Las Vegas Weekly

October 24, 2009 · 8:30 AM

Photo Galleries: Stars, tycoons, ex-president at U2, Black Eyed Peas

By Robin Leach

U2 performs at Sam Boyd Silver Bowl Stadium in Las Vegas on Oct. 23, 2009.

Photo: Erik Kabik/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Everybody from former President Bill Clinton, with daughter Chelsea Clinton, to Paris Hilton treating boyfriend Doug Reinhardt to a birthday gift, arrived last night with 40,000 fans for the U2 concert with the Black Eyed Peas as the opening show for their 360 Degree Tour.

On and near the Strip, it seemed as if tourists, locals, politicians, entertainers and hotel tycoons had abandoned restaurants and lounges in favor of the traffic-snarled trek out to Sam Boyd Stadium. The smart ones booked stretch limos to make the wait through the road jams more palatable!

Rio magic headliner Penn Jillette was spotted backstage playing guitar with The Edge before the concert started. Palms owner George Maloof was seen strolling into the stadium. Clinton was with Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid, who has announced his run for governor of Nevada. Stars, politicians and fans alike were in awe of the “preying mantis” metal structure that dominated the concert stage and provided yet another platform for Bono and The Edge to thrill frenzied fans.

Our Senior Editor John Katsilometes was out at Sam Boyd from the start of the sound check rehearsals through to the crowds arriving and departing yesterday -- click HERE for his story. Our colleagues at the Las Vegas Sun and Las Vegas Weekly also covered the concert and will be filing their stories and photos throughout the weekend. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik and our friends at the Las Vegas News Bureau provided the incredible photo coverage.

After the stunning show, members of the Black Eyed Peas celebrated with an after-party at the Bank in the Bellagio, and Will.I.Am even found time to race across to Rain in the Palms to perform a DJ set behind the wheels of steel for his pal DJ Z-Trip, the new resident there. Erik miraculously managed to race back from the stadium for the arrivals at the Bank.

Click HERE for coverage from our Editor Don Chareunsy of the other big concert of the night: Tim McGraw in the open-air palazzo at The M Resort.

And watch video from the U2 concert from loyal Vegas DeLuxe reader Richard Corey posted on YouTube:

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

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