Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Best Bets: Big Blues Bender, Lionel Richie, Gary Clark Jr. and more for your Las Vegas weekend

Rock In Rio Mikayla Whitmore 2015

Gary Clark Jr. performs at Rock in Rio USA on May 8, 2015.

If you’ve been feeling the blues for 18 months or more, now it’s time to sing the blues in Las Vegas, to let the music in and push those somber feelings out. You’ll have plenty of opportunity thanks to the return of a beloved music festival focusing on the genre as well as the reopening of a renovated music hall featuring one of the style’s biggest stars. Check out these and other live entertainment options this weekend around town.

REO SPEEDWAGON You can’t fight this feeling. It’s time to get back to the Sandbar Pool at the Red Rock Resort for a night of feel-good music, and REO Speedwagon is going to meet you there Friday night. September 10, stationcasinoslive.com.

LIONEL RICHIE The legendary singer, songwriter and producer has been entertaining Las Vegas Strip audiences in various venues for years now with his parade of soulful hits. Now it’s time for Richie to come back to Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas with a brand new show that celebrates his songbook in a fresh way. September 10-11, wynnlasvegas.com.

BIG BLUES BENDER Tab Benoit, the Allman Betts Band, the Blind Boys of Alabama and the North Mississippi Allstars headline an incredible roster of dozens of acts as the weekend-long Bender returns to Las Vegas. This year’s fest is taking over Westgate Las Vegas just off the Strip, sure to create a unique musical experience. September 10-12, bigbluesbender.com.

VIVA LAS VEGAS ROCKABILLY WEEKEND Now in its 24th year, this event is considered the longest running music festival in Las Vegas and the biggest rockabilly event in the world, featuring a car show, a pool party, burlesque events, a tattoo room, a fashion show and lots of live music. You can find all the info online and all the action inside and outside at the Orleans. September 10-12, vivalasvegas.net.

GARY CLARK JR. The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel is gone forever. The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas has risen in its place, ready to make many more musical memories for locals and visitors and set the course for a new legacy. The first entry comes from Texas-born blues, rock and soul superstar Gary Clark Jr., a next generation talent perfect to christen this exciting updated Vegas venue. September 11, virginhotelslv.com.

THE TERRY BRADSHAW SHOW The quarterback great and broadcasting favorite can also sing, tell stories and entertain a Vegas audience with ease and charm, as he’s proven with this fun production at Luxor. Bradshaw is back just in time to get you ready for football season. September 12, luxor.com.

FABULOUS BEATLES SHOW Wrap up the weekend in classic style be revisiting the iconic Italian American Club for a performance from one of the most acclaimed tributes to the Fab Four ever to grace the stage. September 12, iacvegas.com.