Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capitol of the world. What a bold statement. I am inclined to agree that it is appropriate, though!
Vegas has Cirque du Soleil shows up and down the strip, among many (MANY) showrooms with well known acts and lesser-known acts in all corners of the valley. Surely there is no shortage of entertainment in this town. For people adventurous enough to look at the 'non-traditional' entertainment options, there is a vibrant local music scene too!
Pictured above is a local showcase that happens almost monthly at the House of Blues Las Vegas (located in the Mandalay Bay property on the south end of the strip). The promoter behind the 'ENVY Showcase' is Josh Figgs, one of a few folks who are working very hard to make sure the scene is not only going, but growing in the Las Vegas valley. There are new venues opening downtown and festivals slated to bring national acts here, as well. This is all really, really good news for the bands and musicians who are in the Vegas music scene. but I think there is a lot of work that still needs to be done.
For the most part, showcases like the one pictured above are a chance for 5 to 6 bands from varying genres to play a show in a great venue for a great crowd. There is a certain energy to seeing a local band on a big stage in a concert hall (instead of on the patch of floor that the small bar calls the 'stage area') and playing through a well-designed sound system that is being run by professionals. Even with the most recent showcase, which was my 8th time playing that stage in a year's time, there was a great sense of joy to be THERE. For the most part...
Vegas has Cirque du Soleil shows up and down the strip, among many (MANY) showrooms with well known acts and lesser-known acts in all corners of the valley. Surely there is no shortage of entertainment in this town. For people adventurous enough to look at the 'non-traditional' entertainment options, there is a vibrant local music scene too!
Pictured above is a local showcase that happens almost monthly at the House of Blues Las Vegas (located in the Mandalay Bay property on the south end of the strip). The promoter behind the 'ENVY Showcase' is Josh Figgs, one of a few folks who are working very hard to make sure the scene is not only going, but growing in the Las Vegas valley. There are new venues opening downtown and festivals slated to bring national acts here, as well. This is all really, really good news for the bands and musicians who are in the Vegas music scene. but I think there is a lot of work that still needs to be done.
For the most part, showcases like the one pictured above are a chance for 5 to 6 bands from varying genres to play a show in a great venue for a great crowd. There is a certain energy to seeing a local band on a big stage in a concert hall (instead of on the patch of floor that the small bar calls the 'stage area') and playing through a well-designed sound system that is being run by professionals. Even with the most recent showcase, which was my 8th time playing that stage in a year's time, there was a great sense of joy to be THERE. For the most part...
At most shows, I've encountered one or two musicians or bands that seem to think they are 'better' than all the others. I reach out and tried to be cordial, but almost always end up really disappointed with these folks. Why must there be a 'Better than' at all? Are they technically the best at their craft, NO WAY. Are they drawing more people into the audience, NOT REALLY. Is their genre/style 'better' than all the others, I THINK NOT. So the only thing that is left to believe is that they are so insecure that they lash out with an over-inflated sense of self. It is sad, really. It is also what is wrong with the music scene in Las Vegas.
Until we can be a supportive scene that relishes in the opportunities present, the heart and passion that goes into crafting 'Vegas Music' and the diversity of the bands, we will never be able to fully realize the amazing potential we have before us. As much as this scene is doing already, we cannot become a known aspect of the Entertainment Capitol of the world,