The Death of the Vegas Headliner- Part 2: What’s Hot, What’s Not, and What’s Next
Residencies, Sphere, Spiegelworld, and Veterans Light Up the Strip
Hey Vegas crew, it’s Jason from @VegasUncomped, back with Part 2, fresh from a Rocks Lounge chat where folks raved about Sinatra, Elvis, and Celine’s glory days. If ya need to catch up with part one… 👇
Now, marquees are blazing again with killer residencies, short-run bangers, the Sphere’s wild tech, and Spiegelworld’s edgy twist.
I’m over Cirque, too many naps through their samey flips, but I’m all in for acts that deliver.
Vegas needs to keep what’s hot, fix what’s stale, bring back what worked, and push for epic nights. This dive spills what’s gangbusters, what needs to change, and how Vegas can keep marquees lit, with a nod to Metallica’s Sphere hopes.
The Sphere: Marquees Go Galactic
There’s a lot of talk about the Sphere; I’ve mentioned it plenty, but it fits here; it is undeniably one of the best Marquees we have seen in Las Vegas.
The Sphere, opened in 2023, is a 366-foot orb with 1.2 million LED pucks and a 16K interior screen, a marquee that feels like it dropped from a sci-fi flick. U2’s 2023 residency (40 shows, $150 million gross) turned “With or Without You” into a visual dream, with deserts blooming onscreen. The Eagles’ 2024-26 run (48 shows) pairs “Hotel California” with starfields that leave fans floored.
Metallica’s rumored 2026 residency could bring their heavy-metal thunder, with Lars Ulrich hyping an immersive show to rival U2, maybe even tossing in EDM remixes like “Lux Æterna” to pull everyone from metalheads to ravers.
The Sphere’s also hosted EDM acts like Anyma, proving it’s a stage for all tastes. Backstreet Boys’ 2025 shows and Carín León’s 2026 Mexican Independence Day gigs will keep the vibe diverse. This place isn’t just a venue; it’s a marquee revolution.
And resorts? They need to find ways to keep up, and it’s entirely doable.
Residencies: Gangbusters That Own the Night
Residencies are Vegas’s heartbeat, delivering intimate, high-energy nights, so many people plan a vacation around seeing their favorite artists’ residency. It’s an absolute money maker for Vegas if they bring in the right talent.
Aerosmith’s Deuces Are Wild at Dolby Live (2019-22) grossed $37.5 million over 50 shows, packing Dolby Live with “Sweet Emotion” and raw riffs. I saw both residencies and was at their last show before the remaining five were cancelled due to Tyler being sick. You would not have noticed there was anything wrong at all. I’ve seen this band plenty of times, and there was undoubtedly something special seeing them in Las Vegas, in a great venue where they had tailored it to their performance. Tyler belted out all the hits, while Joe and the band played them perfectly. Both nights were something I’ll never forget.
Lady Gaga’s Enigma and Jazz & Piano at Park MGM (2018-22) pulled $48.4 million in 2019, mixing “Bad Romance” spectacles with jazzy standards. A show so big, they still have an entire merch shop, “House of Gaga,” dedicated to the experience. I missed this one, wife’s mad, things just never fell into place. It’s going to end up a regret, but I have a feeling she’ll be back playing an all-new show in a big round ball in the near future.
Bruno Mars at Dolby Live (2016-25) has raked in $124.5 million with “Uptown Funk” and slick moves. I caught his 2024 New Year’s Eve gig; the crowd was electric, not always my kind of music, but it was undoubtedly a great time. I’d do it again for sure.
Carrie Underwood’s REFLECTION at Resorts World Theatre (2023-2025) packed seats with “Before He Cheats” and pyrotechnics that shake the room. I caught her 2023 show, Carrie belted “Cowboy Casanova” like she was taming the Strip itself, and the crowd went nuts. Probably the best thing ever at Resorts World.
Garth Brooks’ Plus One at The Colosseum (2023-2025) turned seats into a honky-tonk with “Friends in Low Places”. Caught him in 2024, guy’s strumming like he’s in your living room, then cranks “The Thunder Rolls” to shake the roof. People are still pissed about the cell phone bag thing, though.
These residencies are events, not just shows, keeping marquees lit for fans who keep coming back.
Short Runs: Quick Hits, Big Sparks
Short-run residencies keep marquees fresh with high-octane bursts.
