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Memorial Day Weekend guide: The parties, shows and concerts you need to know about

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J. Cole returns to Daylight Saturday night.
Photo: AP Images

DAY

kygo

His hit “It Ain’t Me” with Selena Gomez is still climbing the charts, while new track “First Time” with Ellie Goulding is hot on its trail. Catch the producer and DJ at EBC Friday and at Nightswim at XS Sunday. May 26, 10:30 a.m., $30-$75. Encore Beach Club at Encore, 702-770-7300.

Pauly D

He’s still doing reality TV (recently filming a pilot with on-again/off-again fiancée Aubrey O’Day), and he’s still dropping beats at Vegas dayclubs. DJ Shift supports when Pauly hits the Palms. May 27, 9 a.m., $15-$30. Palms Pool & Dayclub at the Palms, 702-374-9700.

J. Cole

He left a serious mark on the hip-hop world last year with 4 Your Eyez Only. Now J. Cole hopes to do the same at his Vegas dayclub headquarters at Mandalay Bay. May 27, 11 a.m., $100-$200. Daylight at Mandalay Bay, 702-632-4700.

G-eazy

The Oakland rapper celebrates his birthday in the sunshine on Drai’s rooftop, sharing the Saturday bill with Adventure Club. May 27, 11 a.m., $30-$50. Drai’s Beachclub at the Cromwell, 702-777-3800.

kaskade

He’s been breaking MDW pool party attendance records for years, and now Kaskade takes his turn at 9-year-old Wet Republic. May 27, 11 a.m., $50-$150. Wet Republic at MGM Grand, 702-891-3563.

dj Khaled

Just when he was becoming more recognized for inspirational quotes and funny commercials, Khaled dropped a summer bomb with “I’m the One.” It’s the perfect track for repeat plays at the pool Saturday. May 27, 11:30 a.m., $28-$115. Tao Beach at Venetian, 702-388-8588.

david guetta

It almost seems like Guetta lives at Encore Beach Club. He’ll roll out the welcome mat just for you on Sunday. May 28, 10:30 a.m., $40-$100. Encore Beach Club at Encore, 702-770-7300.

usher

If your idea of Memorial Day Weekend in Vegas is catching a huge star at an unlikely venue, meet one Usher Raymond IV, and meet him at Rehab. May 28, 11 a.m., $100-$150. Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5000.

ALSO

Metro Boomin at Daylight, May 26; Machine Gun Kelly at Rehab, May 27; Koko & Bayati at Flamingo Go Pool, May 27; Destructo at Drai’s Beachclub, May 28.

NIGHT

Jennifer Lopez

She’s got Shades of Blue, A-Rod and the new World of Dance to contend with, but even busy J.Lo knows Vegas is the place to be this weekend. May 26-28, 9 p.m., $129-$359. Axis at Planet Hollywood, 702-777-2782.

Theory of a Deadman

Free concert alert: The Canadian alt-metal squad wants to rock your world Downtown Friday night. May 26,9 p.m., free. Fremont Street Experience, 702-678-5600.

the chainsmokers

The inescapable DJ duo opens the weekend with an XS set on Friday and helps close it with a day-spin at Encore Beach Club Monday. May 26, 10 p.m., $55-$100. XS Nightclub at Encore, 702-770-7070.

future

This guy will be filling up T-Mobile Arena next month, but you can see him live in concert at Drai’s right away. May 26, 10:30 p.m., $100-$200. Drai’s at the Cromwell, 702-777-3800.

karma night with the women of the bachelor

Hang out with the lady-cast from the show to benefit Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, or get the VIP upgrade for Champagne and a raffle entry to dine with them. May 27, 5:30 p.m., $35-$55. Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7631.

foster the people

Get some indoor time at the Chelsea Saturday night and chill out with the indie-pop band behind “Pumped Up Kicks.” May 27, 8 p.m., $20-$143. The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7000.

mix master mike

Catch the Beastie Boys’ longtime DJ on the turntables, set against a panoramic Strip backdrop. May 27, 10:30 p.m., $20-$30. Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris, 702-776-7770.

lil wayne

The newest resident at Drai’s just helped Nicki Minaj open the Billboard Music Awards. Catch an all-Tunechi concert Saturday night. May 27, 10:30 p.m., $60-$120. Drai’s at the Cromwell, 702-777-3800.

new kids on the block

Paula Abdul and Boyz II Men join NKOTB for the Total Package Tour, a throwback pop spectacular storming into T-Mobile Sunday night. No word on whether MC Skat Kat will also come out of retirement to join Paula. May 28, 7:30 p.m., $50-$250. T-Mobile Arena, 702-692-1600

j balvin

There are tons of pool parties but only one real beach party this weekend, when rising reggaeton star J Balvin performs at Mandalay Bay. May 28, 9 p.m., $46-$64. Mandalay Bay Beach at Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7580.

marshmello

The ’mello man opened Wynn Nightlife’s eight-show anniversary party for XS last weekend. Now you can catch his big fluffy head at EBC’s version of Nightswim. May 28, 10:30 p.m., $25-$45. Encore Beach Club at Encore, 702-770-7300.

diplo

Sometimes the last party is the best party. Memorial Day is usually a great opportunity to catch a major name at a major club for a lesser price. Let there be Diplo on Monday night. May 29, 10 p.m., $20-$30. XS at Encore, 702-770-7070.

ALSO

The Wailers at the Silverton, May 27; Gucci Mane at Marquee, May 27; Calvin Harris at Hakkasan, May 28; Ludacris at Light, May 28.

Why drive?

Honesty time: We’re gonna have a few too many at least once this weekend. Pinky swear: Get a ride, k? Lyft is offering new and existing riders $5 off two rides when you use the code MDWRIDE while supplies last. So save a few bucks—and save who knows what else.

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Brock Radke

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

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