Greetings from the fine town of Houston, Texas, PopWatchers, where I am currently holed up in my parents’ guest room and getting ready to hit the rodeo with my mom (more on that tomorrow). Later this week, I’m borrowing the family Saturn to drive up to Austin for South by Southwest, where I’ll be blogging regularly, just for you — think Sundance, but drunker more music-oriented.
But last weekend, an elaborate series of events took me to Las Vegas and plopped me down in the middle of an event that even my country-loving, native-Texan brain could barely comprehend: Rascal Flatts and their "Me and My Gang" Tour. During NASCAR weekend. In Vegas. It was like the All-Star game for white folk, and I was there, PopWatchers, nearly trembling with excitement over this perfect confluence of events.
Anyone out there ever been to a Rascal Flatts concert? Show of hands, please. Okay, I’m gonna ask you, then:
Um… did you like it? I really, really did not. Now, I like some of their songs okay, and "What Hurts the Most" a lot — I figure they’re basically the Nickelback of country music, right? — but what I watched this weekend was inexcusable, friends. As I try to explain that here, I hope those of you who just raised your hands will keep open hearts and minds and then use the comment section to try and educate me in your ways. Because I’ve never seen a worse show in my entire life.
Now, I was raised in the era of Garth Brooks, so seeing artists trying to turn country music into a spectacle is nothing new for me. I don’t mind the occasional flashpot or crazed leap from a ramp, and I am even willing to embrace headset mikes on burly men as a necessary evil. So when I saw the massive spaceship of a set sprawled out before me at the Mandalay Bay events center, I assumed I’d be witnessing that Garth Brooksian sort of showmanship.
The show opened with a well-received set by up-and-comer Jason Aldean (he’s the reason I was in town; watch the magazine for more, country fans!), who slapped on his tight Levis and curled-brim cowboy hat and performed energetic versions of his biggest hits: "Amarillo Sky," "Hicktown," "Why," and new single "Johnny Cash." He and his carefully coiffed band also blazed through two faithful Guns n’ Roses covers, setting a tone that would be repeated throughout the night: Just because we’re country doesn’t mean we can’t RAWK.
But while Aldean’s band chose to RAWK via a rippin’ rendition of "Paradise City," Rascal Flatts showed up and immediately demonstrated that RAWKing to them meant "KISS concert." This stuff started from the very beginning of the show: The lights went out! The Flatts appeared, silhouetted behind a smoky curtain as a robotic voice counted down from five! A big boom! The curtain vanishes! And… there they are! Eeeeeeeeeeee! From there, it was two hours of video screens and shooting sparks and flashy lighting and confetti cannons and a metal gondola that carried them from one end of the venue to the other. (Believe me, PopWatchers: When I came back from getting another beverage to see the three Flatts boys in a steel cage, hovering above the heads of the squealing people, I just about walked out right then and there.)
Once I got over my fit of the giggles, I tried to focus on the music, but so many things were making it hard. First, the sound was horrible, and the vocals were so muddy I couldn’t understand a word lead singer Gary LeVox (pictured) was saying. I later learned he was sick as a dog, so they may have tweaked the levels to cover this, but from out in the house, it just came across as badness. Of course, if you know every word and are singing along at the top of your lungs, you tend not to notice that sort of thing. On the songs where I knew the words — "What Hurts the Most," the lovely harmonies of "Broken Road," "Stand," "These Days," and that infernal cover of "Life is a Highway" — I found my toes tapping along, while being simultaneously horrified at what was happening before me.
Over the course of the show, I’d estimate that 95 percent of my consciousness was occupied trying to keep my corneas from burning to death on the 8 billion video screens that made up the set. Not that there’s anything new about running nature footage behind your stage while you play — the Dixie Chicks were doing that back on the Fly tour — but these screens were so high-def and so cheesy I couldn’t tear myself away. It’s as if they hired whoever shoots the footage for karaoke videos and gave them an unlimited budget, or spent too much time down at the Peppermill. (Inside joke for you Vegas lovers there.)
And when the screens weren’t showing us a waterfall or a beautiful woman dancing on a beach, they were showing us… Rascal Flatts’ own videos! That’s right: On at least three occasions, the band played a song in perfect sync with what gets shown on CMT, making me wonder why these people paid hundreds of dollars to be there when they could have stayed home and watched CMT in their pajamas, and gotten the same performance. I don’t know about you, but I like to hear a little musicianship in my live shows. Otherwise, it’s like someone pushed play on a really big CD, and then charged me $9 for beer.
