WILKES-BARRE TWP. - The guys from Rascal Flatts know how to connect with their ever-lovin' audience.
The country stars built participation opportunities into their "Changed Tour" stop Thursday at the Mohegan Sun Arena with special guests the Band Perry and Kristen Kelly.
Rascal Flatts - Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney - emerged to an almost-packed house from inside rectangular columns of lights that pulsed to their vocals. The trio jumped right into the party with an up-tempo invitation to escape - "Banjo," off their 2012 album "Changed."
During an interval, they brought up the houselights to get a look at the audience and ask for song requests so everyone had a chance to hear their favorite Rascal Flatts song.
During the night, they also slowed things down for ballads like "Come Wake Me Up" from their newest album, and "My Wish" and "Stand" from their 2006 album "Me and My Gang."
The down notes? Making out Mr. LeVox's vocals proved tough at times - not a problem for those fans who knew all the words, however. The band's singing of their tour sponsor's jingle, Farmer's Insurance, also came off as forced and unnatural.
The arena shook with dubstep-like vibrations before the Band Perry took the stage prior to Flatts' performance. Siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry received a hearty welcome from the crowd with an energetic opener, before settling down slightly for songs like "You Lie," "All Your Life" and "Postcards from Paris."
As they introduced themselves, the group made an allusion to a Northeast Pennsylvania claim to fame - Scranton-set television show "The Office" and character Dwight Schrute.
"I'm Reid, the regional manager for the Band Perry," Reid Perry said. His brother followed with "I am Neil, and I am assistant to the regional manager to the Band Perry."
Contact the writer: kgaydos@citizensvoice.com