Tag Archives: Cosmopolitan
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Revisited: Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga – 12.31.14 – Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015!

2 Jan

First post of 2015 takes us back to the last hours of 2014 where I had the pleasure of attending the Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga concert inside The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

My New Year’s Eve for 10 of the last 11 years have involved music (be it nightclubs or concerts) so to spend December 31 surrounded by music wasn’t a surprise but on this night, this show was different, this was special. Seeing living legend, Tony Bennett was just spectacular and at 88 years old he makes it look so easy on stage. Add Lady Gaga in a role that I believe she was born to perform in (and with Tony Bennett) and what happened was just a magical evening of music. Yes it was NYE and spirits were high, champagne was flowing and faces were all grinning ear to ear but take away all that and you had two dynamic performers on stage in what was a perfect ending to 2014 and a welcomed way to usher in 2015.

Click HERE to read a great piece by Variety on the show and HERE for one from The Hollywood Reporter.

Here are a few images courtesy of The Comospolitan of Las Vegas shot by Ethan Miller.

Tony Bennett And Lady Gaga Headline New Year's Eve At The Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas Tony Bennett And Lady Gaga Headline New Year's Eve At The Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas Tony Bennett And Lady Gaga Headline New Year's Eve At The Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas

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Revisited: My week that was live music in Vegas! Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Deap Vally, Vampire Weekend, New Order, Portugal.The Man

14 Apr

Reason number 6,798 why I love Vegas; getting to wake up in my own city after seeing a marathon of Coachella performers in my own backyard and not having to camp out. More specifically, this week, seeing 90% of the shows at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The entertainment team at the property does an awesome job scooping up the Coachella talent for plays in Vegas and it leaves me very happy.

It all started on Wednesday night for Portugal. The Man and Tegan and Sara.  PTM never disappoint and even with a short set (they were the openers) it was still a great one.  Tegan and Sara definitely played to their market and left fans beaming with excitement.

Thursday night the crowd was on rocking for Johnny Marr and New Order.  In what was essentially a flashback to my days as a child, this show was awesome and getting a chance to see such legends before they put down the microphone was something I’m super thankful I had the chance to do.

Friday, Friday, Friday!!  Sadly I missed Tanlines (ugh, so bummed) but Vampire Weekend quickly made that disappear as they came out firing and had the crowd in their grasp the entire show.  I don’t know about anyone else but I freaking love “Diane Young” and can’t wait to hear the new album.   Later that night, it was off to see one of my favorite DJs, Benny Benassi at Marquee and the place was stupid packed with revelers.

Saturday I dropped by to support some friends at Mix 94.1 during their Pet-a-palooza which featured music by Youngblood Hawke!  Fun little afternoon retreat and a LOT of dogs!  At night it was the evening I had been most excited about for a long time.  Finally it was my chance to see Deap Vally!  If you don’t know who these two gals are, you need to like yesterday.  I may have been one of about 50 people rocking out to them but I didn’t care because these chicks are a page out of Black Sabbath, The White Stripes and the likes.  After warming up the stage it was time for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and what a show it was.  Jenny O, simply awesome and owned the crowd with a righteous performance spanning the YYY’s catalog of songs.

So yeah, no fun at all this past week!  And to think I’m taking a break, not so fast.  Monday it’s Beach House, Tuesday it’s The xx, Wednesday it’s Local Natives and Of Monsters and Men, Thursday Hot Chip, Friday The Postal Service and Saturday Band of Horses.  May try to squeeze in a country show too (yes, I’m serious).

Viva La Musica!!

 

Check out some rocking photos from my friend and rock and roll photographer, Erik Kabik.

 

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DoYouHearTheMusic.com does Sunset Sessions

11 Nov

This past week, I had the opportunity to meet and interview a bunch of tomorrow’s big music acts as part of Sunset Sessions.  Arriving in Las Vegas for the first time, Sunset Sessions events are essentially a “convention” that brings together music supervisors and radio programmers from all over the country and expose them to up-and-coming talent as well as music legends.

Working with The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ entertainment team, the stage was set and over the course of three days we conducted over a dozen interviews.  I can honestly say this was an amazing group of individuals on both a personal level and of course a musical level.  I’ll get the videos of the interviews up as soon as they are ready but who I interviewed and who you’ll want to check out:

JJAMZ | Courrier | Beware of Darkness | Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown| Joel Piper | Angels Landing | Doris| Michael Bernard Fitzgerald | Faulkner|  Olivia Olson | Clay Priskorn | SLATER | Cheating Daylight | Feral Vinca

 

 

