Brock Radke

Managing Editor

Concert: Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, February 11 at Allegiant Stadium

No, I did not witness this event in person, but you didn’t need to be in the stands at Allegiant to recognize that all-around elite entertainer Usher, on the heels of his groundbreaking R&B residency shows at Caesars Palace and Park MGM, was the perfect choice to spice up the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas. In sports bars and living rooms across the country, a large population of women (and men) who don’t normally watch the big game—and may have tuned in mainly to catch a glimpse of Taylor Swift—screamed like adolescents when Usher took off both his shirts during “U Got It Bad.” When’s the last time the halftime show elicited that response?

Song: “Die With a Smile” by Bruno Mars & Lady Gaga

We refuse to believe this perfectly calibrated, Grammy-nominated pop anthem with rocket-powered harmonies was not born out of the fact that both Bruno and Gaga have been Dolby Live resident headliners for years. And we keep rewatching the YouTube video of the duo’s unannounced August performance of the song at their Strip home, both to reinforce the Vegasness of “Die With a Smile” and because we’re working on it for karaoke.

Sports event: A’ja Wilson’s MVP

The Las Vegas Aces may have fallen short of an historic three-peat this year, but nothing could take away from Wilson’s once-in-a-lifetime season that saw the superstar break all kinds of statistical records and win an Olympic gold medal. Grabbing the WNBA MVP award that should have been hers last season was the icing on the cake.

Shannon Miller

Editor

Strip show: Lady Gaga: Jazz & Piano

One of the highlights of my year was watching Lady Gaga sing “Fly Me to the Moon” sans mic. Her voice filled the 6,400-seat Dolby Live theater, captivating each and every one of us. What also made that show so special was that it was the last scheduled installment of the pop star’s Jazz & Piano show after it had been running for five years. Shortly after the finale, rumors spread that Gaga might move into the Sphere next time. One way or another, let’s hope she gambles on Vegas again.

Concert: Missy Elliott, July 13 at T-Mobile Arena

Missy Elliott’s first (you heard it—FIRST) headlining tour, Out of This World, hit the Strip this year and although we kind of knew what to expect from the hip-hop legend, nothing could have prepared us for what we witnessed. Openers Timbaland, Busta Rhymes and Ciara would have been enough on their own, but when Misdemeanor took the stage, she transported fans to the far reaches of her galaxy. From “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” to “Lose Control,” we got to live out the music and choreography in Missy’s universe, if only for one night.

Concert: Sleater-Kinney, February 29 at Brooklyn Bowl

As Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, better known as Sleater-Kinney, were cutting their album Little Rope, Brownstein’s mother and stepfather died in a car crash. “There’s a lot of themes of loss and of being older, and feelings of failure. …Weekly before the band’s Brooklyn Bowl show. While anyone else might have folded under the weight of such a tragedy, Sleater-Kinney followed up the album with a raw and electric live performance. I’m still swooning over Brownstein’s guitar solo during “Jumpers.”But we approached it with a sense of playfulness … using melody and humor in the album to make it not just dark, but also light,” Tucker told the

Theater production: Cluelesque

In the board game Clue, players shed clues as to who the killer is. And in burlesque, dancers shed clothes. Combine the two, and what do you get? A naughty murder-mystery striptease where the performers were just as in the dark as the audience when it comes to the identity of the murderer. Cluelesque creator Simone Skold wrote different endings for different performances. After launching in January, the production returned in May, and we’re hoping Vegas Theatre Company resurrects it again.

Cocktail: Espresso Martini at Las Vegas Distillery

The drinks at Las Vegas Distillery are stiff, and the competition for which one you should drink is stiffer. But in our estimation, the espresso martini rises to the top. The star of the show, the coffee liqueur, is crafted from LVD’s white rum and features anaerobic-processed coffee beans roasted and cold-brewed by Henderson’s Dark Moon Coffee Roasters. It’s enhanced with Belizean cacao, Mexican vanilla and unrefined Louisiana cane sugar—but not too much. Throw in some LVD vodka and espresso, and you have a perfectly balanced after-dinner drink.

Neighborhood restaurant: Shanghai Taste Southwest

Chef Jimmy Li has earned the respect of the local community and the James Beard Awards, which nominated him as a semifinalist in 2023 and 2024. His restaurant Shanghai Taste, originally opened in 2019 in the bustling Shanghai Plaza, is a hot spot for Chinese customers, locals and tourists—so hot that it outgrew its kitchen and needed a second location. That’s where Shanghai Taste Southwest came in, another neighborhood spot to enjoy the traditional flavors Las Vegas has come to love—and more square footage in which to relax and enjoy Li’s famous xiao long bao steamed dumplings.

