Award-winning group Rascal Flatts performed sold out show at Parx Casino’s all-new Xcite Center
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Parx Casino was packed to the brim on the evening of Saturday, March 3, but it was easy to spot the individuals who weren’t there to gamble. Basically, anyone wearing plaid.
The night had finally arrived for Parx to welcome award-winning country music group Rascal Flatts to its all-new Xcite Center, which officially opened its doors in January. Tickets to see the trio sold out almost instantly when they went on sale in October, with passionate fans counting down the days ever since.
Doors opened promptly at 7 p.m. as 1,500 concert goers clambered into the venue to find their seats. As attendees filed into the rows, it was clear the band’s fan base is a diverse population — husbands and wives, parents with their millennial-aged children, and excitable groups of girlfriends sporting matching T-shirts from past Rascal Flatts tours.
A little after 8 p.m., the lights went down and the Xcite Center erupted in, well, excitement. Rascal Flatts, which consists of Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus, walked out on stage, exuding the laid back presence of three guys who have been doing this forever. Which they have.
Rascal Flatts made its musical debut in 2000 and has since sold more than 22.5 million albums and delivered 15 №1 singles to the top of the charts. Despite its major success, which also includes being the most awarded country group of the past decade, the band remains humble with a southern, guy-next-door vibe.
LeVox, the distinctive lead vocalist of Rascal Flatts, is the epitome of a front man. Rocking a simple black V-neck and jeans, he commanded the stage, moving from one side to the other to keep the entire crowd engaged.
As the band performed hits like “Yours If You Want It” and “Here Comes Goodbye,” the energy throughout the venue was a mixture. While some fans chose to sit down and silently take in the experience, many of the die-hards who live and breathe Rascal Flatts were on their feet the whole night, singing every lyric back to LeVox.
Midway through the concert, guitarist Rooney took things in a more intimate, stripped down direction. Taking over lead vocals for a bit, he performed a beautiful rendition of “Take It To The Limit” by the Eagles. Though LeVox is the well-known voice of Rascal Flatts, Rooney can hold his own.
During this portion of the show, the three gathered around DeMarcus and his piano to chat with the audience. Rooney explained that “Take It To The Limit” was one of the first songs they ever performed together as a band at a small club in Nashville’s Printers Alley.
“We knew right away we had something special, even if we were the only ones who ever got to hear it,” he said.
Though the club has since been closed, the same can’t be said for those three young artists who found their calling within its walls.
“They haven’t torn us down yet,” Rooney added.
The evening continued with more favorite hits including the Jeffrey Steele cover “What Hurts the Most,” the uptempo “Summer Nights” and the touching “My Wish.”
Even when Rascal Flatts wasn’t singing, it kept the audience entertained and, at many times, laughing. During a brief promotion for their upcoming Back To Us Tour this summer, the guys poked fun at the stature of their supporting act, fellow country group Dan + Shay.
“At the end of the summer, Shay takes off back to the north pole to build toys,” DeMarcus joked.
Levox even took selfies with multiple fans who were lucky enough to score tickets in the first few rows.
Though the band exited the stage for a brief moment around 9:30 p.m., the audience knew it wasn’t over just yet. As the iconic intro to “Bless the Broken Road” began to play, the trio returned to tug at some heartstrings one final time.
In true country concert fashion, Rascal Flatts ended the show with a bang, performing “Life Is A Highway.” Young and old fans alike were on their feet for this one, belting out the lyrics and enjoying every last minute of the night they waited so long to experience.
Parx Casino and its Xcite Center are located at 2999 Street Road in Bensalem. Visit parxcasino.com/xcitecenter for more information on upcoming shows.••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
