Under the dazzling lights of Dolby Live, the air thrummed with anticipation as fans of Bruno Mars reveled in the unfolding spectacle. Their fervor was rewarded when Mars, in the midst of his electrifying encore, introduced his crooning counterpart for the hit song “Die With a Smile.” Exhilarating the sold-out crowd, the dynamic duo performed their poignant ballad not once but twice, cementing a night to remember. Since its release on August 16, the single has soared, nestling into the No. 3 spot on the Billboard singles chart, much to the delight of enthusiasts and chart-watchers alike.
The evening was punctuated with a memorable moment immortalized on Instagram, as Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga danced harmoniously, their voices intertwining in the lush melodies of their new collaboration at the Park MGM on Tuesday night.
A shift in the air signaled a new event horizon for festival-goers as Life is Beautiful unveiled its so-called consolation, A Big Beautiful Block Party. Touted as an intimate alternative to its predecessor, this fresh offering has fans exchanging quizzical glances. The eve of September 27th and 28th will see this scaled-down affair unfold in the less-glamorous confines of a downtown parking lot skirting the Plaza Hotel, a marked departure from East Fremont Street’s expansive 18-block canvas that has played host to the festival’s grandeur for over a decade.
Helming this surprising pivot are an eclectic ensemble. Fans can look forward to the heady beats of French electronic icons Justice, the soul-stirring mix sets of South Korea’s Peggy Gou, Britain’s electronic virtuoso Jamie XX, the rhythmically rich Jungle, the evocative keys of pianist James Blake, and the rousing anthems of American legends LCD Soundsystem. As for the rest of the roster, let’s just say search engines have been put to good use.
Prospective attendees, with wallets in hand, can now secure their slice of the experience with tickets and coveted VIP passes on offer starting at $178—available, rather unexpectedly, through the secondary market giant, StubHub.
The talk of the scene shifted to the visionary construction known as the Sphere—the ambitious concert venue emerging from the shadows of the Venetian. Coldplay’s Chris Martin, in a candid dialogue with Audacy Check In, reflected on U2’s seminal opening of the Sphere. His admiration for the show was palpable as he recounted the stirring performance that transported him back to the essence of fandom. Yet it was this very inspiration that sealed his decision to eschew the Sphere for the foreseeable future, preferring to bask in the afterglow of what he deemed was muse-like perfection.
Trivia runs amok as Coldplay’s 2021 album, “Music of the Spheres,” seems to serendipitously predate the very name of the venue unveiled in 2018—but Martin stays charmingly coy about any prior intentions.
Spinning further into Chris Martin’s trajectory, we find him in auspicious company. His name joins ranks with A$AP Rocky and The Weeknd as part of the star-studded lineup primed for the festivities of the IHeartRadio Music Festival, set to take the stage at T-Mobile Arena come September 20-21. The inventory of luminaries is dazzling, with Gwen Stefani, Dua Lipa, the Black Crowes, and an array of stellar acts rounding out an unforgettable lineup. And at the helm, the inimitable Ryan Seacrest presides as host. Those keen to immerse themselves in this sonic journey are advised—tickets are ripe for the taking.
