After seeing Big Grams’ debut public performance at Treasure Island Music Festival last weekend, not only am I convinced it was the best set of the weekend but man this show is only going to get better! Get ready to see them on nearly every festival lineup in 2016 and for good reason. While Big Boi and Phantogram have chopped it up for years, getting on stage to perform their self titled debut album you would think may take some work but man it was tight and on point even down to the production. Bringing out Run The Jewels for “Born To Shine” was a nice touch, “Put It On Her” sounds like classic OutKast and the “Ms. Jackson”/”Mouthful of Diamonds” mashup was perfect and the crowd was eating up the whole set. As for me, I’ve been listening to the album on repeat for the last two days and falling in love with it more and more every spin.
Countdown to Life is Beautiful: 5 Days – Duran Duran
20 SepI don’t think they need any intro, Duran Duran are performing in less than a week in Downtown Las Vegas at Life is Beautiful. Just wow! Fun fact, back in 2008 Duran Duran played Vegas they brought out a special guest, Brandon Flowers of The Killers! Perhaps lightning will strike twice? I sure hope so!
Countdown to Life is Beautiful: 7 Days – Royal Blood
18 Sep“I’ve seen the future of riff rock and it’s name is #RoyalBlood” – Tom Morello
And you know what, he’s right! The UK duo of Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher absolutely destroy it on stage together. If you are a rock and roller, this is the one show of Life is Beautiful you cannot miss. And bring your earplugs because it’s going to be loud, in your face and righteous!
Countdown to Life is Beautiful: 13 Days – Shamir
11 SepVegas represent! All of Las Vegas should be getting excited for Shamir to mark his homecoming at Life is Beautiful. Heralded by Pitchfork, NPR and several more outlets, Shamir Bailey is finding gold everywhere he turns lately. Heck he was one plane away from working on a pig farm in Arkansas and now he’s music’s darling with his debut album Ratchet. His blend of experimental, funk, disco sounds with his light voice just flat out works. I know we’re excited to welcome him home on Friday, September 25. See you there!
Countdown to Life is Beautiful: 14 Days – Glass Animals
10 SepI’ve been fortunate enough to see Glass Animals a handful of times this year and the best part is never getting tired of their show and always craving more. Lucky for me (and you), we have them at Life is Beautiful in just two weeks! I hope you get as excited as I am that they are coming to Downtown Las Vegas, this is going to be one of those sets you just have to be at.
Countdown to Life is Beautiful: 20 Days – GRiZ
4 SepListen up music fans. I better see each and every one of you who’s attending Life is Beautiful out at GRiZ on Saturday night of the festival. If you’re a fan of Big Gigantic, you are going to LOVE GRiZ! The one man DJ/Saxophone showstopper is going to bring the heat and have you dancing his entire set. Get ready for an electric, funk of a good time. Click play below and let this be your soundtrack for Labor Day Weekend.
Countdown to Life is Beautiful: 24 Days – Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros
31 Aug“Ahh Home. Let me come home
Home is wherever I’m with you.
Ahh Home. Let me go ho-oh-ome.
Home is wherever I’m with you.”
Home is across 18 city blocks of Downtown Las Vegas, September 25-27 for Life is Beautiful. It’s no secret to my friends that I love Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros. Their live show is uplifting, high energy and one gigantic singalong dance party. I can truthfully say that I’ve wanted to have ESATMZ on the lineup from day one and in year three we finally do! They are the perfect band for this festival as they exude a positive energy and will do everything they can to make sure everyone in attendance is grinning from ear to ear during their set. Come sing and dance on Friday, September 25 at Life is Beautiful because we’re going to have a party!
Countdown to Life is Beautiful: 28 Days – Dan Deacon
27 Aug28 Days away! It’s exciting times right now and I can promise you I’m not getting much sleep and there is so much to get done to put together the best three days of Life is Beautiful for you to enjoy! The amount of additions, announcements and special surprises when you walk in the gates are starting to add up but I can’t forget about the music! I sincerely hope that you love this lineup as much as I do. From the legendary to the unknown, I hope you find yourself a new band or two to fall in love with. That’s the beauty of a festival, discovery. With that said, today is all about one man, DAN DEACON. I promise you this is one set you are not going to want to miss. You’ll be energized, captivated and most definitely “Feel The Lightning.”
‘Fare Thee Well’ Grateful Dead 50th Anniversary Shows Here We Come!
25 JunJune 19, 1995 that was the first and last time I would see the Grateful Dead. Bob Dylan opened, I was with my childhood best friend and his Father (who took us) and what an experience it was…..at 13! Thanks Mom and Dad for letting me go to the show!
Fast forward 20 years and one week later and after losing count of the amount of The Dead, Furthur, Rat Dog, Phil & Friends, Mickey Hart Band, Dark Star Orchestra, etc. shows I’ve been to, it’s just shy of 24 hours until I board a plane to San Francisco to catch the two Fare Thee Well shows at Levi’s Stadium. While it won’t be the Chicago experience, it will be an amazing experience that I can’t wait to be a part of and perhaps even better given that it’s a short distance from the origin of the Grateful Dead.
Peace + Love + Music
Do You Hear The Music? 