Metallica packs rock spectacle
Metal mavens head list of shows coming to Vegas in November
In heavy metal terms, it’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet of all-you-can-eat buffets.
This is the world that Metallica inhabits: Everything is Big Gulp-sized; too much is never enough.
They’re the biggest act of their ilk ever, and their tours always reflect this.
The band’s latest outing, in support of rejuvenatedsounding 2016 double album “Hardwired … To Self-destruct,” has spanned two years and grossed more than $200 million with a stage production boasting 52 LED video cubes, “the world’s first autonomous indoor drone swarm” and plenty more cutting-edge flourishes.
In lieu of a traditional opening band, comedian Jim Breuer will warm up the crowd at T-mobile Arena on Nov. 26 in what will be Metallica’s first nonfestival appearance here in nine years.
It’s the biggest show of the month, and possibly the year.
Other notable concerts for November:
Maxwell, The Pearl at the Palms, Sunday
Maxwell’s so damn smooth, it’s a wonder the neo-soul heartthrob doesn’t just slide ride out of his designer duds — much to the chagrin of his adoring female fan base, who’ll be getting up close and personal with the singer on his “50 Intimate Nights Live Tour.”
NF, The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Nov. 10
This Michigan rhymer makes no bones about his main influence: “I’ve been doing this since I was just a kid and Mama bought me ‘8 Mile’ at the movie store,” he explains on his chart-topping latest record, “Perception,” citing home-state hero Eminem. While NF’S sharp, assertive
MUSIC
delivery does bring to mind Marshall Mathers, there’s a crucial difference: Unlike Slim Shady, this introspective MC keeps it clean.
Billy Gibbons, Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq, Nov. 16
Sing “The Big Bad Blues” when ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons airs tunes from his recently released solo record, where he covers genre titans such as Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley and reminds us that he remains a genre titan himself with fresh cuts of his own.
Ghost, The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, Nov. 17
Speaking of ghosts, these winkingly demonic Swedes don’t worship Satan as much as the phantom of ’70s rock radio. Hey Beelzebub, more cowbell! They ride into Vegas on their “Pale Horse Named Death Tour” in support of their darkly anthemic fourth album, “Prequelle.”
Lil Xan, House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, Nov. 18
This young Soundcloud rapper with the inked-up face is back at it after a rough September, when he announced his retirement from music after the death of fellow MC Mac Miller and was briefly hospitalized after he claimed to have eaten too many Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Happens to us all.
A Perfect Circle, The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan, Nov. 18
These sepulchral hard rockers last hit town in April, headling Las Rageous the day their understated record “Eat the Elephant” hit stores. Playing more intimate confines this time should suit their moody, borderline-mellow new material well.
The Orb, Brooklyn Bowl, Nov. 20
During the Clinton-era