1. Local indie-rock trio Party Talk seems far more comfortable onstage these days. The group’s dance-driven post-punk opens the show to a solid reception, before the psychedelic garage-pop headliners take the stage.

2. Crocodiles lead singer Brandon Welchez kicks off the set by greeting Las Vegas: “It’s been a long time.” Indeed. The duo (which travels as a five-piece) last played here for Neon Reverb in 2010, when the Aruba Hotel still served as a rock venue. The band’s style is more restrained this time, from its tempered drumming to its controlled guitars.

3. Welchez ditches his guitar about halfway in, and the energy level rises a bit as he dances and sways suggestively into his mic stand, hands clenched and snapping with Jagger-esque persuasion.

4. The bass player lights up a joint between songs and passes it to his bandmates. Okay, so maybe Crocodiles haven’t changed so much since last time.

5. Keyboardist Robin Eisenberg has the perfect voice to match Welchez’s reverb-y vocals. When she isn’t singing backup, her keys drive the band’s poppier progressions—especially on tracks from this year’s album, Crimes of Passion. Approaching 1 a.m., the group saves its most recognizable single, “Mirrors,” for the end of the short but sweet set.