1. Ithaca, New York, foursome X Ambassadors claim to be influenced by bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers but sound much closer to Bastille or even Maroon 5. Calling it indie rock is using the term too loosely. This is perhaps the modern version of yacht rock, perfect for dudes who wear blazers to concerts and teenagers permitted only to see shows with their parents.

2. So maybe something was missing in the blood and guts category. Nobody’s going to confuse this for gritty rock. But singer Sam Harris’ commitment to his music is impressive nonetheless. He promised the crowd a “great show” before launching into opener “Loveless” and did everything to keep it his oath.

3. Harris played everything from saxophone to bass to acoustic and electric guitar. At least I think he did. There were clearly sounds being looped in by X Ambassadors’ keyboardist, Harris’ brother Casey. Also, the mic was so low on the sax, we barely heard it, which is unfortunate, as it was supposed to be a big moment.

4. The high point: the main set’s three closing numbers. “Gorgeous” featured a fun ’80s-style outro reminiscent of something St. Lucia might put out. “Jungle,” the band’s hardest cut, was a welcome jolt to the system. And megahit “Renegades” was the climax for which audience had clearly hoped.

5. The encore featured Imagine Dragons’ frontman Dan Reynolds performing “Fear,” a song his band gave the Amabassadors. Harris extolled Reynolds for discovering XA and putting them on the map. I thought back to earlier in the week, when The Killers’ Brandon Flowers guested with New Order. Interesting symmetry, and symbolic of the differences between Las Vegas’ two biggest bands.