Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Best Bets: Gwen Stefani, Marc Anthony, Billy Idol and more for your Las Vegas weekend

Gwen Stefani

Todd Stefani & Rob Dipple

Gwen Stefani at Zappos Theater.

It’s October so this standard springtime event may feel out of place, but it is definitely Electric Daisy Carnival weekend in Las Vegas. That means the Strip will be crowded with big beats, huge parties in nightclubs and colorful festival folks, but that doesn’t mean dance music is the only music to be enjoyed. Far from it, in fact. Check out these entertainment options and see for yourself.

BILLY IDOL The punk rock icon has held a steady presence in Vegas in recent years and he’s closing his limited engagement at the Cosmopolitan’s Chelsea room this weekend, rolling out “Dancing With Myself,” “Rebel Yell,” “Eyes Without a Face” and other hits. October 22-23, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com.

GWEN STEFANI The pop-rock princess and former No Doubt frontwoman had a few dates left on her “Just A Girl” residency deal when the pandemic paused Vegas shows last year. Stefani is finally and happily back at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood starting on Friday and it’s unclear how many more headlining concerts she’ll play there after November 6. It’s best to catch her while you can. October 22-23, caesars.com.

ZOMBIE BURLESQUE There’s no show on the Strip quite like “Zombie Burlesque,” which combines quirky cabaret, slightly raunchy comedy and vibrant music with a zombies-attack-Vegas theme. It’s a lot of fun packed into 75 minutes at the V Theater at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, and it’s back onstage again this week for the first time since March 2020. And we’re happy to see it. October 22-23, zombieburlesque.com.

FANFARE! The Las Vegas Philharmonic returns to Reynolds Hall at the Smith Center to kick off its greatly anticipated 2021-2022 season with a performance that introduces new artist-in-residence and acclaimed cellist Joshua Roman and showcases the point-counterpoint compositions “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland and “Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman” by Joan Tower. The return of Southern Nevada’s only professional symphony orchestra will make for a magical evening downtown, to say the least. October 23, lvphil.org.

MARC ANTHONY The king of salsa returns to the Strip Saturday night. Marc Anthony’s “Pa’Alla Voy” tour lands at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay and it’s safe to expect another crowd-pleasing musical party dabbling in various styles and genres. October 23, mandalaybay.com.

ERYKAH BADU One of the leading voices in modern soul closes the weekend with a live performance at Craig Ranch Park’s venue the Amp on Sunday. Badu has been spreading all the good vibes on her current tour and Las Vegas is about to get a special dose this weekend. October 24, etix.com.