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Gary Clark Jr. kicks off a new era for an iconic Las Vegas concert venue

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Gary Clark Jr.
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As great as Gary Clark Jr. is—a mesmerizing live performer with four Grammys and a magnetically soulful style that blends genres—his concert in Las Vegas this week is much bigger than one show from one artist.

It’s the grand opening of the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the first real glimpse at some strategic renovations at a storied music venue. Few people had the chance to check it out during June’s “Unstoppable Weekend” celebration, when Christina Aguilera visited for an abbreviated performance. September 11 marks the real rebirth of the former Joint, one of the most popular concert spots ever for Las Vegas locals and visitors, and it also completes the launch of the full Virgin property, which opened on March 25 after a year of closure to build something new from the Hard Rock Hotel.

“That theater is the lifeblood of the property, which will now be the recipient of tens of thousands of people walking through it that haven’t had the chance since it opened as Virgin,” says Bobby Reynolds, senior vice president of AEG Presents, which manages and books the venue. “It’s definitely exciting and big for us and for them, all the restaurants, the casino, the hotel. Our shows touch every part of the property.”

The first few months of bookings at the theater mirror AEG’s previous strategy for the Joint, targeting a broad audience with diverse artists in different genres. Country pop hitmakers Lady A, introspective electronic artist Porter Robinson, punk stalwarts Flogging Molly and Violent Femmes, rapper Machine Gun Kelly and funk-rock weirdos Primus are all slated for fall shows, with a mini-residency from classic rock favorites Journey set for December.

When you do get back in the 4,500-capacity space, you might notice the subtle but meaningful enhancements installed by AEG and Virgin. The floor can be all-seated, all-standing general admission or a hybrid. There’s new flooring, new bar tops and facades and a lot of updated back-of-house space “that fans will never see but will appreciate from a service standpoint,” Reynolds says. And there’s a new VIP area on the first floor, allowing guests to be close to the stage and the GA audience while still having their own space complete with cocktail service.

The second level remains VIP only with new, more comfortable seating, renovated suites, new art and TV screens and an updated marble bar on the right side creating more of a lounge-style area. And the notorious third-level bar that was set back has been adjusted, so you’ll pass it from the elevators or stairs and ostensibly get back to your seat faster with drink in hand.

Don’t forget about Virgin’s free parking, not a specific concert amenity but something that can make a big difference for locals’ decision-making process.

AEG, also an owner or partner in the Theatre at Resorts World, the Day N Vegas festival at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds and beyond Vegas at New York’s Webster Hall and the Coachella Music & Arts Festival, announced on August 12 that it will be requiring proof of vaccination for entry into its owned and operated venues and festivals nationwide starting no later than October 1.

Reynolds said the Virgin resort team has been nothing but supportive of AEG’s COVID policies.

“As a city and as an industry, we cannot afford another significant shutdown, so stepping up to be leaders in getting the city and the industry and this venue back online for the long term, it’s the right thing to do,” he says.

The Theater is the engine at Virgin Las Vegas, one that will need to keep running after Gary Clark Jr. turns the ignition.

GARY CLARK JR. September 11, 8 p.m., $39-$150. The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 702-693-5222.

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Brock Radke

Brock Radke is an award-winning writer and columnist who currently occupies the role of managing editor at Las Vegas Weekly ...

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