Amber Sampson

Staff Writer

Concert: Julia Jacklin, April 18 at the Beverly Theater

I knew I loved this Aussie from the moment she took the stage—and forgot her guitar. We were treated to a private and personable evening with Julia Jacklin, who could’ve launched a mini residency anywhere. The fact that she picked a spot as locally loved as the Bev—and with opening act Shamir—speaks to her dedication of doing Vegas right. The night felt every bit like a fireside chat with Jacklin, who, between songs, shared anecdotes from her trips to Vegas. Towards the end, she invited fans out of their seats for her final songs. And we’d gladly welcome her back.

Concert: Nas with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, August 29 at Encore Theater

The live symphony honored every syllable of this masterful performance of Illmatic, magnifying Nas’ memoir of the projects with woodwinds and whisking violins. Meanwhile, the rapper muscled through his tongue-twisting catalog with stamina only a legend of his magnitude could muster.

Album: The Life I Stole by Lennon Roach

This Southern rocker blew in from Alabama a few years ago, fitting in almost instantly with the local music scene. Roach, who dedicated 20 years of his life to the military, vowed to create an album chronicling that experience and its struggles. The Life I Stole is the pinnacle of that. Recorded at the beloved Sonic Rodeo, it serves as a swan song of Roach’s former life, twanging with sharp licks and his distinctive vocal power.

Strip show: Colin Cloud: Mastermind

Living up to his reputation as the “closest thing to a real-life Sherlock Holmes,” Colin Cloud casually blew a few dozen minds at his debut Strip show at Harrah’s. The master mentalist is a keen room reader, able to decipher body language and unlock the very mysteries of your mind if given the opportunity.

Nightlife event: The opening of Bruno Mars’ Pinky Ring at Bellagio

I can’t be the only one who experienced a little “24K Magic” at Mars’ new cocktail lounge. Pinky Ring’s no cellphone policy gave me a taste of what Las Vegas lounges used to be like. It’s amazing what can happen when a roomful of people aren’t concerned with trying to film the perfect reel. We drank, we danced, we talked, and Mars’ touring band, the Hooligans, also made living in the moment quite easy.

Nightlife event: The opening of Las Vegas’ first non-tribal cannabis lounges

Now that the smoke has cleared, I can confidently say adding Thrive’s Smoke & Mirrors and Planet 13’s Dazed to our rotation has been wonderful. As younger generations drink less and smoke more, these lounges have opened new avenues of nightlife. Mixologists have gotten more creative with THC-infused mocktails and different forms of live entertainment have found new homes—and we’ve got high hopes for the future.

Strip show: Belle De Nuit

New York’s Studio 54 experienced a glorious rebirth with this glittering production at Venetian. Belle De Nuit checked all the boxes of cinematic, disco-dotted fashion burlesque as dancers pranced the catwalk of Voltaire in couture that would make Grace Jones gasp.

Cultural event: The Killers residency

The Killers have been on the run for some time, playing sold-out arena tours around the world. But this August, our hometown heroes finally came home to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The Killers locked in their legacy with this one.

Neighborhood restaurant: Summer House

From the moment you walk in, Summer House places you on an extended vacation. The room itself gorgeously amplifies that feeling with natural beams of sunlight and its coastal California cuisine drives it home.

Dish: Fat Banh Mi-Ki at Fat Sal’s

Fat Sal’s magnum opus of sandos is as complex as they come. A spin on a traditional banh-mi, the Fat Banh Mi-Ki packs on Szechuan slaw, Vietnamese pickled veggies and thinly sliced ribeye, with the added bonus of mozzarella sticks. It’s spicy, it’s tangy, it’s extra. Most of all, it’s addictive.

Geoff Carter

Senior Editor

Concert: Jungle and LCD Soundsystem, September 27-28 at Life Is Beautiful’s Big Beautiful Block Party

The Block Party was a hot ticket—literally; the Plaza’s outdoor events center was broiling. But that didn’t stop these two superpowered dance bands, playing back-to-back, from igniting a disco inferno. We danced until we got lightheaded, caught a breath and resumed.

Concert: Hans Zimmer, September 29 at Resorts World Theatre

The Oscar-winning composer of The Lion King, Dune, Inception and more performed his matchless film music with the help of a group of virtuoso musicians the size of a small town. We were pinned to our seats by the spectacular sight of their sound.

Nightlife event: London Elektricity at Discopussy

Rat-a-tat-a-tat-a-tat. Foundational drum-and-bass talent Tony Colman paid a rare visit to Vegas, and Discopussy was the perfect spot for his lightning-speed soul music. If I didn’t picture lasers and a glowing octopus when I listened to London Elektricity before, I sure do now.

Art exhibit: Poets and Saints Maybe by Shan Michael Evans

Shan’s crisp, colorful graphic style, usually seen at mural size, translated beautifully to tiny wooden blocks. I bought a few of them, which I intend to use to begin building a more vivid, more caring world.

