Think of music in Las Vegas and the chances are that the first thing that springs to mind is the classic era of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack closely followed by the mega residencies by artists like Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and Donny and Marie Osmond.
The perfect combination
But so-called Sin City has always prided itself on giving visitors exactly what they want, whenever they want to enjoy it. So with the global popularity of R&B and its huge galaxy of megastars, it’s hardly surprising that fans of the genre can find plenty of places to get into the groove in those breaks between trying their luck in the casinos. When you think about it R & B and Vegas are a perfect combination – both are big, loud and have a real love of bling and ostentation – so it’s hardly surprising that you can catch some of the best music at the resort casinos themselves.
Where to go
For example, the Ling Ling Club at the MGM Grand is on the floor below the resort’s more famous Hakkasan and has a smaller, more intimate vibe where DJs play a great mix of
R & B as well as hip-hop and soul. Over at The Mirage, there’s the 1 Oak – a cousin to its more famous LA version. Many are attracted here not just by the music but also for A-list celebrity spotting. It’s a favorite of the Kardashians when they’re in town – so maybe you’ll catch Kanye doing an impromptu set too! Another big favorite is Drai’s over at the Cromwell which has got it all. For a start there are fantastic views of The Strip from the outdoor pool area which is surrounded by huge palm trees.
The artists
Then there’s the amazing music, both from DJs as well as frequent residencies from artists like Chris Brown and The Weeknd as well as special appearances by Nicky Minaj and Kendrick Lamar. As well as this, over the summer and autumn performers including Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly and Keith Sweat are all going to be performing in what promise to be spectacular shows in grand surroundings. Blige will be at the Palm Casino Resort with Kelly appearing at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel and Keith Sweat drawing the crowds to the Flamingo Hotel.
In previous seasons, pretty much anybody who’s anybody on the R&B scene has also appeared in Vegas and are sure to again. One of the artists who made the biggest impact ever was Beyoncé when she appeared at the Encore Theater as part of her 2010 “I Am . . . ” tour.
The performance was captured on DVD and a CD that went double platinum. So if you want to get a taste of what a truly spellbinding Vegas R & B experience is like you should get hold of a copy of the DVD.
Alternative things to do in Vegas?
A visit to Beyoncé’s show isn’t the only highlight of a trip to Las Vegas. As well as the stunning year-round weather and world famous selection of casinos, Vegas has also become a centre of all genres of world-class music, with hundreds of acts playing extended shows or stopping off on world tour legs. The city itself has also given birth to some huge acts, including the likes of Imagine Dragons and of course The Killers. There is a full guide available that is all about upcoming performances and when and where to see them, 888casino the renowned online casino operator published this long blog post, you are unlikely to see a better guide to music shows in Las Vegas.
The queen of Vegas
So with its brilliant reputation, its little wonder that Celine Dion chose to progress to Las Vegas, this came off the back of record success and a series of world tours, with Dion announcing a 3 year show titled A New Day… that went on to become a two part residency that has lasted almost 15 years. Her latest Vegas stint, which saw her hit a landmark 1,000 shows in Las Vegas in 2016, is simply titled Celine and features her entire repertoire as well as covers and guest appearances. Dion has just extended her residency until 2019, get a glimpse of her Las Vegas residency show “Celine” that took place on April 21st 2017.
But, best of all, get over to Vegas yourself and sample the exciting nightlife at first hand in the city that always moves to its very own rhythm.
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