Drove from Los Angeles to see The Alabama Shakes play here, (I didn't like the Venues they were set to play in LA so I made it my excuse to see them in Vegas and get a mini trip out of it). I really liked this venue. It was small enough to enjoy from just about every seat or the pit. They didn't over crowd the pit area so you didn't feel like you could move or breath, there was just enough room and I even got up to the blockade in the front so I was super close to the band. Â The sound was great, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the security people couldn't be nicer, I am not a fan of jerky security guards that think they are god because they are security. And best of all they even had cocktail waitresses coming by though the whole show brining your drinks so you wouldn't have to miss any part of the show. Though I opted to go wait at the bar line during the second opening band cause they weren't my cup of tea. Â Drink prices are on the average as compared to any other concert venue. Â If there is someone I would like to see playing here, I can see coming back to Vegas to see them.
The next night Sarah Silverman was having a comedy show here, I could see enjoying a comedy at the Pearl Theater, it would be a good venue for that as well.
I attended a conference there and the venue is small enough that all seats are great. Â However, I'm very short and sitting in the seats were very uncomfortable for me! Â But my friend who is 6'2 and probably 220 almost got stuck in his seat. Â He was so uncomfortable. Â We all switched to chairs that were in the back with still a decent view because it gave you more room. Â Just know you will be packed in like sardines. Â But the sound and venue itself could be great for a concert.
Review Source:I haven't been to the Pearl before so I don't know what to expect and was hoping it was a good venue.
Came to see How To Destroy Angels and the acoustics were great. There's speakers all over the theater and if you program sound delays and balanced it right it could sound like 5.1 surround quality and they were able to achieve that for this show.
It's a good sized venue, but not huge so even if you're way in the back you can still get a quality show and not be in a nosebleed. There's general admission then seating balcony, mezzanine and they also have box seats. We decided to go with seating because we too tired and creaky for that standing business. Now, the BF and I aren't huge people, but those seat arm rests are small because our arms were on top of each other. The chair size is standard but since there is no gap between then it feels a bit cozy.
BTW, if you want to skip the ticketmaster fees, just buy the tickets at the venues box office like we did.
I didn't get from the concession stand but standard sodas, water and alcohol was available and also cocktail waitresses will be walking around during the show as well. Bring cash as I was told they were cash only, but I didn't buy a beverage to confirm it. They didn't check my purse, I had bottled water with me.
Overall, this is a good music venue so if you like someone playing here I would say go!
How To Destroy Angels? That was the question of the evening.
Hands down, this is THE best place to see a concert in Las Vegas, period. The venue size is perfect (max's out at 2,500 people) and the acoustics are great. Â Not a bad seat in the house. I've seen several shows here over the years including The Cure, NIN, Eddie Vedder, A Perfect Circle, TOOL and Lady Gaga (ok just kidding about the Gaga) and last night How To Destroy Angels and upcoming will be Depeche Mode. Â The event staff are always nice, even those pesky ushers who try to keep you in your seat. Â I'm usually on the floor for every show but even one time when I was on the seated level I wanted to move for a better view...no problemo and they even let me down to the floor anyway.
I don't know what else to say...if you like concerts and a band you are into is playing here, GO! Â This venue beats anywhere in town. Â Drinks are about half of the price of HOB as well. Beer was 8 bucks, and I usually pay 12-14 at HOB.
This is a pretty nice looking venue but I found the seats to be very uncomfortable. They were not well padded and don't give you much elbow room. If you are a larger person such as the hubby and myself, you'll have a hard time squeezing your backside in between the armrests. At least the aisles were wide enough that people could get to their seats without stepping on everyones toes and the cocktail servers could get around to serve drinks. Not sure if they offer that for concerts but they did at the comedy show we went to.
The top tier was closed when we went so we were in the furthest back section (but still center) and yet the view was great. They also have a couple of huge screens in case you really want to see a close up of the performer.
The GF and I went to Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert at their Good vs. Evil show. Â Dropped a ton of cash for seats located on the floor.
My first thought was COOL! Â We have seats close to the stage but then I though about previous experiences in other venues on the floor minus the mosh pit; I remembered it might be an uncomfortable experience.
