State of the Las Vegas Headliner

I stumbled across this analysis of Las Vegas headliners in the wake of Celine and Elton. It includes some interesting information about the capacity required for showrooms to break even and discusses declining ticket prices.

With Las Vegas visitors less willing or able to throw around wads of cash for umm… “veteran” acts, entertainment strategies may very well change over the next couple years. If the Hard Rock fails to fill The Joint for Santana’s residency and Caesars’ deals with Bette Midler and Cher don’t live up to expectations, we could see a shift away from these long-term showroom stints.

How will The Strip adapt? Wynncore’s four-show booking of Beyonce could be the beginning of a new trend—current touring arena acts playing a short stretch of shows in a small, intimate setting. Time will tell.

Five Hundy by Midnight 210: Everyone Wants to Get Rid of Cher

Las Vegas podcast #210 includes:

  • What’s With That House opener
  • Tropicana closes Paradise Tower
  • CityCenter fixes take a long time
  • Cosmopolitan drops Denizen name
  • Fountainbleau runs into money problems
  • Cher remains at Caesars
  • Listener calls about Casino Royale, Encore, Sahara, The Joint, Gold Spike, Stratosphere, MGM Grand, Nobu and more
  • Call us at (702) 866-9494


Five Hundy By Midnight 4/26/09 (56:32 min, 51.9 MB)

Five Hundy by Midnight 209: Doing It Live (Part II)

Las Vegas podcast #209 includes:

  • Beverly Hills 90210 opener
  • Alcohol-fueled banter about Las Vegas and listener calls about Atlantic City, Harrah’s, Big Elvis, Mirage volcano, Imperial Palace, Price is Right at Bally’s, Snackus Maximus, Santana vs. Cheap Trick, Fremont Street entertainment, Golden Gate, Hard Rock Hotel, Star Trek slot machines, Gold Spike, The Pearl at Palms and more
  • Las Vegas is Waiting by Kevin Bowe
  • Call us at (702) 866-9494


Five Hundy By Midnight 4/22/09 (65:22 min, 60 MB)

Five Hundy by Midnight 208: Doing It Live (Part I)

Las Vegas podcast #208 includes:

  • Important Things opener
  • Rehab Web site
  • Vegas Podcast-a-Palooza 2
  • Dubai and MGM make up
  • Star Trek Experience opening delayed
  • Bobby Slayton moves to Tropicana
  • Encore books headliners
  • Serendipity 3 opens at Caesars
  • Listener calls about poker, Flamingo, Encore, Sin City Bad Girls at LV Hilton, Imperial Palace love tubs and more
  • Call us at (702) 866-9494


Five Hundy By Midnight 4/18/09 (59:51 min, 55 MB)

Saturday Night Special: Five Hundy Live

This Saturday at 8 p.m. EDT, we’re going to record the next show or two. By popular demand, we’ll be streaming audio and doing our best to avoid distraction by any of you wackjobs in the chat room. Stock up on your favorite adult beverages and come back here on Saturday evening to be part of the fun.