Musical Residencies and Concerts Announced: From Bruno Mars on NYE to Ludacris at the Vegas Grand Prix
A string of concerts and residencies in Las Vegas was recently announced, starting with the Bruno Mars residency that culminates in the traditional NYE performance at Park MGM, the upcoming When We Were Young festival with Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, and a slew of other punk bands, and Ludacris and One Republic, who are slated to perform at the Las Vegas Grand Prix at none other than the famous Sphere.
Pop sensation Bruno Mars is set to continue his celebrated residency at Park MGM's Dolby Live, marking his fourth NYE performance at the iconic venue. Since the Las Vegas resort, once known as the Monte Carlo in 2016, was rebranded, Mars has been a fixture, captivating audiences with his electrifying performances and chart-topping hits.
Mars will resume his residency on the 28th of August, and fans will have additional opportunities to see him live in December, with newly announced performances throughout the month, all the way until December 31st. These shows are expected to be in high demand, as they will include his New Year's Eve concert, a Las Vegas tradition that has become synonymous with his name.
Tickets for these additional dates will go on sale starting on Friday, the 16th of August, at ticketmaster.com. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats early, as Mars' concerts are known to sell out quickly. The residency continues to be a highlight of the Las Vegas entertainment scene, drawing fans from around the world who are keen to experience the star's dynamic stage presence and unparalleled vocal talent.
When We Were Young festival sideshows: a tradition born from a weather disturbance
Meanwhile, Las Vegas is gearing up for another edition of the When We Were Young Festival, set to take place on the 19th and 20th of October at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. Headlined by Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance, it also features other emo and punk acts, and this year's festival promises to be a nostalgic celebration for fans of the genres.
In keeping with a tradition born out of the festival's 2022 edition, when the opening day was canceled because of high winds, several sideshows have been announced across Las Vegas. These sideshows were initially organized by bands who chose to perform at alternative venues after the cancellation, offering free shows to fans holding tickets for the postponed festival day.
This year, the sideshows will kick off on Thursday, October 17, with performances from A Day To Remember at the BleauLive Theater (Fontainebleau) and 3OH!3 with Millionaires and Cobra Starship at the Brooklyn Bowl. On Friday, October 18, festival-goers can catch Neck Deep with Super American and The Home Team at AREA15, Boys Like Girls and Madina Lake with Simple Plan with at the Brooklyn Bowl, and Taking Back Sunday with Taylor Acorn and S. Dunes plus The Used at the BleauLive.
For those holding tickets to the When We Were Young Festival, presale access to the sideshows will begin at 10 am on Wednesday, the 14th of August at Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and customers of the venue will also have presale access starting at 10 am on Thursday, the 15th of August, with general public sales commencing at 10 am on Friday, the 16th of August.
Las Vegas Grand Prix headliners announced, but at a steep price
The Las Vegas Grand Prix, one of the city's most anticipated events, has announced its lineup of headliners for the Sphere Stage. Among the stars performing are Alesso, OneRepublic, and Ludacris, adding a musical highlight to the weekend's high-octane festivities.
OneRepublic will take the stage on Thursday, followed by Alesso on Friday, with Ludacris set to perform on Saturday, race night. However, these performances come with a hefty price tag. Only those who can afford the exclusive "ticketed experience" in the grandstand will have access to the concerts. Tickets for the three-day event are priced at $2,366.50, though they include complimentary food, soft drinks, and water.
While the steep cost might limit access for many fans, those who do attend are sure to experience an unforgettable combination of world-class racing and top-tier musical performances in one of Las Vegas's most unique venues.
Machine Gun Kelly's $50,000 lesson at the blackjack table
Las Vegas is known for its glitz, glamour, and the chance to strike it rich - or lose big. On a side note, Machine Gun Kelly experienced the latter during a recent trip to Sin City. On August 8, while opening for country superstar Morgan Wallen at Allegiant Stadium, the rapper-turned-rocker revealed to the crowd that he had lost $50,000 at a blackjack table earlier that day.
Addressing the audience, who consisted of 65,000 people, Kelly quipped, "I need you all to go stream 'Lonely Road' and make that money back," referencing one of his recent tracks. While his gambling loss might have stung, it's clear that the performer still knows how to keep his sense of humor.
As Vegas continues to be a hotspot for entertainment and high-stakes thrills, these events and performances prove the city's long-standing reputation as a premier destination for both locals and tourists seeking unforgettable and unrivalled experiences.