David Lindquist | IndyStar

Video courtesy of Chris Tillery, @ChrisTillery

Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com

What safety concern prompted the abrupt end to the Rascal Flats concert Thursday night and hurried evacuation of Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center remained unclear only hours before another show was set to begin at the Noblesville venue Friday night.

Neither the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office nor the venue disclosed what the concern was at the amphitheater.

“As this is an open and active investigation, the Sheriff’s Office has no further details, including the type of safety issue, available for release at this time,” spokesman Bryant Orem said in an 11:34 a.m. Friday news release. No further updates were given.

Veteran rock stars Paul Rodgers and Jeff Beck were still scheduled to play the 24,000-capacity venue Friday night.

Fans of country-pop act Rascal Flatts were expecting a multisong encore about 15 minutes before an 11 p.m. noise curfew Thursday when the evacuation began.

{{props.notification}} {{props.tag}} {{props.expression}} {{props.linkSubscribe.text}} {{#modules.acquisition.inline}}{{/modules.acquisition.inline}} ... Our reporting. Your stories. Get unlimited digital access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now

"Due to a security concern at the show last night, standard procedures were quickly executed, and everyone was able to safely leave the building,” the band said on its Facebook page Friday morning. “The safety of our fans, band and crew is always the top priority for us, so we are so thankful for everyone who jumped into action and for your understanding. We will be back soon!"

Live Nation, the concert company that owns Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center, referred to Thursday’s evacuation as a “safety concern” in a written statement: “Venue staff and local officials followed standard protocols to ensure the safety of guests, the artist and staff.”

Several attendees expressed disappointment via social media about the way the show ended. At least two Rascal Flatts signature songs — "God Bless the Broken Road" and "Life is a Highway" — were not performed.

According to attendee Britni Sherlock, an announcement via the public-address system declared the show to be over following an otherwise standard break in which fans cheered to coax the musicians back onstage after the main set.

"Everyone boo’d," Sherlock told IndyStar. "We continued to wait in the pavilion, and that’s when security came up to everyone and told us to leave. I asked what was going on and he replied, 'We were told to evacuate the pavilion immediately.' "

Attendee Andy VonDielingen said he witnessed a disruption in the general-admission "pit" area closest to the stage.

"(Rascal Flatts) had just finished their song 'Banjo' and did the what-was-thought-to-be-false 'Good night' before the encore," VonDielingen told IndyStar. "Their piano player started to play and then just stopped and left. A few minutes later lights come on and security is pulling some guy looking to be in his 20s out of the pit. ... Everyone is standing around, looking at each other and wondering what is going on."

View | 17 Photos

A look at Rascal Flatts concerts in Indianapolis

Here is a smattering of tweets from people who attended Thursday's Rascal Flatts show:

Video of Rascal Flatts piano guy being told to stop playing and get off stage. pic.twitter.com/tWqrmoGyJ6 — Chris Tillery (@ChrisTillery) August 10, 2018

Something bad happened at Rascal Flatts tonight. Security guards had us scared. Told us things were not okay. 😔 — Caitlyn conlon (@caitlyn_conlon) August 10, 2018

No encore at the Rascal Flatts show and then an announcement was made that the show was over and everyone needed to leave. Uh, what?? — Lacey Smothers (@laceyyjustine) August 10, 2018

anybody else super mad Rascal Flatts didn’t sing Summer Nights, Bless the Broken Road, & LIFE IS A HIGHWAY????? Or is it just me... — chelsea brettnacher (@cbret78) August 10, 2018

Low key, I have a big bone to pick with Rascal Flatts. How do you not play an encore? — Jacquie Chitty (@jacqlee11) August 10, 2018

Thank You Rascal Flatts for thinking of our safety over and encore. You put on the amazing concert thanks for keeping us safe. #RascalFlatts — Caitlyn conlon (@caitlyn_conlon) August 10, 2018

Rascal Flatts lost a lot of fans today... worst concert I’ve ever been to. It just ended without at least 3 of their most popular songs. Definitely demanding a refund — Elliott Barker 🇺🇸 (@3Ball_E) August 10, 2018

To everyone complaining about not getting an encore at rascal flatts you needs to be happy that no one got hurt. He still put on an amazing show — Em (@Eemilypulos) August 10, 2018

Idk what the no encore was about, but when people pay $600 for vip they expect better! Were disappointed n hope all is well, because this isn’t the norm for you guys! After almost 20 years of following your music ... I hope we get an explanation. :( — Samantha S (@SamanthaSinn) August 10, 2018

As much as I love Rascal Flatts I’m disappointed with no encore — megan (@BeverMegan) August 10, 2018

The worst concert I’ve ever been too. — Robert Hensman (@RobertHensman) August 10, 2018

Even though the concert was cut short, I had so much fun! Thanks for a great night @DanAndShay, @carlypearce, & @rascalflatts 🖤 — Bekah Raichel (@BRaichel3) August 10, 2018

Call IndyStar reporter David Lindquist at 317-444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.

IndyStar subscriptions: Support local journalism