When the lawmakers of Nevada legalized gambling in the hopes of staving off bankruptcy, nobody could have predicted that, less that one hundred years later, Las Vegas would have become the famously infamous city we know and love today. The subject of hit songs and Hollywood movies, Las Vegas has an international reputation for the high-quality entertainment on offer.
Online gambling has proved a popular pastime, with many casino fans choosing to play from the comfort of their own homes, or even when they are out and about. Savvy players can get reviews, advice and bonuses from Casinos.com for US casino websites, this stands them in good stead before rubbing shoulders with experienced gamblers in Vegas and the practice can help to calm the nerves.
One thing that online casinos cannot replicate is the sheer volume of alternative entertainment around in Las Vegas. As well as the extraordinary collection of landmarks, ridiculously fast roller coasters, and sumptuously adorned hotels, the casinos of Vegas have hosted some of the most monumental talent the world has ever seen.
From the pop royalty to country superstars, and everything in between, performers all over the world aspire to a residency in Las Vegas, and they would be in good company, alongside:
Kylie Minogue
Queen of the earworm, Kylie has been wowing audiences the world over for decades, and Vegas has recently welcomed her with open arms and a residency in one of the city's best-loved casinos, the Venetian. The Grammy nominated star’s show has been hotly anticipated by fans and critics alike, and Kylie's known for her exceptionally high standards, so it was all to play for when her shows were announced.
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While she may be famous for selling out arenas wherever she goes, this experience is going to be much more intimate. The show is called Voltaire, and the shows sold out in minutes, despite four-figure ticket-prices for the best seats in the house.
The set lasts seventy-five minutes and comprises some of the most popular hits of her career. With five decades' worth of hits to choose from, it's certainly a journey for fans of her work, but the music is just one part of the spectacle that is more interactive than any of her previous shows.
Music, dance, acrobatics, gymnastics and exceptional choreography are all complemented by exquisite costumes, a specially built showroom, and a performance designed to bring down the house every night.
Elvis Presley
From a pop prince to the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley's legendary run of 636 consecutive shows was one of the most impressive residencies of its time, played at the International Hotel, which was later taken over by Hilton. His choice of Vegas for his comeback was a testament to his affection for the city where he regularly performed sold-out shows to crowds of adoring fans.
The King played a huge part in the way that Las Vegas was viewed, putting the city on the map as an entertainment capital and a place where musicians could find an enthusiastic audience. After performing two shows a night, seven days a week, Elvis Presley is closely associated with Las Vegas in a way that defined the latter part of his career.
Celine Dion
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace was the venue that hosted Celine Dion's first residency. The series of shows was originally set to last for three years, but it was such an instant hit that a further two years' worth of dates were added. The show was called A New Day… and Dion performed to more than three million people over the course of the run.
As the most successful residency of all time, the sheer scale of the production is min-blowing in its enormity. The budget for the stage backdrop had to be increased by $10 million so that the largest indoor LED screen in North America could be installed at the rear of the stage.
Such was Celine Dion's success that she went on to have several more hugely successful residencies in Las Vegas, selling millions of tickets and performing more than one thousand shows. She has a full orchestra and a band, and has, at times, incorporated the performers from another Vegas institution, the Cirque du Soleil.
Other international superstars that have had residencies in Las Vegas
- Elton John
- Britney Spears
- Billy Joel
- Jennifer Lopez
- Bruce Springsteen
- Carrie Underwood
- Lady Gaga
- Adele
- Shania Twain
Las Vegas is one of the best-known destinations for casino fans, but there is so much else to do there that it is also an incredible destination for those that appreciate world-class musical performances and the spectacular stage shows that accompany them. If there's one thing that Vegas does best, it's showing visitors a good time and if that means dancing the night away to one of the top performers in the world, then you're spoiled for choice.
