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Mandalay Bay Beach enhances the outdoor concert experience

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Mandalay Bay Beach kicks off its concerts series with an ACM bash this weekend.
Photo: Courtesy / MGM Resorts

Easily one of the most unique entertainment venues in all of Las Vegas, the Mandalay Bay Beach kicks off its seasonal concert series with a bang this weekend, hosting the two-day Academy of Country Music Awards Bash at the Beach featuring stars Jake Owen, Lee Brice, the Brothers Osborne, Big & Rich, Florida Georgia Line and Cole Swindell. It’s a massive opener for one of the Strip’s most beloved outdoor music spots—the rare venue on the Boulevard that also attracts Las Vegas locals—and it’s only the beginning.

“It’s a great way to start the season, a chance to see performers that are major arena acts in other markets in an intimate, up-close environment at the Beach,” says Darren Davis, vice president of entertainment at Mandalay Bay. “We’ve got a few favorites coming back this year, and we’re bringing some new acts in as well. I’ve watched this venue from afar before I worked [here], and I’m very excited to be put in charge of a property with such a cool outdoor experience.”

Next up is the Snoop Dogg-starring Wellness Retreat Tour on April 21, followed by country hitmaker Randy Houser on June 2. Rebelution, Ziggy Marley, UB40 and 311 are among others set for summer concerts at the Beach.

The best way to see a show here is the new Beachfront Experience, an upgrade that takes guests to an exclusive area closer to the artists with lounge chair seating, cocktail service and expedited entry. “In the past we’ve had a VIP area up at Moorea Beach Club, and it was a great experience, but it didn’t bring guests closer to the artist, which is the ultimate goal,” Davis says. “Now we’ve created something that really builds around where the guests were already flocking to, a premium area. It’s kind of like what nightclubs do inside, and we’re creating that in this outdoor space.”

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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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