There’s Blackjack and poker, and the roulette wheel. Fortunes are won and lost on every deal. But as you’ve probably guessed the bright light city of Las Vegas is more than just an eclectic mix of neon lights, themed casinos and Cirque Du Soleil, Sin City is also a the centre stage for some of the world’s greatest musicians.
Of course walk down the strip and you can’t help but reminded of the city’s association with Elvis, with overweight, middle-aged impersonators standing on street corners but the past, present and future of the city goes way beyond the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Of course Liberace and the Rat Pack also play a vital role in Vegas becoming the most exciting entertainment destination in the world, but as the city has built up its reputation you’re just as likely to hear The Killers uttered under the same breath as The Flamingo as you are Ol’ Blue Eyes nowadays.
The Killers are perhaps the flagship of Las Vegas music today. Born in the city, Brandon Flowers and Co. regularly pay homage to their city in their music with their second album Sam’s Town is named after the gambling hall of the same name which lies to the east of Las Vegas Boulevard.
And Flowers also gives a nod to days gone by. Music of the future and more and more musicians are finding the lights of Vegas, ranging from the lovely Celine Dion to high-profile DJ residencies in the strips top nightclubs.
Nightclubs on the strip are battling it out more than ever to bring the hottest DJ’s in the industry to Sin City with Mandalay Bay’s Light Nightclub revealing Skrillex as resident DJ, whilst Tiesto earned around $22 million last year during his stay in Vegas.
Attempting to tempt fans of popular online casinos back to the state, resorts in Vegas are seeing music as an influential way to bring gamers back, just as it did in the old days with the likes of Tom Jones and Sammy Davies Jr.
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For brands such as the Hard Rock Hotel its Joint venue is also welcoming touring musicians creating one off special nights in the city as well as moving away from the likes of Elton John and Donny and Marie whose faces dominate the strip’s billboards.
In the past The Joint has played host to on the road acts such as Bob Dylan, Coldplay and The Killers, adding another string to the Gambling Capital of the World’s bow, and sealing its reputation as a world centrepiece for some of the biggest acts in the industry.
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