On top of that, they forced me to sit through: A drum battle; covers of "Summer of ‘69," "Jesse’s Girl," and "Hotel California" (causing me to wonder if it shouldn’t be called the "Me and My First Guitar Lesson" Tour); something called "Joe Don Time"; an appearance by Uncle Kracker, who sang all of "Drift Away," almost on key; and a long reenactment of a girl on the phone planning to come to the RF show and talking to her boyfriend, performed by bassist Jay DeMarcus.
But what finally sold me on the fact that this particular emperor has no clothes was watching Gary perform. I understand that Mr. LeVox (not his real last name) was sick. But I also understand that the show must go on. Instead, what I saw him doing was strolling around the stage at a speed so slow I generally reserve it for museums. They’d built him a sort of half-Bono ramp that extended out into the floor crowd (hmm… isn’t Bono’s fake last name Vox, too?), and he’d stroll down to the end of the left side of that and shake some hands, turn, wander back over to the right side, shake some hands. During "My Wish," he pulled a suspiciously pretty little girl out of the crowd (hmm… doesn’t Bono sometimes pull girls out of the crowd, too?), and the two of them strolled down the left side of the ramp and shook some hands, then strolled over to the other side and shook some hands. Sometimes Gary would hold the mic "out" to the crowd to encourage them to sing; he indicated this by cocking his wrist and sort of drooping the microphone towards the audience. I don’t believe I saw him run once. I did, however, see him sit down. It was like watching sound check. It was insulting.
Garth Brooks, it should be said, would never have settled for that sort of behavior.
I’m gonna stop now, because I’m just making myself angry again. So I’m opening things up to you, PopWatchers: What am I missing? Are we all so starved for entertainment that we’re willing to watch an average band put on a mediocre performance with cliched special effects, and call it amazing? I know the people in the stands were having fun — they never did stop squealing — and a very drunk casino manager next to me said this was the best concert they’d ever had in that venue, better than Madonna. I almost choked to death on my $9 beer at that point.
At the end of the show, Rascal Flatts climbed back up to the top of their spaceship stage and disappeared behind a booming cloud of smoke. It reminded me less of Garth Brooks and more of the Wicked Witch of the West, and I am now wondering if the title of their previous album (Melt) was more symbolic than anyone knew. Should I meet Rascal Flatts in the future, I may try to pour a little water on them, just to see — because if what I saw Saturday night is the best they’re planning to do with their massive fame and devoted fan base, I don’t think they deserve any of it. Let’s give it to someone who’s willing to at least pretend like they care. Because trust me: The fans really, really do. And that’s not something anyone should take lightly, or for granted.
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Wow. So, I saw them many years ago, as the featured performers at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, in lovely Gilroy, California (Garlic Capital of the World), and there wasn’t a video screen in sight. I don’t remember too much of the performance, except that they also did a cover of “Jesse’s Girl”, but recasting it as “Bubba’s Girl” (sample lyric: “Why can’t I find a cousin like that”) and seemed lively and fun and generally happy to be there.
I’m not sure how much the beer cost, but you could get a sample of garlic ice cream for free. I didn’t.
I *could* tell you Gary’s real last name, but fear any sort of lawsuit that might bring on my head.
My sweet Whitney Pastorek, I saw you on some video of AI coverage and you are beautiful, anyway the NASAL FLATTS are the worst group of any genre out there, I am a country music first and everytime radio plays anything by them I just turn it off, Gary Le Vox Nasal sound is so awful I just can’t understand why Nashville supports them so much…if you are looking for musicianship go to the Dixie Chicks concert and see the three girls give it their all with their voices and their instrument-playing…the fact that Nashville hypes this group shows you how low the level of music coming from Nashville has reached. God bless the Dixie Chicks, SugarLand and Brooks & Dunn for being the real deal!!!!!!!!!!Bless your heart Pastorek for actually staying through the whole concert!!!!!!
Heidi – a local radio personality here in LA – saw them a few years ago and also HATED the show too.
I can’t say anything about the show itself, but your review was HILARIOUS. Thank you.
First off, the video screens are AWESOME!
Secondly, I’ve seen Rascal Flatts in concert 20x now, and they have never disappointed me.