But I digress...Upon our arrival there was but a small line to enter Pearl. Â With our Stub Hub tix scanned, we made the move inside. Â Then it was straight off to the bar, but not for cocktails (expensive & small), Â just some H20 for the both of us.
If your are seated on the same level as the first bar you see, then you are in for a wait. Â But if your on a different level head to that bar and you will be served a whole lot quicker.
Once we made it down to the floor, I spied the"Iron Maiden" of folding chairs in front of me. Â DAMN. Â Row M, seats 5 & 6 and CRAMMED between, 7 & 4. Â Human flesh (GF excluded) spilling out and touching me as my legs feel asleep..Blah!
I reckon the next visit, I would "downgrade" seats and sit higher, perhaps being more comfortable as there were huge TV screens showing the action on stage and forgo anything on the ground floor with the exception of a chance to slam another body in a mosh pit (kidding) or a visit to a less busy bar.
We saw Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert here on 2-9-13 :D
Awesome show!
Now about the venue!
This venue is really cool! I did not know what to expect but it was very nice!
We sat in section 103 on the floor and I found the fold up chairs not too bad! They actually had padding on them. If you are a larger/wider person you will spill into the person next to you chair...like the man sitting next to me did...
Anyway...beverages of all kinds are at the concessions area. Prices are from about $9-15 and it was CASH ONLY. They were very nice and I tipped them well.
They might set it up different for each show, not sure.
Potty break was in need and it was clean. They also had a towel girl there which added a nice touch. I tipped her also.
We were close to the stage but I love the two huge side screens :) really gave a nice up close view :)
So all in all the venue is very nice!
Just make sure you take cash...just in case :)
Despite the rave review from my friend, I was still surprised at how great of a concert venue The Pearl at The Palm is. They converted a spacious IMAX theater into an intimate concert venue with great acoustics and seating. It's one of those intimate, mid-sized venues that brings the audience closer to the music and artist. And the balcony seating is a nice touch. I had a chance to see my favorite ban from college - Ben Folds 5 - there a week or so back and it was one of the best concerts I have been to. We were sitting dead center, but rather far up in the venue, and the acoustic were amazing. We could hear everything clearly, and see everything because of the theater-style seating and excellent large video screens on each side of the stage.
They get a great mix of artists here, and my friend says every show he has seen here has been outstanding. This is such a great venue that every time I hit Vegas, I plan to check out what's playing here. If it's someone I like, I am going to go, because the venue is that good.
Bottom line: Best concert venue in Vegas.
I have seen, off the top of my head, 30 Seconds to Mars [NYE show], 30 Seconds to Mars/Neon Trees, LCD Soundsystem/Sleigh Bells, Lisa Lampanelli, Morrissey, Nick Cannon, Norah Jones/Corinne Bailey Rae, Smashing Pumpkins, Snow Patrol/Hot Hot Heat, Â System of a Down/Gogol Bordello, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs/No Age, along with non-concert events like Strikeforce and Championship Boxing, among others, and every set had incredible sound quality (with the exception of Neon Trees set because their sound engineer must have been high or uncaring, and Sleigh Bells was so loud that it made 95% of the concert-goers deaf [other 5% had hearing protection]).
Obviously, I have seen shows from all different vantage-points (GA from barrier, GA from left, GA from right, seated on FLOOR, seated in MEZZ, seated in "casino-level", seated in box) and the lines of sights at this hall are stupendous.
Really, the only CON I can think of, is that Palms does not permit queuing for shows. I suppose they do this for "safety", and yet it makes it so uniquely dangerous when some fanatics like the Jared Leto followers all rush  the doors once it is time for door to open. Solution to this is to not to queue for shows here, but this is not really an option for those superfans that queue to be on the barrier. For them I say: wear boots and assert yourselves. Be safe. - E
I went to see Jeff Tracta at The Pearl last Sunday. Â I've been here for several concerts but I never reviewed the place before.
I give it 3 stars because of the layout. Â If you're on the floor, you need to walk down several sets of stairs. Â Floor seats are generally the most accessible but not at the Pearl.
There are also several little offset places where there's only one way in and out which makes for a backup of people trying to leave at the end of a concert.
The sound is good, but the folding chairs are close to each other--in fact attached to each other by plastic slip ties which are de rigueur for some venues in this town. Â So, while The Pearl has some good entertainment, it's simply OK.
