track on their Feels Like Today album that became so popular it was released as a single and almost made it to the top of the charts.
The one thing that really stood out for me was how Rascal Flatts made such an effort be be closer to the fans. Using the catwalk and the satellite stage gave more fans the opportunity to be right "up front." Gary even left the catwalk and walked down into the audience at one point. You can tell that this group is very appreciative of their fans. It shines through in their performance.
On the way back to the main stage they sang my personal favorite "I'm Movin On" and followed it up with a couple more of their hit ballads. I found myself asking "just how many instruments does this guy play?" when Jay stepped up to the piano for "Bless the Broken Road."
There were lots of memorable moments and jokes between songs. If you are the type that doesn't enjoy a lot of talking between songs than you might not enjoy this show as much, but there's no way you can keep from laughing as the guys cut up. It's impossible not to laugh when Gary makes a sad attempt at something that is supposed to resemble dancing! Gary made one young woman in Florida's night when he took a cell phone from a friend of mine at the stage and sang right into it. Jaime, I can't even imagine how cool that would be, I'm so happy for you!
The last song before the encore was probably my favorite of the night. If you have never heard the song "Here's to You" I highly recommend it. I think it explains exactly how Rascal Flatts feels about their fans and it definitely describes how us fans act watching our favorite singers in concert.
Before the guys came back out on stage for the encore the starting clip to the video "What Hurts the Most" played on the big screen. This is probably the most powerful video Rascal Flatts have made and I got goosebumps watching it and then hearing them sing the song live.
It was a perfect ending to the night when they closed with "Life is a Highway" which was originally done by a Canadaian, Tom Cochrane. I brought a Canadian flag with me and the ladies standing beside me helped hold it up. Gary come over and got it, then put it over his shoulders for the last little bit of the song and returned it to us after.
I always try to listen to what other people had to say about the show, either on the radio, or by talking to people I know who were there. I would say that 99% of the comments I have heard were extremely positive. Rascal Flatts definitely made their mark on Canadian soil and I can't wait until they come and visit us again!
Rascal Flatts Set List:
- Where You Are
- Love You Out Loud
- I Melt
- Me and My Gang
- Feels Like Today
- Hotel California
- Cool Thing
- Mayberry
- Skin
- I'm Moving On
- Bless the Broken Road
- My Wish
- These Days
- Fast Cars and Freedom
- Here's to You
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Encore:
- ]What Hurts the Most
- Life is a Highway