Thirdly, how dare you accuse Rascal Flatts of not giving their fans their best! The fans are #1 with these guys. They’re one of the few acts out there who has NEVER failed to thank the fans for every achievement they’ve ever had. Did you know they let 30 fan club members backstage at every show? Can you name any other artist of approximately the same popularity that does that!?! They go out there and give it all they can every night. Gary’s usually very energetic, so whatever illness he’s battling must really be wearing him down.
Finally, I hope you don’t think you’re the first to write a bad review about Rascal Flatts. You’re not the first, and you won’t be the last. What you’ve said has all been said before, yet has it hurt their popularity in any way? NO! Why? In the words of Joe Don, “the fans get it. That’s all that matters.”
Ernesto – if Rascal Flatt’s are really as awful as you claim, than how do you explain that they were the top album-selling group of 2006??
Oh that’s right, they don’t care what you think!!! They care about what sells records, and that my friend is the music business.
Thanks Whitney, for telling me what happened inside the venue. I was overwhelmed just seeing the number of Custom-Painted “Me + My Gang” 18-wheelers that brought all those gadgets into town here in Vancouver last week. I like country but am baffled by Rascal Flatts’ popularity — that singer in particular underwhelms me at every awards show. We may not be able to explain it, but it’s nice to know I’m not alone.
SXSW should be a lot more fun
I couldn’t agree more! I like their music, but seeing them live was the bigest disppointment of my life. There are so many super talented country acts with shows that get ignored, and Rascal Flatts are showing off a completly over-rated event, that doesn’t even sound as good as karaoke that I have heard.
If you want a good country show, try Brad Paisly, George Straight, or heck even Carrie Underwood (one of the better concerts I saw last year!)
wow. one of the best bits of music journalism in a long time
I saw Rascal Flatts open for Jo Dee Messina just after their first single was released. They were so unimaginably terrible in concert, I thought, there’s no way these guys are going to make it. Well…
There is so much excellent country music out there–Lucinda Williams, Old Crow Medicine Show, Tift Merritt, Shelby Lynne, Chris Thile, Julie Roberts. It’s a shame they only play the worst of it on the radio.
The last thing we need to do as Country Fans, is rip poor reviews to concerts. Like anyone…we all have bad days. Even Country Stars and those who work for them. I was not there..but our radio station welcomed them to town in Febuary, and they were teriffic. All the reporter talked about…our fans loved..and the songs,effects and videos were super too. I am just guessing some rock supporter love bashing country. We just have to live with it. The rockers wish they could CLAIM Garth. Sorry…he’s ours.
Hey, Whitney. Sorry you missed Los Lonely Boys last week as it was a great show here at the rodeo (especially from a cushy skybox).
I don’t think you’ll be proclaiming the acoustics to be the best at Reliant, but what can you do at the Houston Rodeo, after all.
I have never been to a Rascall show or heard their music but you actually made me want to go. It sounded like someone put thought into the sets and the show and it sure sounded like that lead singer was very sick. Whitney, methinks you are a tightly wound sourpuss.
I totally agree. They sound so awful live, and I don’t think the slow walking had anything to do with Gary being sick. I think it has to do with needing to work out & build stamina! I realize they are top-selling artists; their albums sound great! It’s called “studio magic”!!! If you want to see a kick-butt show, go see Keith Urban in concert. He sounds BETTER in person than on his albums, & is a true entertainer. Oh, & he plays a mean guitar:)
Rascal Flats – the boyband of country music…
Saw Rascal Flatts in North Dakota years ago, when their first singles were getting airplay and their concert then was actually pretty decent. They did a Boston cover (thought I’d mention that in the aftermath of Brad Delp’s death last Friday) and sounded good… Gary nailed the high notes and they were very energetic and fun with the crowd. Having said that, I WILL agree with the fact that they’ve lately sounded mediocre at most of the awards shows… Early on they were good, not so much as of late. What gives Rascal Flatts??
The only Rascal Flatts song I like is “What Hurts the Most”. Other than that I can’t stand them. I mean that. They annoy me so much. And the lead singer sounds like a chipmunk. I would never pay to see them in concert and I wouldn’t go for free either.
“I like to hear a little musicianship in my live shows.” Ok, how about the fact that between the 3 RF guys, they can play a total of 10 instruments (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, acoustic bass, electric bass, mandolin, banjo, dobro, drums, keyboards, and piano)? Or how about that one time 300 people in the crowd held up signs requesting they do “Skin” (before it was released as a single and became part of their live show) and RF stopped, retuned their instruments, and did it perfectly?
