Young — and sleek — country

Rascal Flatts is huge.

You could tell from the country/pop trio's big, big show Sunday night in the T-Dome. The sleek, mammoth production set a new record for video screens — dozens, in various shapes and sizes, all around the enormous stage, showing spectacular visuals of waterfalls, flames, snow, shape-shifting patterns, excerpts from the group's music videos and much more.

The eye-popping visuals also included showers — no, downpours — of pyro sparks and busy, bright lights flashing everywhere.

The most spectacular special effect was a flying platform that transported the three young-country idols from the main stage to a small one in the middle of the floor, giving nearly everybody a close-up view of the stars. The three played several songs there before catching the return flight to the big stage.

The crowd was overwhelmingly female, testimony to the Flatts' heart-tugging romantic ballads and to the band's sex symbol, hunky guitarist Joe Don Rooney. Ladies screamed whenever he took the spotlight. But the only girl he kissed was a little one in her mother's arms (awww).

Lead singer Gary LeVox's sweet voice also charmed the women, especially the many groups of young honky-tonk girls dancing the night away, as did bassist Jay DeMarcus' rambling chatter about how pretty they all were.

The constant stage business — also including a guest appearance by Seahawks kicker Josh Brown — helped make the generally derivative, formulaic tunes, crafted by professional Nashville songwriters, sound a little more interesting. Rascal Flatts and their five-piece backing band skillfully energized and expanded the songs, adding gloss and sheen.

Review

Sunday night at the Tacoma Dome

Lighted cellphones were held aloft during "Skin," a tear-jerker about a little girl with cancer. "What Hurts the Most," the Flatts' big crossover hit, ignited the crowd, as did "My Wish," their sixth No. 1 country single. Both came from the trio's "Me and My Gang" album, which has sold more than 3.4 million copies.

The show was opened by Jason Aldean, a more rough-hewn young-country star, and his five-piece band, who played a short, varied set topped by his big, rockin' hit, "Hicktown."

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com