Some artists who have appeared at Sunset Sessions include: Stevie Nicks, k.d. lang, Vanessa Carlton, Jack Johnson, Melissa Etheridge, James Blunt, Chris Isaak, Colbie Caillat, Joss Stone, Sia, Jason Mraz, Third Eye Blind, Five For Fighting, Crystal Bowersox, Jewel, The Black Keys, Ziggy Marley, Rick Springfield, Pete Yorn, John Waite, Ryan Adams, Roseanne Cash, One EskimO, The Zac Brown Band, Stephen Stills, Unwritten Law, Jim Lindberg (formerly of Pennywise), AWOLNATION, Mike Mills of R.E.M., NeedToBreathe, Art Alexasakis (Everclear) Nicole Atkins, Francis Dunnery, John Butler Trio, Tift Merrit, Missy Higgins, Jon Foreman (Switchfoot), Bob Schneider, Tyler Hilton, Emerson Hart (Tonic), Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Toots and the Maytals, Dishwalla, Scars on 45, Augustana, Jonatha Brooke, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, The Jayhawks, Jill Sobule, Edwin McCain, Donavon Frankenreiter, Alpha Rev, Nikki & Rich, Robert Francis, John Butler Trio, Alpha Rev, GIVERS, Eric Hutchinson, Sara Watkins (Nickelcreek), Green River Ordinance, Carolina Liar, Jack Tempchin, Bushwalla, Serena Ryder, Ozomatli, John Eddie, Incan Abraham, Salvador Santana, Susan Tedeschi, Dave Barnes & so many more.

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Revisited: Setlist – GROUPLOVE | 10 4 12 | The Cosmopolitan | Las Vegas

5 Oct

GROUPLOVE | 10 4 12 | The Cosmopolitan | Las Vegas

Setlist:

Itching On A Photograph
Lovely Cup
Don’t Say Oh Well
Love Will Save Your Soul
Betty
Everyone Gets High
Gold Coast
Naked Kids
Spun
Chloe
Close Your Eyes
Slow

ENCORE
Borderlines and Aliens
Tongue Tied
Colours

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My Interview with Christian Zucconi of GROUPLOVE in Vegas SEVEN

27 Sep

What can I say except I’m a huge fan of Grouplove and I have been for some time.  Having had the chance to see them perform live several times, I’m excited to see them next week out here in Las Vegas and to make it even more special, I had the opportunity to chat with Christian Zucconi to preview the concert in the new issue of Vegas SEVEN.  The issue dropped today and you can click HERE or see below.

Hope to see everyone at the show, it’s going to be a great one and Christian promised a jump in the pool following the last song!

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Revisited: Allen Stone | Las Vegas | 5 31 12 | Book & Stage at The Cosmopolitan | Setlist

1 Jun

Last night Allen Stone returned to Las Vegas and Book & Stage at The Cosmopolitan to perform yet another incredible set.  As one of the most gifted up and coming entertainers, Stone was on-point from beginning to end and had the solid crowd grooving during his entire 90 minute set.  If you are in Vegas tonight and tomorrow, don’t miss the chance to see him.

 

One note on the setlist below, Superstition was sandwiched between “Unaware” and “Satisfaction.”

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My review of Young The Giant in Vegas SEVEN (5 31 12 Issue)

1 Jun

No secret if you read this blog you know how big a fan of Young The Giant I am so naturally when the opportunity came to review their most recent show for Vegas SEVEN, I jumped on it.  My review appears in the May 31 issue and since I can’t be biased in my reviews, there in print lies my true thoughts on the show.  Having seen these guys a handful of times, this was by far the most disappointing show to date and really a shame since I’ve seen them absolutely crush it the other times.  Hoping when I see them again, next week, that energy and enthusiasm is back!

 

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Setlist: Young The Giant | 5 26 12 | BLVD Pool | Las Vegas, NV

27 May

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Revisited: My review of Florence + The Machine in Vegas SEVEN (4 26 12 Issue)

29 Apr

A week ago I had the chance to see Florence + The Machine at the BLVD Pool at The Cosmopolitan. This was the second time I have seen Florence and I have to say this time was a whole lot better. See below for my review which appears in the April 26 issue of Vegas SEVEN or click here for a link to the story online.

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Revisited: JUSTICE | 4 19 12 | Las Vegas | (Photos)

20 Apr

Back in 2008 I had the chance to see JUSTICE perform at House of Blues in Las Vegas and I was just too exhausted to go (living in Las Vegas and the line of work I was in can do that to you) so I gave up my ticket .  Not a day went by I didn’t kick myself for missing that show.  Finally last night I got the opportunity to redeem myself as the duo of Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay took the stage in front of a amped crowd at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.  I’ve often said I love concerts out at the BLVD Pool because one, it’s outdoors and two, the there is something about being surrounded by the neon glow of The Strip that just makes these shows better.

As for the show itself, AWESOME.  I know, I know it’s an experience and the lighting rig was impressive (LED piano was sweet, LED orbs adorning the backdrop were intense) but I really just wanted to hear them live.  For me the highlight was “On’n”On,” my favorite track off Audio, Video, Disco which along with “We Are Your Friends” was teased before bringing both back during the encore.   Plus when they played “D.A.N.C.E.” I don’t think you could find one person standing still which brings me to the wide eyed crowd; wow, it was an intense group right in front of the stage!

At the end of the day I can count on one hand the electronic acts I would go out of my way to see and sure enough, JUSTICE is right there.  See you in August at Lollapalooza!

 

Photos courtesy of Scott Harrison

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