Rascal Flatts brought their Summer Playlist Tour to the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater on May 17. Despite the undeniable warm weather, the venue packed a crowd from the pits to the back of the lawn.
The tour features different supporting acts on various dates and St. Louis got a taste of Jimmie Allen, rising country star with hits such as “Best Shot,” and “Underdogs.” Allen’s style was fresh and stayed true to modern country beats making his set easy to dance to. He surprised fans by jumping off stage and running all the way back to the lawn, shaking hands and greeting people along the way. Allen sported a purple bandana tied to his belt loop in memory of his late grandmother, Betty, who’s name is also written across his guitar strap.
Billy Currington took the stage right at sunset and took us back through time with a range of hits from “Good Directions,” to “People Are Crazy.” He embraced the party crowd with his beer drinking classics, as well as his smoother romantic jams.
Rascal Flatts opened with their 2002 ballad “These Days.” They rolled out many of their throwbacks throughout the night and threw in several surprise covers – such as Maroon 5’s “This Love,” and Foreigner’s “Feels Like The First Time.”
Multiple times they teased fans by scrolling through a playlist, making them guess which hit they would play next. The crowd screamed song titles that appeared on the large screens and go crazy whenever a song was selected.
Lots of participation was encouraged by the band to help sing and dance along and the crowd was all for it. Most notable was bringing a bashful young girl on stage to help sing “Life is a Highway,” or the cell phones lighting up the amphitheater during “Bless the Broken Road.”
Taking a small break to honor the men and women of our military, they brought some members out on stage to recognize and thank.
The band tossed in a three song encore complete with a burst of streamers and finished with “Here’s To You,” a song dedicated to their fans who support their dreams of touring.
The Summer Playlist tour just kicked off and showcased Rascal Flatts’ ability to put on a show for their fans and keep their throne in country music.
