From makeshift stages in the desert, to people’s living rooms, to the back of record stores, Las Vegas musicians have always found places to play.
The redevelopment of downtown Las Vegas – especially in the Arts District -- has seen several new music venues come on board. Sadly, many of them have shuttered over the last two years. In the Arts District, Sinwave, Artifice, and the original Swan Dive all closed over the course of 18 months. Nearby, the Sand Dollar Lounge inside said goodbye.
"It's sad to see a lot of these great venues close," said Amber Sampson, arts and entertainment editor for the Las Vegas Weekly, which regularly covers the local music scene. "I think part of it comes down to rents [being] too high downtown. I think that's a huge part of it. I know that was a factor into why Sinwave closed. I think a part of it, too, is the engagement from the local audience. I've heard from some promoters who've said, "We had a great booking and barely anybody showed up."
Fortunately – in line with Las Vegas tradition -- a new crop of venues has taken their place. The forthcoming Bizarre Bar will take the place of Swan Dive, which will return soon in the smaller, former Sinwave space Dustland Bar opened in 2025 with an outdoor stage, and Hola Habibi has been bringing live performances to Casino Center Drive since late 2024.
Meanwhile, East Fremont Street's music spots are thriving, from Backstage Bar and Billiards off Sixth Street to The Usual Place on Maryland Parkway. Typically, local acts can be found supporting bigger touring acts, or — in the case of Ferguson's outdoor stage — headline a Vegas-centric showcase. Chalk it up to the short distance between venues and promoters that keep the calendars full.
"Pulsar Presents and Smash Magazine do an incredible job of getting these really huge names that audiences and fans just want to get out and see," said Gab Rodriguez, a staff writer who focuses on music for the Weekly. "And it does help that their favorite bars are down the street from the venue where they can pre-game and hang out or post-game after the shows."
Meanwhile, the city keeps churning out new young talent, from the melodic hardcore of Roman Candle to the sung-rapped sensitivity of Quinn Ayers. Then there's Akaya Taylor, who is a model and actress by day, and an R&B singer by night.
"She has beautiful vocals — very velvety, very warm," Sampson said. "Her song 'Waves' that came out in December, it's just glossy and just gorgeous. So I was really taken aback by her — like, who is this hidden gem that's been here in the scene that I didn't even know about?"
Amber Sampson, arts and entertainment editor, Las Vegas Weekly; Gab Rodriguez, staff writer, Las Vegas Weekly
