Dragons’ Reynolds loves his hometown
Iare rock headliners around the world and just finished an international concert spree. But in Las Vegas, members of the band serve as civic spokesmen.
Frontman Dan Reynolds talked of his affection for his hometown during the band’s thunderous performance Saturday during the iheartradio Music Festival at T-mobile Arena. He opened with recollections of Oct. 1, when he and his bandmates made frenetic calls the next morning after hearing of the tragedy at the Route 91 Harvest festival on the Strip.
“I can tell you the city means everything to me. We try every day to be honorable to it, to represent it in a way that is true to the Vegas that we love,” Reynolds said from the stage. Reynolds offered a toast to the first responders and residents of Las Vegas.
“We’ve rallied together, with the Golden Knights — when I was a kid, we didn’t seem like we had something to connect us, but we’ve had a lot that’s connected us in the last year,” Reynolds continued. “Even though I’ve been overseas, we’ve come home to the Las Vegas that I know and love. I love this city. To all the families and friends who have suffered, we love you. Vegas strong!”
Imagine Dragons helped headline an all-star variety show, along with The Killers, Dec. 1 at T-mobile. The band is accustomed to playing alongside superstar acts. Those who preceded them Saturday included Justin Timberlake, Shawn Mendes, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Lynyrd Skynyrd. DJ Logic closed the show, and Lil Jon performed between sets to keep the buzz going.
On many nights, Skynyrd appearing on the same bill with Timberlake, Lil Jon and DJ Logic would make no sense. But in Las Vegas, iheartradio has built a tent that welcomes everyone. Saturday, Imagine Dragons were suitable hosts.
Viva Aldean?
Linked indelibly to Las Vegas, Jason Aldean faced the concept of a residency in this city Friday night.
And he liked it.
Aldean, who was onstage when the shooting started on Oct. 1, said prior to the iheartradio Music Festival’s opening night that he would be interested in a Las Vegas residency, but “the timing for something like that has to be right.”
Asked if he’d been in talks for an extended engagement in town, the country star said, “I, personally, have not been in talks, but maybe somebody else in my camp has. Maybe you know something I don’t … But it’s definitely something I’d be into at some point. I’ve had friends who have come out here and done that. I think if the opportunity presents itself, it would be cool.”
In emphasizing the timing of a resident series in Las Vegas, Aldean said he deals daily with his own memories of Oct. 1.
“For us, it’s sort of been a daily thing. Every night in our meet-and-greets, we meet new fans who were here,” he said. “I don’t think we’ve played a show this year where we haven’t had survivors come out to the show. I feel we do that on a daily basis, not just as the anniversary’s coming up.”
Aldean has three shows remaining on his current tour.
“Then we’re off; we’re done touring for the year,” he said. “But for me, every year Oct. 1 rolls around it’s something we’ll be reminded of and sticks with us. It’s going to be a little weird. This is our first performance in Las Vegas since then, but at the same time it’s a way for us to get through all that stuff.”
During Friday’s show, Aldean was joined by another Route 91 headliner from October, radio host Bobby Bones, who fronts The Raging Idiots. From the stage, the two spoke briefly about the tragedy.
“On Oct. 1, 22,000 people gathered in Las Vegas to celebrate their love for country music,” Bones said to lead into a video of the night. “I was there myself performing with my band and what started as a beautiful weekend was shattered when a senseless act of violence took 58 lives and impacted countless others and the families forever.”
Then first responders joined the artists onstage.
“We salute the city of
Las Vegas. These men and women onstage with me are just some of the men and women who acted selflessly on 1 October,” Bones said. “They represent the spirit, they represent the strength, they represent the resilience of the entire city. And they represent the unbreakable resolve of this great country that we live in.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @ Johnnykats1 on Instagram. As of 9 p.m. Sunday:
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