Viva Las Vegassssss!
The nation’s music lovers were frantically calling local radio stations to win tickets for this epic concert series and were anxiously waiting for it to begin at the magnificent MGM Grand Resort, specifically MGM Grand Arena. This was September 21st and 22nd of 2013, the weekend for the iHeartRadio Festival where music lovers gather in this growing and always changing desert city to see their favorite and latest top of the charts pop singers, hip-hop stars, DJ’s, and live bands at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
This year the “Village Stage” was added allowing music lovers to enjoy the concerts from MGM Resorts outside of Las Vegas. The performers in this year’s bill were a lineup to die for – names such as Katy Perry, Elton John, Keith Urban, MUSE, Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, Sir Paul McCartney, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown and DJ Tiësto all took the stage.
A few of us were invited to attend the September 21st concert and then continue backstage to catch the live action behind-the-scenes. Working 90-mph at top speed, at times we felt like we were standing in the way of the crew who were all hurrying to prepare for the first night’s concert. Everything was being done at once – from loading in the music equipment, preparing the dressing rooms for the performers to working with performers on stage for rehearsals and sound-checks. We watched J.Cole rehearsing and raving over Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, sound set-ups, camera set-ups, lighting set-ups, and everything else necessary to ensure a smooth running concert.
Backstage there were 16,800 capacity studio rooms and ballrooms. The 10,000 square feet of studio rooms were sectioned off into 1,100-2,000 square feet for the media to conduct interviews. TV personalities Ryan Seacrest, who was hosting the iHeartRadio Festival, to Mario Lopez would give their interviews in these backstage sections of the MGM Grand Arena. A room also contained a bright colored red carpet for photo ops with the performers, guest celebrities, and TV personalities.
Going backstage, we sensed the crew was 100% dedicated to make these two nights of concert a top-notch production for the music lovers, MGM Resorts, and for the city of Las Vegas!
It is now show time!!! The moment we have all been waiting for. The moment where all the lucky winners who won tickets were dying to get in for, a night of music history, the iHeartRadio Festival! Ryan Seacrest introduced “The Summer Set” to open up the show. P. Diddy made a special appearance to introduce Robin Thicke for the song “Blurred Lines”; his introduction immediately turned on the crowd – they roared to their feet dancing and screaming – it was pure fun filled adrenaline.
The handsome hunk, Keith Urban charmed the ladies off their feet, MUSE rocked out with superiority, Tiësto got the crowd going on the turntables, J.Cole was there with special guests TLC and Miguel, Elton John, was dressed to the nines as usual, Chris Brown was there with special guests Benny Benassi as was the silly Ylvis of “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?”). Kate Hudson introduced the girl who “kissed a girl”, Katy Perry, and Queen+Adam Lambert rocked out the classics and ended the concert with “We are the Champions”.
Are you all amazed with this line-up?!? I certainly was. It was a spectacular night with a variety of music from Pop to Rock to Electronic dance; there was no shortage of variety at the iHeartRadio Festival. All the performers know how to entertain big and energized crowds with light shows, pyrotechnics, choreographic dancers, dazzling outfits, and most importantly – musical talent.
Tiësto surely caught my attention and of course rock-stars MUSE will always remain as one of my personal top favorites. Chances are if you weren’t familiar with a specific iHeartRadio Festival performer, seeing them live on stage will turn you into a new fan. Thank you iHeartRadio and MGM Resorts! #iheartmgm
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