BIG BLUES BENDER
When: August 25-28.
Who’s playing: Buddy Guy, Little Feat, Larkin Poe, Tab Benoit, Shemekia Copeland, Jimmy Hall, Southern Avenue …
Festival Focus
- Welcome to Festival Las Vegas: How this city became a music-festival mecca
- Fest Quest: Which of these 10 Las Vegas music festivals fits best for you?
- Nora En Pure makes her EDC Las Vegas debut—and doubles down at Marquee
- Eight EDC Las Vegas acts to consider catching this weekend
- Might Las Vegas’ DIY indie fest Neon Reverb return?
Setting: Westgate, former home to Elvis Presley (in the property’s Las Vegas International days).
Sense of style: Casual and comfy; cool hats abound.
Only here: The HART party, an annual charity event that helps blues musicians with financial needs.
Spin before you go: “Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues” by Buddy Guy; “Dixie Chicken” by Little Feat; “Savior” by Southern Avenue.
DAY N VEGAS
When: TBD (last year’s fest took place in November).
Who’s played: Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Tyler the Creator, Doja Cat, Post Malone, SZA, Schoolboy Q, Migos, YG, Kali Uchis …
Setting: Las Vegas Festival Grounds on the Strip.
Sense of style: Crop tops, bucket hats, mesh tops, vintage flannel, LA swag and Timberlands.
Only here: The brick-lined Day N Vegas selfie sign.
Spin before you go: “Shea Butter Baby,” by Ari Lennox; “Walkin,” by Denzel Curry; “Gospel for a New Century” by Yves Tumor.
ELECTRIC DAISY CARNIVAL
lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com
When: May 20-22.
Who’s playing: Tiësto, David Guetta, Alesso, Dillon Francis, Zedd, DJ Snake, Richie Hawtin, Alan Walker, Joel Corry, Sidepiece …
Setting: A glittering speedway under the night sky.
Sense of style: Tutus, EDM kandy, colorful plaits, pasties, unicorn onesies and all the glitter you can handle.
Only here: A crazy collection of art cars, onto which DJs hop aboard and perform sets.
Spin before you go: “Shades” by Tchami; “Light” by San Holo; “Rumor” by Moore Kismet.
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
When: September 16-18.
Who’s playing: Arctic Monkeys, Gorillaz, Calvin Harris, Lorde, Cage the Elephant, Jack Harlow, Beach House, Big Boi …
Setting: Downtown’s buzzing city streets.
Sense of style: Dayclub meets Coachella—pastels, short shorts, summertime in September.
Only here: Giant art murals throughout the festival grounds.
Spin before you go: “Blick Blick” by Coi Leray; “Chaise Lounge” by Wet Leg; “Levante” by Satin Jackets.
LOVERS & FRIENDS
When: This one just wrapped on May 15; will they throw it back again in 2023?
Who played: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Usher, Ludacris, Lil Jon, TLC, Ciara, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Jodeci, Lil Kim …
Setting: Las Vegas Festival Grounds on the Strip.
Sense of style: Overalls with one strap down, baggy pants, Fubu (no knockoffs), snapbacks and Nelly’s signature Band-Aid.
Only here: Large-scale paintings of legends like the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.
Spin before you go: “Who Can I Run to?” by Xscape; “I Wanna Be Down” by Brandy; “Foxy’s Bells” by Foxy Brown.
PSYCHO LAS VEGAS
When: August 19-21.
Who’s playing: Emperor, Mercyful Fate, Suicidal Tendencies, Warpaint, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah, The Black Angels, Monster Magnet, Nitzer Ebb, Liars, William Basinski …
Setting: The palatial grounds of Resorts World, after previous stops at the Hard Rock Hotel and Mandalay Bay.
Styles: Black band shirts, full-sleeve tattoos and long goatees.
Only here: Chess lessons with Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA (!).
Spin before you go: “Freezing Moon” by Mayhem; “Naki Kyoku” by Boris; “Slaughter of the Soul” by At the Gates.
PUNK ROCK BOWLING
When: The fest took 2022 off but plans to return Memorial Day Weekend 2023.
Who’s played: Iggy Pop, Descendents, Bad Religion, Flag, Devo, Rancid, NOFX, Refused, Against Me!, At the Drive-In …
Setting: Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.
Sense of style: Leather vests covered in band patches, mohawks and moshpit-appropriate footwear.
Only here: Official post-fest after shows at Downtown hangouts like Triple B and the Downtown Grand’s pool deck.
Spin before you go: “Coup D’Etat” by Circle Jerks; “A Message to You Rudy” by The Specials; “Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone)” by Buzzcocks.
REGGAE RISE UP
When: October 7-9.
Who’s playing: Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, Stick Figure, Atmosphere, Iration, Trevor Hall, Steel Pulse, The Expendables, The Green …
Setting: Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.
Sense of style: Tank tops, tie dye, flowing skirts and hemp backpacks.
Only here: Good vibes that would make Bob Marley proud.
Spin before you go: “Green Mountain State” by Trevor Hall; “Bowl for Two” by The Expendables; “Margaritas” by The Elovaters.
VIVA LAS VEGAS ROCKABILLY WEEKEND
When: The weekender just celebrated its 25th anniversary, so look forit again next April.
Who’s played: Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dick Dale, The Stray Cats, The Sonics, Wanda Jackson, The Delta Bombers, The Blasters …
Setting: A 1950s time capsule at the Orleans.
Sense of style: Pompadours, bullet bras, high-waisted skirts, bandanas and leather jackets.
Only here: A fleet of vintage vehicles for the legendary annual car show.
Spin before you go: “Let’s Have a Party” by Wanda Jackson; “Misirlou” by Dick Dale; “Strychnine” by The Sonics.
WHEN WE WERE YOUNG
When: October 22, 23 & 29.
Who’s playing: My Chemical Romance, Paramore, AFI, The Used, Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard Confessional, Bright Eyes, A Day to Remember,Bring Me the Horizon, Alkaline Trio …
Setting: Las Vegas Festival Grounds on the Strip.
Sense of style: Heavy eyeliner, bright leggings and hoodies during rain or excruciating heat.
Only here: Palpable emo nostalgia.
Spin before you go: “Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne; “Check Yes Juliet” by We the Kings; “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World.
Click HERE to subscribe for free to the Weekly Fix, the digital edition of Las Vegas Weekly! Stay up to date with the latest on Las Vegas concerts, shows, restaurants, bars and more, sent directly to your inbox!
