Ne-yo coming to Encore theater in August
HE’S a multi-hyphenate superstar. He’s a three-time Grammy Award winner, an artist who has amassed 23 billion streams worldwide. He’s a proud Las Vegan, and he’s leading a “Human Love Rebellion” to a chic Strip theater.
We are speaking of Ne-yo, who is making his Encore Theater debut Aug. 7, 9 and 10. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday at Ticketmaster.com.
Ne-yo most recently played Vegas at the Lovers and Friends festival at Las Vegas Festival Grounds this past May. His debut single, 2005’s “So Sick,” ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified quadruple-platinum (more than 4 million sales). He has since rolled up a series of hits with “Closer,” “Because of You,” “Miss Independent,” and “Push Back” (feat. Bebe Rexha and Stefflon Don).”
The recording superstar has also written hits for other international hitmakers. He was behind Rihanna’s “Unfaithful,” “Russian Roulette,” and “Take a Bow,” along with Beyoncé’s 2006 breakup anthem “Irreplaceable.” He has written for such artists as Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion and Mario also.
The multi-hyphen enters the scene with his acting resume.
Ne-yo’s film and television credits include NBC’S “World of Dance,” Netflix’s “Dance Monsters,” “Empire,” “Stomp the Yard,” “Save the Last Dance,” “Battle: Los Angeles,” “George Lucas’ Red Tails,” “The Wiz Live!,” “Starz’ Step Up: High Water,” “Hiphop Family Christmas Wedding” and “The Sound of Christmas.” Ne-yo is to be starring in the upcoming season of
50 Cent’s acclaimed drama series “BMF” on STARZ.
Encore Theater is among the busiest and most successful venues in the country. Last year, it was named Billboard’s highest-grossing theater under 2,500 capacity and a top 10-grossing venue in the world at under 5,000 capacity.
Encore Theater has hosted performances by such superstars as Brad Paisley, Bryan Adams, Diana Ross, Duran Duran, Jack Johnson, John Fogerty, John Mellencamp, Justin Bieber, Maxwell, New Edition, Lionel Richie and Robbie Williams, along with top stand-up comedians as Ali Wong, Chris Tucker, Jim Gaffigan, Nate Bargatze, Sebastian Maniscalco, Steve Martin and Martin Short, and Taylor Tomlinson.
Her name is Rio …
Duran Duran is an arena band that packs a punch in a theater.
The English pop-rock band returns to Encore Theater at Wynn on May 3-4. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday at Ticketmaster.com.
Encore Theater, which seats 1,480, is the most intimate of Duran Duran’s touring stops. The band sold out their previous run in September and October 2022. Front man Simon Lebon joked from the stage, “Compared to the places we normally play, this seems like a well-appointed bathroom.”
The familiar roster of Lebon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor continue to power the production. The band revives such classics as “Union of the Snake, “Notorious, ” “Rio,” “Girls on Film,” “Wild Boys” and the personal favorite James Bond theme, “A View to a Kill.”
They have also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and continue to perform for a global following. The crowd at the band’s Encore premiere in September 2022 stood the entire time, and knew all the words.
Heart, and then some
Generational stars are peppering the Vegas show scene.
Heart is back on the road, and the Las Vegas Strip is on the schedule. Rick Springfield and Richard Marx are pairing up, off the Strip, too.
The long-awaited return tour of the band fronted by Ann and Nancy Wilson stops at Bleaulive Theater at Fontainebleau on Dec. 13. Springfield and Marx team on their acoustic tour stop at Pearl at the Palms on Aug. 17. Tickets for both shows are on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at ticketmaster.com.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, Heart most recently played Las Vegas at iheartradio Music Festival at T-mobile Arena in September 2019. Their most recent residency was at House of Blues on Aug. 13-15, 2015 and Nov. 19-21, 2015.
The band has sold more than 35 million albums internationally, with 20 top 40 singles,including“magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You” and “These Dreams.”
Heart’s current lineup is Nancy Wilson (rhythm, lead and acoustic guitar, backing and lead vocals),ann Wilson (lead vocals and flute), Ryan Wariner (lead and rhythm guitar), Ryan Waters (guitars),paul Moak (guitars, keyboards and backing vocals), Tony Lucido (bass and backing vocals) and Sean T Lane (drums).
Springfield and Marx are touring together for the first time. Springfield has headlined at The Strat Showroom and Fremont Street Experience within the last year. Marx performed a series at the Flamingo in August-september 2017. Prior to that, he was featured at Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace, which this year is turning over to Caspian’s Caviar & Cocktails.
Springfield has notched 17 top 40 hits, including “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “An Affair of the Heart,” “I’ve Done Everything for You,” “Love Somebody” and “Human Touch.”
Marx has sold more than 30 million albums internationally. His self-titled debut went to No. 8 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, charting four top 5 singles, including “Hold on to the Nights” and“don’t Mean Nothing.” His follow-up, 1989’s “Repeat Offender,” went quadruple-platinum with two No. 1 singles, “Satisfied” and “Right Here Waiting.”