I was fortunate enough to spend my NYE with the extremely talented and greatest eye candy of all, John Legend. I found out he was playing at The Pearl for NYE, I informed my girlfriends and we were all in for a NYE with John Legend!!!
We decided to go all out and got 5th row middle seats...I'm pretty much broke now, but it sounded like a good idea at the time. And looking back at how much fun I had, it was worth every penny to see John Legend up close and personal!
The venue itself, fantastic! Located inside The Palms Hotel....smaller more intimate setting, and from looking around a really great view from wherever you sit. The bars outside had limited selection of liquor and beer, but the bartenders are super nice and will try to mix you up something yummy with what they have.
The acoustics were great, Johnny sounded fantastic, and I sang duets with him throughout the evening....Love that man.
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=wByqlwP3G8jJe3cPn7HmTg&userid=h4o8e_Xbca2kXQO_vzOqgg">http://www.yelp.com/user…</a>
As we walked out of the venue, there were people passing out hats, crowns, Â beads and noisemakers for NYE, we had just enough time to get to the bar to grab some drinks and have a view from our suite of the fireworks on strip. NYE + John Legend + Fireworks = HAPPINESS!!
I love this venue.
I could probably stop there, but to make this a legit review I guess I should elaborate. Â Before I became a busy, broke grad student, I used to spend the majority of my free time going to shows. Â If any bands I liked were in town, you could count me in. I was there present in the crowd. Â This has lead me to experience live shows at the old Joint, the new Joint, House of Blues, (then) Jillians, the (short-lived) Alley, the Cosmopolitan Pool, MGM Garden Arena and the Mandalay Bay arena.
In my opinion, the Pearl is THE BEST place to experience your favorite music artist. Â The acoustics are the best. Everyone sounds so nice, so clear. I've stood/sat throughout most of the sections, so I can say that there is no "bad" seat in the place. The way they designed it also makes you feel like you are in a small intimate venue, yet it has the ability to hold a crap load of people. Â I like how there are sections right off the floor area that allow you to sit, yet you are still as close to the stage as those holding floor tickets. *I do warn you though, if you are sitting in the first few rows of those sections, and it is a standing room floor, your view can and may be blocked by standers.* There's also plenty of restrooms, bars, and even cocktail waitresses that will serve you drinks at your seat.
I can only hope that future venues look to the Pearl as a blueprint. I've already been disappointed to hear that the newest Vegas venue, the Chelsea Ballroom, is just that...a ballroom.
I like to call this one "short and sweet"
Best acoustics of any vegas venue imo.
Small and intimate. You don't have to worry about being able to "see" the performer. Any seat is a great seat.
No need to find parking across the street or next door to avoid  "after show parking garage traffic." It is significantly faster to get out of here than any other place (i.e. mgm grand, hard rock's the joint).
If you're a fan of anyone performing here I'd so don't pass this place up.
Saw K.D. Lang here a few months back. Â Very easy to review the venue. Â Too much cement in the interiors, big but not too big theater ensuring great seats for all, and top notch venue sound.
The only drawback and this is a BIG DRAWBACK: Â the night we attended quality folding seats were installed where I guess a dance floor typically is. Â These folding seats had proper cushioning and we plenty comfortable to sit in, but --
-- the seats were WAY TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. Â Like LAWSUIT close. Â I paid to be in the eight row (Yay!) but person to my left and to my right were thigh to thigh, shoulder to shoulder, and none of us were fat. Â People in these rows soon figured out that if you but your arm around your significant other this allowed enough room to not be touching the shoulders of strangers.
This isn't about cooties, lol. Â When you're seated that close you can't applaud the artist without hitting the people next to you. Â I'm not kidding. Â It's THAT close.
Had Lang not been so riveting I'd have demanded a partial refund from the box office.
It's def not the MGM Grand Arena but, sometimes you need that intimate feel of being closer to the SuperStar.
Friend got free tickets to the Lupe Fiasco show and despite my tiredness and fatigue from just getting back from Costa Rica, my friend cajoled me into going.
The floor was stand alone, no seating; otherwise the seated tickets were behind those standing. Kind of like how Adele's show was.
But, this was on a much much intimate level and with less ppl than the Adele crowd. Which I am so thankful for because I wouldn't have wanted to stand in a crowded crowd.
