Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Best Bets: UB40, Bruno Mars, American Idol Live and more for your Las Vegas weekend

Bruno Mars

Amy Harris/Invision/AP

Bruno Mars returns to the Park Theater this weekend.

The magnitude of music is stunning this weekend. The Strip’s returning residents offer the biggest pop sounds from this decade and the last and there are reggae and jazz offerings on the horizon as well. Explore some sonic fun all over Las Vegas in the coming days.

UB40 Beloved pop reggae outfit UB40 has just unleashed a new album that explores and reinvigorates some of the songs that defined their genre, and the band’s founding members Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue chose Las Vegas as the starting point for a U.S tour to show off the new material. The reunited group hits the stage for two nights at the Linq Promenade’s Brooklyn Bowl. July 27-28, info at brooklynbowl.com.

BACKSTREET BOYS: LARGER THAN LIFE The resurgent boy band recently announced its successful resident show at Planet Hollywood’s Zappos Theater would wrap up in late April, most likely so the group can tour behind its upcoming album. Vegas has been good to the Backstreet Boys, injecting some new energy into the act and reconnecting the quartet to its strong fan base. See for yourself at Friday and Saturday night shows. July 27-28, info at caesars.com.

BRUNO MARS Stevie Wonder lands at Park MGM’s Park Theater for a five-show run next week, but first one of his biggest fans takes the stage. Bruno Mars has taken the torch from soul and R&B legends of previous eras and put his own entertaining spin on those familiar sounds. He extends his residency at Park Theater with two more concerts this weekend. July 27-28, info at mgmresorts.com.

DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS Nine-time Grammy nominee Dave Koz is back at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts this weekend but this time the jazz saxophone favorite is bringing all his friends. The Summer Horns tour is an all-star lineup showcasing timeless tunes from June’s “Summer Horns II From A to Z” album. Joining Koz on the record and at the show are Gerald Albright, Richard Eliot, Rick Braun and Aubrey Logan. July 28, info at thesmithcenter.com.

AMERICAN IDOL LIVE The top seven performers from the resurrected reality singing competition are touring the country and making a stop at the Orleans Arena Sunday night. Season 8 champion Kris Allen is along for the ride, too. July 29, info at orleansarena.com.