“I don’t believe I saw him run once.” Since when does an artist have to run around stage to be considered entertaining?
“Garth Brooks, it should be said, would never have settled for that sort of behavior.” Who cares what Garth would have done? If you want to see Garth Brooks, go to a Garth Brooks concert (oh wait, he’s too busy selling albums at Wal-mart).
“I don’t think they deserve any of it.” Why, because you didn’t like their show? Newsflash! Their millions of fans would disagree.
I would just like to say that I was at this concert. It was my first Rascal Flatts concert. I thought it was great! It was a little hard to hear (it sounded muffled a little). But it was so entertaining. I loved the video screens and the gondola carrying them across the crowd. I think this review is way too critical. WOW! Who can help if they’re sick. I’m glad they didn’t cancel. I tried to go to TWO Celine Dion concerts and they were both cancelled because she was sick. SO dissapointing! So I think this review was very judgemental and harsh. I’m a devoted fan. I was there at the concert and had the best time! I think they tried their best and there were alot of screaming fans.
Rascal Flatts is everything bland, lame, and generic-lite-rock-wanna be that is currently wrong with the state of country music. Duh. But, Ms. Pastorek, you’re kidding yourself if you think Jason Aldean is any different. He’s just another generic beefcake sounding like no one and everyone at the same time. Just ’cause you’re being forced to write a positive-puff-piece about him for the magazine, suddenly he’s *way* more legitimate than Rascal Flatts? PLEASE! Where’s your REAL hipster cred? Slam him too!
Great review Whitney, you gave a gazillion reasons why the show was BAD and people are still giving you grief. Sick or not, the lead singer needs some serious cardio workouts. I’ve also heard the “studio magic” argument enough to know there’s probably some truth behind it. My condolences for your bad experience.
Unbelievable! Just look at the numbers. Look how many albums and concert tickets they’ve sold. And how many awards they won last year. That speaks volumes. Alot louder than these critics. But that’s the critic’s job…to be entertaining and shocking and extreme, right? I was at this concert and it was great. If you are a true fan, you would have loved it. It also angers me, about these “cardio” comments. Come on…grow up. We’re talking about singing. And why is it “insulting” because he didn’t run on stage??? I think these guys are great and so do how many millions more? These millions have got it right.
BW said: “It also angers me, about these “cardio” comments. Come on…grow up. We’re talking about singing.”
Yeah, and if you’ve ever sung professionally, you’d know you need to be in pretty great shape to put on an energetic show and still sound good. You don’t have to be thin or even fit by social standards, but you do have to be able to breathe properly and phrase well. We can always tell which singers are in shape up here in Denver–people who aren’t well-trained will start wheezing after two songs!
Great review, Whitney!
While RF is not my cup of tea, and I doubt I would attend a concert of theirs, I have to disagree that they are not fan-friendly. My cousin, a member of their fan club, got to meet them after a show and get a picture with them – not something that happens with every band that plays stadiums. I also think part of the allure of concerts is just being in the same room with the band – if you are a fan, you get caught up in the atmosphere and are more willing to overlook flaws in the performance. As a non-fan, you are detached and can be more critical, but of course you always hope you’ll be wowed – and when you’re not…well that doesn’t mean the fans weren’t.
I’m sure MADONNA will come up with a better concert than Rascal’s. Just buy a copy of the Confessions Tour DVD/CD and her performances will make you amazed by her talent.
The lead singer looks like an anteater.
Well Whitney, again I have to ask, did you get your tickets for free as an EW writer(Which would mean that you’re trying to pass yourself as a music fan rather than someone who’s paid to write about it), or did you have to pay? Having said that, I have no use for Rascal Flatts anyway; they’re about as ‘country’ as Kenny ROgers
I would have to agree with Pam and say that the guys are wonderful and they do put on an awsome show. I just think that since Gary was sick that is why they did not sound their best, but normaly they sound amazing in concert. I have seen them in concert alot of times and i plan on seeing them as long as they keep touring. I truly admire these wounderful men for what they have done not just with their music but also with their fans. They show each and every concert that they love and care about every single fan they have.
Rascal Flatts fans are funny! Just because cheese sells doesn’t mean it doesn’t give you gas.