Acoustics were great. Seemed like I could've gotten closer to stage but, I like to see everything in a concert and because I'm tiny, my best view would be from a far.
I'd love to see more shows here. If more hip hop can come to Vegas then, I'd love to see them here!
The PROS: Â Excellent Sound - All great seats - Easy to get to from the casino area. Â Thoroughly enjoyed the k.d. lang concert ....possibly the best show I've ever been to!!!
The CONS: Â Do NOT buy drinks here. Â They "pour" the drink from a gun that shoots out exactly one oz of alcohol ....then they charge you like you just ordered a bottle of effing Cristal. Â ....I made the mistake of ordering a long island tea, which tasted like pure bar mix (everyone agreed) that I had to return as the show started. Â My gf got a simple vodka/diet & we basically had to take out a loan to pay our bill. Â Stupid...ridiculous....over-the-top maddening.
Bring your own bottle into the venue and order a soda as a mixer - save yourself $50 for 2 rounds of awful weak drinks in tiny plastic cups. Â Nobody searched my purse, so feel free : )
Enjoy the show! Â Great venue!
I first experienced The Pearl when I came here to see A Perfect Circle in December of '10. It's a fantastic venue - very intimate, with great sight lines, and superlative sound.
I can only speak for the experience from the general admission area but that is how it was...I wouldn't hesitate to see another concert here again ever. It was fantastic.
I do recommend coming a little early and visiting one of the casino bars as the service inside was fairly slow.
As a side bonus you can gamble after the show...who wouldn't want that?
I've seen tons of shows here. Offspring, KISS, Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, Flogging Molly, The Cult, Phoenix; to name a few.
Pretty nice venue, not a bad seat in the house. Easy to get in and out from the casino floor.
I've experienced problems with sound quality at a few shows but I always go back for more.
Drink prices are steep.
Staff is always friendly and helpful.
Is the Pearl experiencing a Scott Weiland bump? Perhaps, but it is really hard for me to separate the amorous sensations ignited by Scott from the superb concert experience provided by The Pearl.
We had seats because I am not a fan of General Admission. True, I would be closer to the stage, but I would also have to deal with a loss of personal space and encounters with intoxicated fan freaks, not my idea of a good time. True, we remained seated for the show until the encore, which caused our "rocking out" neighbors to look over and say, "You guys are just babies. You probably don't appreciate this." Um, just because I am not throwing devil horns and convulsing doesn't mean I am not appreciating. I needed to sit down and pay attention so that I wouldn't miss a single moment of the show. I like to observe my rock.
We arrived at 7:50 and were in our seats for downbeat at 8:00pm. Incredible.
The show started on the dot at 8pm. Stupendous!
The sound was superb. The show projection was perfect, virtually instantaneous. After the show, I said to my husband, "Why don't we go to more shows?"
I was able to sit in my comfy seat with a perfect view for the entire show and rock out. Any venue that allows you to rock out while being seated comfortably has achieved greatness. The lesson here: You don't have to stand up to show that you love rock 'n' roll. Trust me.
I saw Erykah Badu here last year and have been meeting to write a review. Â Compared to other music venues I've been to, The Pearl has mostly great seats. Â Since it's built like an amphitheatre, the seats ascend leaving great views for show goers the whole way up.
The acoustics here were great for the Erykah Badu show, but I wonder if hard rock and metal shows would find it as welcoming? Â
My only complaint is that the lights above the stage are really intense, and not in a cool way. Â Everytime they flashed those bulbs, you could feel the heat on your face. Â It detracted a lot from the ambience on stage, and should have been toned down a bit.
The Pearl makes for an intimate viewing experience, and is very comfortable to spend an evening with your favorite performers. Â Tickets for entertainment in Las Vegas are way inflated compared to other cities, so ignore that, and accept The Pearl for what it is, a great music venue.
Part of me hates to say this (the part of me that loves the old, dive venues), but this may just be the perfect concert venue.
There truly is no bad seat in this place. It was built up, instead of out (if that makes any sense) - so even the the last row in the highest section isn't all that far from the stage.
But what really sets this venue apart is the sound (and let's face it, that's what concerts are all about). The sound here is perfection. Whatever they did when building this place, they did it just right. This is the best place to hear a live band.