Art exhibit: Contemporary Ex-votos: Devotion Beyond Medium

This show of devotional art was sugar for the eyes and music for the soul. Put another way: When artworks by Justin Favela, Dan45 Hernandez, Daisy Quezada Ureña, Krystal Ramirez, Xochi Solis and more are hanging in the same room, be in that room.

Strip show: DiscoShow

Spiegelworld’s newest production takes the entire disco era—the good times, the dancing queens, the everlasting night fever—and packs it into a high-tech box that bursts with energetic performance and visual dazzle. And the NYC-inspired diner next door ain’t half-bad, either.

Downtown show: Miss Behave’s Mavericks

Amy Saunders’ “flirty, filthy and fabulous” variety show moved from Cheapshot to the Plaza’s vintage Vegas showroom and immediately became this town’s absolute must-see … again. And there’s killer discounts for locals, so you’ve no good excuse not to see it. Go tonight.

Cultural event: The destruction of the Mirage volcano

In our hearts, the volcano is still there, still spewing tall flames and coconut scent on the hour. It was … no, no, we’re still not ready to talk about it. This one cut deep.

Cultural event: John Waters at the Las Vegas Book Festival

Ostensibly, the director of Pink Flamingos and Hairspray came to Vegas to chat up his novel Liarmouth, but he mostly talked about smut, obscenity and self-indulgence—and how much we need them, especially now. It was glorious.

Neighborhood restaurant: Amari Italian Kitchen & Wine Shop

Went there for the fresh-baked focaccia, pan-seared branzino and crispy eggplant pizza, but stayed for the amaro. Might actually move in just to be close to that wall of Italian liqueur.

Neighborhood restaurant: The new location of Esther’s Kitchen

The packed Arts District favorite moved into a larger space while keeping its intimacy and charm ... and, most importantly, that overachieving kitchen and bar.

Cocktail: Higher Ground at Smoke & Mirrors

This green tea elixir—Sobreo matcha, agave nectar, green tea, jasmine lemon wedges, rosemary sprigs and ginger beer—is splendid even without a 2.5 to 5 milligram cannabis infusion, and more so with it.

Corlene Byrd

Art Director

Cultural event: The Super Bowl takeover

We’ve seen big statues before and we’ve seen footballs before. Why was this so exciting? Colorful signs sprawling across the pedestrian bridges, the Bellagio fountain transforming into the CBS Sports broadcast stage, and the sides of the Strat and Caesars Palace lit up with projection-mapped motion imagery ... I mean, really, they could be showing movies on those things every day. What’s stopping us? Get some popcorn and food trucks, and let’s do this more often.

Concert: Tears for Fears, October 30 at BleauLive Theater

I can’t be the only one that feels a specific sense of comfort and relief when the legends keep legending. The visuals were like eye candy coming out of a giant eyeball pouring straight into this mad world. With their latest albums Songs For a Nervous Planet and The Tipping Point, Tears for Fears not only still hit the right nerve with gorgeous memorable hooks, but it’s confirmed—I’m still head over heels for these guys and I will continue to sow the seeds of my love for them. Take that, bucket list.

Cultural event: Goodbye to Mirage & Tropicana

We lost two paradises this year, the only time we can really say it plural. Did we really need to get rid of the Mirage landscape? Was that necessary? How did the repurpose and recycle craze not apply here? Did anyone even start a petition? I realize we have several hotels and resorts that are giving Brady Bunch Hawaiian vacation, but Mirage really felt like a paradise oracle, and we really shouldn’t be messing with oracles. It could be bad luck. Tropicana was a bit more Gilligan’s Island-core, so as much as I’ll miss it, I have faith that the skippers, millionaires, movie stars and professors will resurface.

Gabriela Rodriguez

Staff Writer

Song: “Pain Elemental” by Khasm

“Pain Elemental” is a savage, gut-punching anthem from Khasm’s Theater of War—a blistering mix of sludge, hardcore and spiteful energy that proves why this local band’s unrelenting grind has earned its fandom.

Concert: Los Bukis, May 8 at Dolby Live

Los Bukis’ residency felt like a personal revelation. The first all Spanish-speaking residency on the Strip resonated deep in my bones and connected generations of families in the crowd. Watching these legends perform the songs that shaped my childhood cracked me open and left my mom teary eyed. It was decades of history playing out in real time.

Band: Post NC

Post NC has had a breakout year, from dropping a killer EP to touring everywhere—Japan, San Antonio, Chicago and beyond. They’ve really locked in as a serious band no matter how meme-forward their social media suggests. They continue to blend improv jazz, math rock and lo-fi chaos into their signature “nut-core” sound. From the first time I saw them at Huntridge Tavern last year to their Swan Dive gig last month, I’ve always left their sets mindblown.

