If there is something that I love more than winning when it comes to land-based casinos, it’s attending rock events and this will come as no surprise if you’ve ever been to one. I mean there’s something about live music in these glamorous places that just sets my heart on fire. And what can be more alive than rock and metal music, with the sweet trembling sound of the guitar strings? To give you a little taste of my passion, let’s have a look at some of the greatest shows from the past and some new ones to look forward to.
Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival
This was one of the most anticipated concerts for rock fans in the summer of 2014 and if you had been there, you would have felt your heart jump with joy. It took place in the heart of Vegas rock and casino fans – the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and it was nothing short of a masterpiece, with multi-platinum band Godsmack headlining, along with Skillet and Pop Evil. Godsmack have sold over 20 million albums and have been my favourite band for two years now. The concert has been going on every year and it was described as ‘a dream line-up for hard rock fans’, by Paige Montgomery from the Denver Post.
Five Finger Death Punch and Papa Roach
The two rock titans have decided to join forces and set out on a tour for the first time together. The tour will have a stop at The Joint at the same Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, on the 19th of September this year, but unfortunately tickets are sold out a long time ago. The interesting fact about this event is that the fans were able to request it, during a ‘demand campaign’ organised by the two bands. The 5FDP guitarist Zoltan Bathory said: “This tour is shaping up to be the perfect storm. We are really good friends with Papa Roach so for years we’ve been talking about touring together and it’s finally coming together in a big way. Both 5fdp and Papa Roach are bands of the people – our fans are who propelled us to success. So what better way than to give the fans ownership in the tour? In the world of Wikipedia and Kickstarter where crowd funding and crowd sourcing has become the standard of community effort and the new way of making things happen this might quite possibly be the future of touring – you simply ask the fans where they want you to go”.
Scorpions with Special Guest Queensryche
As part of their 50th Anniversary Wolrd Tour that kicked off in May, The Scorpions will make a stop at the same posh location – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, on October 7. Tickets are also sold out, after only being on sale for a short period of time. While Scorpions need no introduction, Queensrÿche is an American heavy metal band formed back in 1982. The group was nominated numerous time at the Grammys. In 1992, their ‘Silent Lucidity’ won the Viewer’s Choice Award at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
On September 18, The Joint in Las Vegas will host another great name in the rock industry – Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. Joan was voted as one of the top 100 greatest guitarists of all times, by the Rolling Stones magazine. Her dedication to the genre won the Blackhearts numerous awards and she recently became Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (class of 2015).
Korn at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino
On October 23, 2015, the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino will host the band Korn, which will forever be linked to the ‘nu metal’ movement. The band was formed in the early 90s and has numerous nominations and 11 awards, among which two Grammys: Best Short Form Music Video for ‘Freak on a Leash’ in 2000 and Best Metal Performance for ‘Here to Stay’ in 2003.