Ok, and it's pretty nice inside too. It's no Joint (the original one), or Bowery, or 9:30 Club, or Tabernacle, but it's nice enough and the sound is the best ever.
Came here tonight to watch Norah Jones /Corinne Bailey Rae. Smaller theater but not what I would say "intimate" and we had seats right at the back...M30 was my seat number (using Door D). On paper, these seats looked awful. But to my surprise, the view was amazing. I could see everyone, the screens were at a perfect angle and there was no one blocking my view. I realized that every seat in this theater has been angled so everyone gets an optimal view.
Loved the sound system, the helpful staff (who tried to Scavenger Hunt when one of my friends thought he lost his keys), the backdrops and of course as mentioned above, the view that we got.
The things I thought might need some improvement here are the ads that come on between sets. They were catered to people who really wanted to sprint to the Playboy Club...the people at Pearl need to cater the ads they air to the crowd of the particular show. Also, we had a nincompoop usher who made us wait in a long line to get into Door C and ultimately we actually needed to be at Door D. Thanks to this genius, I missed Corrine Bailey's opening song. He will not be forgiven.
This is currently my favorite venue in Las Vegas. One star lost for above mentioned usher.
There's nothing like seeing live music in a relatively small, intimate venue like The Pearl! Â It's also pretty cool to be escorted into the pit because of whom you know (or, in my case whom my friend knows). Â
Even in the crowded pit, there's plenty of leisurely standing space a little further back. Â The lines at the bar aren't too long, although the drinks are too expensive. Â I guess you have to expect that, but still, it is Vegas!
Good times were had by all! Â I can't imagine seeing someone huge like Jay-Z here!
I was at The Pearl this last weekend to watch the UFC 115 Ultimate Fighter Finale. My boyfriend got us front row seats!!! But near the end of the fight.. I think it was Hamel and Jardine..his blood splattered all over me from the pit!!! It went all over my pink dress. HOW DISGUSTING!! And the stupid people chanting "Let's Go Hamil, Let's Go!!" How annoying. Grow up you high schoolers.
Nice venue...I'd like to see a concert there.
As a seasoned concert-goer, there is no feeling that compares to the energy, the vibe and the intimacy between the artist(s) and audience at a small venue like The Pearl. I had the pleasure of visiting this precious gem, located in the Palms Hotel, for a Mariah Carey concert back in October '09 and visited it once again to see Jay- Z's last show on his Blueprint 3 Tour.
The theater holds about 2000 and you're going to get an awesome view of the stage from wherever you may sit. I had the opportunity to sit with the sound and lights crew thus giving me a phenomenal view of the stage and the crowd. What's more, the acoustics just don't get any better than at the Pearl. Let's not even get into the Who's Who of the hip hop world who were in attendance (which really doesn't have anything to do with The Pearl itself) Â but does the name Rick Ross or rap legend Too Short mean anything to anyone...and the list goes on.
Jay Z, Trey Songz, Memphis Bleek, Bridget Kelly and Young Jeezy rocked the crowd for three hours plus, giving us our ends worth and a whole lot more--a chance to witness hip hop and R& B royalty graciously give back to their adoring fans.
The Cranberries performed at the Pearl last Thursday night.
They were great and the venue was equal to their performance.
I was really looking forward to seeing the Irish band, but I have never attended an event in the Palms.
I was totally impressed by the Pearl.
Fine acoustics and the seating is designed so that no one is very far from the performers.
The employees were supurb. They are very knowledgeable about the performance and the evening schedule.
They are very accomodating to your needs.
There are bars and restroom facilities on each level. Â
They have a very liberal policy about going in and out of the theater.
If you have the opportunity to see a group you really enjoy, your evening in the Pearl will make it all that much more enjoyable.
Supurb venue ........
I don't know what to say except that I LOVED this place. Saw The Cranberries here the other night - I expected to love the show, but was uncertain about the venue since I knew nothing before we went in.
It's a smaller venue - maybe 3000 seats. From what I can tell they usually have performers who could fill larger places. The floor is all standing room and there are three levels total . We say in the first set of seats right in the middle. Amazing seats they were, and I think anywhere in the venue would probably have a good view. I read that no seat is more than 120 ft from the stage and I can believe it. The seats were clean and comfortable, lots of leg room, no obstructions or heads in your way. Good viewing all around.
