Las Vegas has become a popular destination for A-list musicians and entertainers to set up shop for extended engagements known as residencies. In recent years, residencies by major artists like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Bruno Mars, and more have become a major draw for visitors to Sin City.
Why do artists do Vegas residencies?
There are several reasons top artists are attracted to Vegas residencies:
- Lucrative deals – Artists can earn millions per year through residency shows.
- Production value – Big-name artists have access to state-of-the-art stages, lighting, and effects to create stunning shows.
- Captive audience – Millions of people visit Vegas specifically for entertainment and concerts.
- Stable schedule – Residencies mean less time spent touring and traveling from city to city.
- Creativity – Residencies allow artists the flexibility to develop unique, themed shows.
For many performers, a Vegas residency can be extremely financially and creatively rewarding. The city provides the perfect backdrop for musicians, magicians, comedians and more to put on spectacular shows in world-class venues all year round.
The most popular current Vegas residencies
Here are some of the biggest star residencies happening in Las Vegas right now:
Lady Gaga – “Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano”
- Venue: Park Theater at Park MGM
- Dates: Select dates from April 2022 – June 2023
- Show highlights: Solo jazz & piano performance of Gaga’s hits and classics
Adele – “Weekends with Adele”
- Venue: The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
- Dates: January 2022 – March 2023
- Show highlights: First residency from the pop superstar
Katy Perry – “Play”
- Venue: Resorts World Theatre
- Dates: December 2021 – October 2022
- Show highlights: Colorful, campy visuals and Perry’s chart-topping hits
Carrie Underwood – “Reflection”
- Venue: Resorts World Theatre
- Dates: December 2021 – May 2022
- Show highlights: High-energy show featuring Underwood’s powerful vocals
Luke Bryan – “Luke Bryan: Vegas”
- Venue: Resorts World Theatre
- Dates: February 2022 – August 2022
- Show highlights: Bryan brings his country hits and infectious energy to the Strip
Iconic former Vegas residencies
Some legendary headliners have had incredibly successful residencies over the years in Vegas:
Celine Dion
- Show: “Celine”
- Venue: The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
- Dates: 2003 – 2019
- Notable info: Dion performed over 1,100 shows, earning $681 million
Britney Spears
- Show: “Britney: Piece of Me”
- Venue: Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood
- Dates: 2013 – 2017
- Notable info: Highest grossing Vegas residency by a female artist
Elton John
- Show: “The Red Piano”
- Venue: The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
- Dates: 2004 – 2009
- Notable info: 248 shows performed by the iconic singer-songwriter
Cher
- Show: “Cher”
- Venue: The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
- Dates: 2008 – 2011
- Notable info: 192 performances featuring timeless hits and dazzling costumes
Upcoming Vegas residencies
Several major artists have recently announced Vegas concert residencies set to begin in the next year:
Artist | Residency Show Title | Start Date | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
Silk Sonic | “An Evening with Silk Sonic” | February 2023 | Dolby Live at Park MGM |
John Legend | “Love in Las Vegas” | April 2022 | Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood |
Usher | TBA | July 2022 | The Colosseum at Caesars Palace |
Gwen Stefani | “Just a Girl” | February 2023 | Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood |
Shania Twain | “Let’s Go!” | December 2022 | Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood |
Las Vegas continues to attract the hottest names in music, comedy, magic and more for extended residencies. Fans can look forward to seeing their favorite stars put on spectacular shows in intimate Vegas venues for years to come.
Other notable celebrities with Vegas residencies
While music stars tend to dominate the Las Vegas residency scene, various comedians, magicians, and more have also secured lucrative long-term show deals in Sin City venues over the years, including:
- Jerry Seinfeld – The comedian performed over 60 shows of his standup residency at Caesars Palace.
- Penn & Teller – The iconic magic duo have performed at the Rio in Vegas since 2001.
- Criss Angel – The surrealist magician headlined at the Luxor for over a decade.
- Wayne Newton – The legendary crooner has performed in over 30,000 Vegas shows, earning the nickname “Mr. Las Vegas.”
- Jay Leno – The former Tonight Show host was a regular at The Mirage for years.
- Jimmy Kimmel – The late-night host has limited residency runs at Caesars Palace.
- Ray Romano – The comedian now has an ongoing residency at the Theatre at Resorts World.
- Mike Tyson – The boxing legend brings his one-man show to the MGM Grand Garden Arena periodically.
- RuPaul – The iconic drag queen hosted “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!” at the Flamingo for years.
- Carrot Top – The prop comedian headlines at the Luxor, performing multiple shows a week.
