Rascal Flatts Opening Show At The Hard Rock Hotel - WAY COOL!

Award-winning music group Rascal Flatts celebrated the beginning of its Rascal Flatts Vegas Riot! residency with a grand arrival at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and a high-energy performance at The Joint on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Rascal Flatts Vegas Riot! continues at The Joint Feb. 27 – 28 and March 4, 6 – 7, 11 and 13 – 14.

The event kicked off with the renowned Foothill High School Marching Band as they marched out to one of Rascal Flatts’ No. 1 songs “Fast Cars and Freedom” in front of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s iconic guitar. Once in position, Rascal Flatts band members, Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, revved the engines of NASCAR petty cars and burned out past hundreds of screaming fans, signaling the beginning of their residency in true Sin City style, courtesy of Richard Petty Driving Experience.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Vice President of Entertainment Chas Smith and AEG Live Las Vegas’ Vice President of Booking Bobby Reynolds welcomed Rascal Flatts onto the stage. Smith and Reynolds presented the group with an official proclamation from Clark County, which declared Wednesday, Feb. 25 as “Rascal Flatts Vegas Riot! Day.”

“Tonight’s the big opener, and we’re thrilled to death to be at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and to be the first country residency at The Joint,” said LeVox. “…we’d love to have you come out. I don’t think you’ve ever seen us before like this Riot tour.”

Following, Rascal Flatts presented Travis Pardee, the director of bands at Foothill High School, with a giant $5,000 check for the high school’s music program and to thank the students for their hard work. The donation was made on behalf of Rascal Flatts, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and AEG Live Las Vegas. The trio concluded the event by posing for photos with the race cars, signing autographs and leading the marching band through The Joint’s front doors.

That evening, Rascal Flatts took the stage for the first concert of its nine-show residency. The packed house went wild as the band played top hits such as “Riot,” “Mayberry,” “Bless the Broken Road,” “Me and My Gang,” and many more. High-definition video displays, large LED screens, colorful lights, incredible solo breaks and covers like Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” completed the night of pure entertainment. The guys came back to the limelight for a bursting encore, playing “Life is a Highway” as fans danced along.

“We’re going to be here for three weeks,” exclaimed DeMarcus. “ Vegas will never be the same.”

Tickets start at $39.50 (plus applicable service fees) and can be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel box office, by calling 888.9.AXS.TIX or online at www.axs.com/rascalflattsvegas. For VIP ticket packages including premium seating options, please contact jointvip@hrhvegas.com. For groups of 12 or more, please call 702.693.4017 or contact darson@hrhvegas.com.

Concert photo credit: Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik Photography/erikkabik.com