Concert: Best Friends Forever Fest, October 11-13 at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center

At Best Friends Forever, a very specific ear was treated to a time capsule. The lineup, a blend of mid-’90s emo royalty—Cap’n Jazz, Sunny Day Real Estate, Braid—brought back the angst-filled adolescent despair we all thought was lost. Unwound and The Blood Brothers ruled the main stage while fresh-faced bands like Pool Kids and Sweet Pill proved the genre’s heartbeat hasn’t died.

Album: Niteswimmer by Qnc Dayz

Qnc Dayz rolls deep with Alchemist-esque samples, layering rich dusty beats under his smooth, soulful flow. This six-track jammer feels like digging through crates and finding a treasure chest of laid-back wisdom and raw, timeless funk—a refreshing escape.

Nightlife event: 2x4 Vinyl Nights at Hard Hat Lounge

Burgers, beers, records. What more does one need to fulfill a Friday night outing? Started by record lovers Dalton Campbell and Christian Torres, 2x4 Vinyl Nights held every First Friday features a rotating lineup of local DJs spinning deep cuts on four decks, all homie-curated. It’s the perfect mix of music, drinks and community.

Nightlife event: GrapHouse Wrestling

GrapHouse is no-holds-barred, pure, unfiltered mayhem. Fans crowd ringside, dodging flying props, shouting praise for their favorite sweaty wrestler and stepping out of the way as the talent brings the match outside of the ring. It’s glorious, gritty, unpredictable fun.

Cultural event: Substance opens in Downtown Las Vegas

Neonopolis is a smorgasbord of nightlife destinations but Substance takes the cake as this year’s premier spot for RVLTN’s electro gigs and Altura’s Latin night parties. If you’re looking for a new place to hang and dance Downtown, go here.

Theater production: Abandon

This was my first introduction to local theater and just, wow. The kinky horror production from Vegas Theatre Company tells the tales of the Marquis de Sade through quick vignettes, and even with a lack of dialogue, the performance fully shook me to my core with a display of psychological terror and bloody acts.

Dish: Fish and chips at the Codfather

If you’re craving golden, crispy goodness, look no further than the Codfather. What began as a hole-in-the-wall chippy expanded to a larger eatery this year, but the quality of the fish and chips remains as stellar and fresh as ever.

Theater production: Back to the Future: The Musical

The Back to the Future musical at Reynolds Hall was a time-traveling treat for anyone who grew up with the iconic film. With catchy songs, a visually stunning stage setup and spot-on character quirks, this adaptation delivered a heavy dose of nostalgia.

Cultural event: 20th annual Dam Short Film Fest

Boulder City’s Dam Short Film Fest continues to be a designated cultural hub for cinephiles and casual movie watchers. The thematic program showed nearly 150 short films with genres ranging from horror to comedy to documentary, and even after all that, we still wanted more.

Dish: Meatballs at Esther’s Kitchen

These standout, succulent beef and pork meatballs are laid on a bed of basil ricotta and served with two pieces of charred house-made sourdough. Simple perfection.

Ian Racoma

Senior Designer

Art Exhibit: Scripted Spaces by Eri King

Eri King introduced me to the concept of endurance art, an act in which the artist spends hundreds of hours on methodical work. In Scripted Spaces at ASAP Gallery, King painstakingly paints dizzying patterns inspired by casino carpets, playing cards flowing in unison (as if you had just beaten solitaire on Windows 95) and Roman architecture and statues. The limited palette between the works unifies the pieces, yet the puzzling patterns disorient the viewer and cause us to wander aimlessly in the gallery—the same optical manipulation casinos use to keep guests on property. King demonstrates a deeper visual understanding of Las Vegas and has made work that elevates the mostly overlooked, ignored and stepped on, yet subconsciously persistent, element in the casinos of this city.

Cultural Event: 100% totality solar eclipse

The term “eclipse chaser” refers to the idea that a person becomes so enamored, so awe-struck after viewing an eclipse the first time, they will do everything in their power to see it again. This year’s eclipse—which crossed from Mazatlán on April 8 through Austin and Dallas, Texas, ending a little past Burlington, Vermont—will be the last one to conveniently hit Central or North America for at least 20 years. With a small group of friends, I started planning a year and a half in advance to see it. We spent months deliberating on a location that would give us the best chance to see it without clouds blocking the view. We decided on Mexico, because even if there were clouds, at least we would be on the beach.

The feelings of insignificance and nothingness wash over you when you see this cosmic event; you really see your place in the universe. Yet it is not hopelessness that you succumb to, rather feelings of gratitude that you have been blessed to be born on this planet and surrounded by people that feel you are important enough to share this experience with. Immediately after it was over, a first timer in our group shouted “Let’s go to the next one!” and a new eclipse chaser was born.

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