The Killers’ 2024 Colosseum run (10 shows) sold out in hours, with “Mr. Brightside” sparking sing-alongs. A friend who went said it felt like a Vegas house party, intimate, electric, packed to the rafters. Sadly, I missed this one, so Killers, please do this one again. I promise I won’t let you down this time.
Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds at Dolby Live (9 shows in 2025, & 11 in 2026) dives into Van Halen’s catalog, grossing millions with “Right Now”. I saw Hagar’s 2025 opener; his energy at 77 put younger acts to shame, and “Love Walks In” had the crowd roaring. Last week I caught the presale and will be at show #2 of 2026. (VGK plays night one, so…..)
Ashlee Simpson’s I Am Me at The Venetian (2025, short run) brings 2000s hits like “Pieces of Me” to smaller venues, pulling nostalgic fans.
Spiegelworld: The Party Vegas Deserves
Spiegelworld’s stealing the spotlight with Superfrico, Ski Lodge, and The Party at The Cosmopolitan, delivering the intimate, edgy nights Cirque can’t touch. Superfrico’s “Italian American Psychedelic” vibe is a sensory overload; pistachio mortadella pizza, vinyl DJs, and roaming burlesque acts make it a house party, not just a restaurant. I eat there often and will be attending “The Party” this week, so look for a review to follow.
Ski Lodge, a cozy winter hideaway, slings craft cocktails and frico-crusted pizzas with a year-round snowfall view, earning a 2024 Spirited Award for Best U.S. Hotel Bar.
The Party, launched in July 2025, is a 50-seat dinner show featuring Laurie Hagen’s fiery burlesque and variety acts, paired with a $150 three-course menu. X is buzzing about it, with fans loving the intimate chaos, and Las Vegas Review-Journal called its acts “edgy” and “heightened”. Spiegelworld’s smaller venues and fresh performers are what Vegas needs: wild, immersive, and never dull. They also have Disco show, Absinthe, and Atomic Saloon in town.
What Needs to Change
Vegas isn’t flawless; some fixes could make marquees pop. Cirque du Soleil’s five shows-Mystère, O, KÀ, Michael Jackson ONE, Mad Apple still draw fans. But like many others, I’m done; I napped through O last spring, divers are cool, but it’s the same flips with new props. Actually, I don’t remember not falling asleep at a Cirque show.
LOVE’s closure and 2020 bankruptcy show more than cracks, and I regularly turn down any discounted tickets in favor of a great meal and show or live music.
Resorts like Bellagio and MGM cling to custom theaters, O’s pool, KÀ’s platforms, but Cirque needs fresh acts. Michael Jackson ONE’s new video tech could be a start, or it’s just running reruns? Theaters need upgrades too; I saw half of Ka last year with muddy sound and grumpy ushers, nothing like the Sphere’s polish, or even newer theaters. The Cirque houses are showing their age; mostly, all of them are housed in MGM properties. I don’t think they see an exit path in sight. Many are considered permanent shows, putting their decline troubles in serious question.
The same boring shows need a refresh if Vegas wants to continue to reinvent itself. At least change the show and make it a revamp to see if there is interest. I’m not buying these tickets, are you?
The Future: Keep the Fire Burning
In many ways, Vegas is roaring back, with marquees hotter than ever. The Sphere’s tech and acts like U2, Eagles, Grateful Dead, and maybe Metallica 🤞make every night an event. Residencies like Aerosmith’s, Gaga’s, and Carrie Underwood’s deliver intimacy and spectacle, while short runs like Hagar’s and The Killers’ keep things fresh.
Spiegelworld’s Superfrico and The Party are redefining nightlife with wild, intimate vibes.
To stay gangbusters, Vegas must ditch the stale, Cirque’s loops, outdated theaters, and lean into bold ideas. I, for one, say they ditch the circus; it’s tired. People want something different; they want things that are new and exciting. They’re proving it with live music and residencies being more popular than ever. This is the way!
What do they do with the boring theatres? IDK, maybe they turn them into E-sport gaming venues, revamp them to supperclubs with multiple old school burlesque shows.
Here’s an idea: why not do holographic concert experiences with laser light shows? Maybe some smaller concert attractions? Think Imagine Dragons, Doja Cat, Green Day, or even legacy bands like Journey. It’s working on Fremont…
Your Turn
What’s the last show that blew you away in Vegas? Hit me on X @VegasUncomped, where the hot takes fly and the marquees get their flowers.
-Jason
Follow Vegas Uncomped on X • Instagram • TikTok • YouTube • Threads • Facebook for Vegas Hacks, Stories & More.
© 2025 Vegas Uncomped