A million bands play rock and roll. Only one band is rock and roll. And since perhaps no city is more rock and roll than Las Vegas, I always make it a point to try and see the Stones in Vegas whenever they come through town.
The Stones played at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday. I’ve written previously about the benefits of staying within the Mandalay/Luxcalibur campus if you’re going to a game at the stadium. What I hadn’t realized before is how much the Delano improves on that.
For those who don’t know, the Delano is the “extra” building that’s part of Mandalay Bay, just as Encore is for Wynn and Palazzo is for Venetian. The key here is that Delano is a half-block closer to the stadium than Mandalay itself, which makes the walk all the more easier. Not only that, but the elevators at Delano are on the stadium side of the tower, only a few steps from the exit. The elevator practically spits you out onto Hacienda Avenue, the street that goes over I-15 and connects the south Strip resorts to the stadium. It’s closed to vehicular traffic on event days and becomes a giant pedestrian mall.
I’ve seen the Stones before in an outdoor stadium (Giants Stadium) and indoor arenas (MGM Grand Garden, Madison Square Garden), but I never in an indoor stadium. The crowd was geared up and ready to party and the band didn’t disappoint; it never does! They came right out of the gate with classics like “Start Me Up,” “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” and “Get Off Of My Cloud.”
The large enclosed space gave rise to some echoes in the sound, which enhanced some songs and muddled others. But Mick’s vocals and Keith’s guitars were as solid as ever.
Every time I see the Stones, I think, this could be the last time (to quote a lyric to a song they didn’t play), as they can’t keep this up forever. Then, a few years later, I see them again and they’re stronger than before. Keep in mind that these guys are 80 years old! And they move around and dance in a way that I can’t do (30 years their junior) and what’s more, that I couldn’t do when I was half the age I am now. Mick definitely got more steps in, prancing around the stage, than I did on the walk to the stadium and back.
The backup performers were all top-notch and the Stones bring in a huge, crisp, high-def video screen that’s even bigger than the permanent screens in the stadium. The smell of pot (or any smoke at all) was practically nonexistent, which was a pleasant surprise.
There was an opening act that I’d never heard of and didn’t care about. The Stones went on at 9:15 for an 8 o’clock show and played two solid hours of hits. When the show was ever, exiting was a breeze and I was back in my room at Delano a mere 20 minutes after leaving my seat.
In a town full of world-class entertainment (on the same night, in fact, you could have also seen such huge draws as Carlos Santana or Justin Timberlake), there’s nothing like a Stones concert in Vegas. When they come around again in a few years at age 83 or 84 or even 85, I highly recommend going to see them. Just make sure you rest up beforehand and bring some extra energy. You’ll need it more than they will!
