Hi All,
The Pearl at The Palms definitely lives up to its name--this contemporary, classy and intimate venue is a precious gem for Las Vegas concert attendees. The Maloof brothers knew what they were doing when they added The Pearl to their hip Las Vegas hotel-casino The Palms!
The Pearl at The Palms only holds a couple of thousand people--about 1700 in standard seats and 390 on the floor according to The Palms at The Pearl web site. So unlike some of the huge arenas here in Vegas, concerts at The Pearl are an intimate experience--something which even captivates the performers. You simply can't get a bad seat--proof of this was the fact that my husband and I were sitting in the very last row of the top section, but the distance to the stage and overall sight lines were ones you would kill for at most venues.
The Pearl at The Palms opened last March while I was away living in Colorado, so what a treat to move back and check out this venue for the first time like I did for the Def Leppard and REO Speedwagon concert Friday night.
REO Speedwagon Concert Review
Seeing REO Speedwagon in concert is like visiting an old friend. You pretty much know their set cold since they always open with "Don't Him Go", Bruce Hall will always sing "Back On The Road Again" (even in a 45-minute set as opening act--maybe it's contractual), and other than "Can't Fight This Feeling" and the title track from their new album "Find Your Own Way Home" they don't play any songs beyond the Hi Infidelity album, although my personal favorites REO Speedwagon albums are "Good Trouble" and "Wheels Are Turnin'".
Yet you want to go see them anyway because despite playing these same old songs for in some cases like "Riding The Storm Out" and "157 Riverside Avenue" (which I guess Kevin Cronin always includes because he likes to show off his scat singing), they have been playing for over 30 years, REO Speedwagon plays with the enthusiasm of a band out on the road for the first time. They clearly love what they are doing.
I also like that Kevin Cronin has one of the few unique lead vocals out there today (as does Joe Elliott of Def Leppard)--a rarity. The only issue I have is that the band has never been the same since they parted ways with former lead guitarist Gary Richrath who was super-talented and simply a fun ham to watch on stage. They should just make up already and return REO Speedwagon to its former glory.
Def Leppard Concert Review
Headliners Def Leppard came out raring to go for their 90-minute set with a powerful version of "Rocket" set to simply stunning video graphics behind them. What was very impressive was that they managed to pack an arena-type stage onto the small stage at The Pearl and did not skimp on a single effect. Def Leppard is always great live, and they did not disappoint. My only issue was that they did not show enough of "Thunder God" Rick Allen on the side video boards. Watching Rick Allen play drums passionately, overcoming the odds after his accident years ago, is always inspirational.
The Vegas odds makers missed some action on the show, as I bet my husband that Phil Collen who always takes his shirt off during the concert at some point, would lose the shirt after no more than 3 songs, and I hit that perfectly. Hey if you can be in great shape at age 50, why not?
Highlights of the show included Def Leppard stepping forward on the extended stage for a special acoustic version of "Two Steps Behind" (which I haven't heard them play live since I saw them at Irvine Meadows Amphitheater and they did the song twice for a video shoot). Plus, the audience took over and sang the chorus to "Bringing On The Heartbreak" with such enthusiasm, that it was a show stopper. Joe Elliott and the band were obviously surprised and pleased about the crowd participation, and acknowledged the fans. It was a moment courtesy of the great intimate design of The Pearl.
Def Leppard did play it safe by only doing one song "Nine Lives" (ironic since REO Speedwagon had an older album "Nine Lives") from their new "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge" album which comes out April 29th. It was minus Tim McGraw who was on the racy video playing in the background, but as Joe Elliott joked, "only Time Mcgraw's hat could make it".
I really don't get why a band that has a new album out would only play one song from it, but I guess it is now tough for Def Leppard who only plays the standard 90-minute set now like all bands pretty much do, to figure out what to leave in the set list. Like REO Speedwagon, they also generally don't play songs beyond a certain point in time, which for them is after the "Adrenalize" album. Which is a shame, as I really liked "Euphoria" and "X" and the song "Slang" always sounds good live.
I give Def Leppard a lot of credit for still putting out new music even when there really isn't a radio format that is likely to play it, and hope they will continue to "Rock On" in concert for as long as they can, since they are a concert treat you can always count on.
Watch for your favorite performers at The Pearl at The Palms web site:
TIP: Save the ridiculous Ticketmaster fees that add a ton to a ticket price for absolutely no reason. Buy direct from The Pearl and save enough for a nice dinner out after the show!
--Melanie R. Jordan, Author, Publisher, Infopreneur/Marketing Coach and Sales Trainer/Coach with Vegas Inside Scoop (TM)!
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