The diversity of acts with regular shows in Vegas demonstrates the city’s unique entertainment draw. Comedians can workshop new material, magicians debut big illusions, and more, with built-in Vegas crowds eager to see stars up close.
How do artists get a Vegas residency?
Typically, there are a few key steps for a performer to secure their own Las Vegas concert residency:
- Get offers from Vegas venues – Established stars may get recruiting pitches directly from major resorts.
- Find a booking agent – An experienced agent can shop an artist around and negotiate deals with different venues.
- Choose a resort partner – The artist and agent weigh factors like capacity, production values, and financial offer.
- Plan the show – The residency is built around the artist’s vision, involving sets, choreography, lighting, etc.
- Promote and sell tickets – Marketing campaigns aim to attract fans, often including room, meal and show packages.
- Build hype with press – Artists will often announce the residency through splashy TV appearances and interviews.
It can take over a year to plan a Las Vegas concert residency before opening night. But for those artists who can draw big crowds show after show, year after year, the effort and investment pay off in major long-term financial windfalls.
Why are residencies so popular now?
In the past decade, Las Vegas residencies have exploded in popularity among fans and performers alike. There are a few key reasons behind their rise:
- Higher production values – State-of-the-art stages and theater spaces allow for stunning visuals and effects.
- Lower risk – Artists commit to fewer shows compared to grueling global tours.
- Fan destination appeal – Superfans plan Vegas trips around seeing their idols live.
- Social media buzz – Residencies are huge social media attractors, building hype.
- Lucrative deals – Headliners can make upwards of $1 million per show in Vegas.
Younger pop stars now frequently incorporate residencies into their touring schedules. Performing regular shows in decked-out Vegas venues offers flexibility and major earning potential.
Do artists make more in Vegas vs. touring?
For top-tier artists, Las Vegas concert residencies can actually be significantly more profitable than traditional touring:
- Less overhead – There are lower costs without transporting stage sets and crew everywhere.
- More control – Artists choose their own show schedules in Vegas versus demanding tour routing.
- Higher ticket prices – Fans expect to pay Vegas show premiums, often over $200 per seat.
- VIP offerings – From meet-and-greets to private tables, residencies unlock new revenue streams.
- Merchandising – Captive venue audiences present lucrative merch selling opportunities.
While global touring remains essential for many artists, residencies let them maximize earnings while minimizing the grueling pace of life on the road. The numbers add up fast for superstars able to draw consistently huge crowds to the Vegas strip.
Do artists live in Vegas during residencies?
Most artists will temporarily setup residence in Las Vegas for portions of their residency, but they are rarely full-time Vegas denizens. A few patterns among resident headliners:
- Short-term stays – Leasing homes/apartments during packed show blocks only.
- Hotel suites – Some artists live out of dedicated residency venue suites.
- Commuting – Private jets make quick trips home between Vegas shows possible.
- Partial seasons – Months-long Vegas stays split across the full residency term.
Artists with families or established lives in places like Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville will often opt to commute in for show dates rather than uprooting their lives permanently. The flexibility afforded by residencies lets stars tailor their own routines around Vegas gigs.
Do they contribute to the local economy?
Las Vegas residencies generate massive economic benefits for the city beyond just tourists buying tickets, including:
- Increased hotel bookings
- More visitors using taxis, rideshares, parking garages, etc.
- Patronage of bars, restaurants, clubs and other venues
- Higher gaming revenue at casinos
- Commissions and wages for resort employees
- Tens of millions in state/local taxes
Studies have estimated big name residencies generate over $35 in indirect economic impact for every $1 in ticket sales. Local businesses rely heavily on the steady streams of music fans that A-list residencies draw to Las Vegas.
Do they give back to the community?
Beyond economic benefits, many artists make an effort to connect with and give back to the Las Vegas community during their residencies:
- Charity shows – Lady Gaga donated proceeds from two shows to victims of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.
- Local partners – Katy Perry involved students from the Clark County School District choir in her residency.
- Community events – Adele visited a local summer school and surprised students with free concert tickets.
- Donations – Cher gifted $60,000 worth of musical instruments to a Nevada marching band program.
Resident headliners earn enormous sums during their Vegas runs. Many feel it’s important to donate time, money and resources toward causes in the community that supports them.
Conclusion
Las Vegas is now one of the premier destinations in the world for A-list musical residencies. Top artists are drawn by the lucrative deals, production resources, and the city’s reputation as the entertainment capital. Fans flock there to see their favorite stars perform in intimate, state-of-the-art venues.
Residency shows have become key economic drivers and tourism magnets for Las Vegas. With newer venues like Resorts World Theatre recently opening, the city will continue attracting the hottest headliners for years to come through exclusive concert partnerships on the Strip.