The calendar of shows already booked for 2004 includes everything from big-ticket extravaganzas to cool, little punk shows. Of the latter, venerable punkers Agent Orange play The Boston on January 24. If you ever thought the Offspring were original in any way, then here is the band that proves why you are wrong. Also, on the docket for March 18 is a House of Blues show featuring the aggressive, energetic and blue-collar punk of the Dropkick Murphys.
David Bowie plays the first of two sure-to-be-sold-out shows at the Hard Rock on January 30. (The return of the thin, white duke takes place on February 6.) After spending much of the past two decades adrift—too many ch-ch-ch-changes—Bowie has been on an artistic, if not commercial, comeback with his last two releases: Heathen and Reality. He has also, at least in part, returned to performing highlights from his substantial back catalogue which he once retired in a failed effort at yet another fresh start. But as Tin Machine should have taught him years before he figured it out, you can't walk away from being David Bowie. Still, expect his set to emphasize the new material and avoid most of the obvious hits.
Perhaps the most anticipated entertainment event in 2003 will take place February 13 with the opening of Elton John's show at The Colosseum. A far more substantial artist than Celine Dion, John has literally dozens of hits spread over decades to choose from. (His show will need no padding to get to the end.) Though John has not explored his theatrical side much since the '70s (please bring back the duck suit!) he is a veteran road warrior who always manages to put on a show for the folks. In fact, he has spent the past few years wiping the floor with Billy Joel night after night on their joint tours. The promise for this gig is that John intends to do more than his touring hits set, and he has engaged auteur David LaChapelle to make it so. Even more than Celine Dion, John's long-term engagement and big paycheck may kick in the door for other icons of rock to set up shop here. After all, in the post-download era, a plush Vegas showroom gig may well turn out to be more valuable than any royalty check.
Best-selling nu metal acts Linkin Park and P.O.D. hit the Thomas & Mack Center on February 20. Consider it a warm-up for the March 13 Metallica show being offered there as a consolation prize to the masses who could not afford a seat to the band's Hard Rock New Year's Eve show.
Once an alternative-rock queen bitch, Liz Phair has attempted—with only mixed success—to reinvent herself as a pop tart. But reports are that whatever the limits of her new sound on disc, Phair did an amazing concert on her visit to Vegas last year. For those of us who missed it, Phair returns to the HOB February 28.
But if you want your catchy pop irony-free, the big event of the new year arrives March 6 when the one and only Britney Spears returns to the MGM to dance and move her lips along to the words of her songs.
UPCOMING SHOWS
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