There is a full bar, great acoustics and sound, and a great atmosphere and vibe to the whole place. I would gladly see another show here. When I head back to Vegas I will actually check and see who is playing and go if it's anyone I am remotely interested in. A good time for sure!
Highly recommended.
Someone mentioned aging douche nozzles and I immediately thought of this place....
This year I have attended two concerts at The Pearl: The Cure (for my birthday) and Depeche Mode (for our Anniversary). Two great concerts for two great occasions. With a couple of trips to Vegas thrown in for good measure. Should be five stars all the way, right? Not so fast.
I truly LOVE a venue that is rather smallish and allows for a great all-around concert experience with performers who can fill much larger venues. BUT, and pay attention Maloofs, because this is for your benefit as well as the fans: could you PLEASE stop giving away a disproportionate number of free seats (given the size of your venue) to beer distributors and the like who clearly have no interest in the performers and either don't bother to show, scalp the tix or sit around and talk through the performance as if they were just hanging out in some bar?
Because, really, what I want to hear more than ANYTHING during a ballad performed by Depeche Mode is some asshat sitting directly behind me going on about how the happiest day of his life will be when his 19-y.o. daughter tells him she's a lesbian because he can't deal with the idea of her going out with guys like him. Seriously. He said that, and to prove his point, he called his lovely daughter back in LA and asked her what would make him the happiest man in the world...and she answered on cue, which, of course he shared with the people seated around him. I've dealt with some ridiculous scenes at concerts in recent years, but that one truly beat all.
I can't speak to the drink quality or prices, because after dealing with the blathering fucktard, we preferred to be anywhere but here.
Minus one star for a truly lousy promotional ticket policy that diminishes the overall concert experience for the real fans. Which, when you think about it, is not unlike what the Maloofs have consistently done to pro sports. So I think it's only fair to dock The Pearl another star for being owned by the Maloofs.
Of course I'm not bitter.
I got the pleasure of watching Mariah Carey live at the Pearl this past Saturday. I was excited about the venue being smaller and more intimate. You can definitely see the stage clearly from almost anywhere in the place. We had the top middle row which was right in front of the stage so I saw everything without having anyone sit in front of me.
Mariah did a great performance and I think the smaller stage and lighting worked to her advantage as she was glowing up there. My only thought would be that they not allow alcohol in the venue as there were two girls in the row behind us that puked after having a "little" too much. Thank goodness we weren't sitting close enough to them as I felt sorry for the people next to them.
Overall, it's a nice little intimate setting, if you appreciate that sort of thing.
Just saw DEPECHE MODE at The Pearl this past weekend & man oh man, what an amazing venue!!!
Smallish theater - capacity of about 2500 & this is w/ the entire 1st level standing-room only. There are 3 levels total & their site says that no seat is more than 120 ft away from the stage & I can vouch for this!
I felt super close to the stage....fantastic views w/ no obstruction & we were in the back of the 2nd level. Seats are situated perfectly so no heads get in the way & plenty of leg room. Â Stage itself had great lighting & DM's video screen was incredible.
Crisp, clear acoustics & they have the COOLEST sliding windows that are open to the bar area while entering the venue or during Intermission but they CLOSE OFF for the performance so there is no distracting noise coming from the bar crowd & we can focus solely on the phenomenal music
And PHENOMENAL it was! Â Malignant tumors, torn calf muscles & a host of other ailments certainly have not slowed Dave Gahan down.....he was full of energy & was spinning, strutting & shaking his hips all over the stage. Â Major Props!!
Whole crowd dancing & completely drenched in sweat
This would be my only complaint.....it was like the firey pits of hell in there to the point I thought the AC was broken
But even THIS does not make me want to give anything other than a huge 5-Stars. I totally cannot wait to come back to The Pearl to see more great acts!!
I just saw Gabriel Iglesias at The Pearl tonight.
I noticed he was coming last week and went to ticketmaster to buy my ticket it was a $50 ticket but came to almost $65 after the ticketmaster fees, but my printer had crapped out and will call wasn't an option so I went to the Box Office at the Palms, walked right up and got the same seat (front row), that I had saw on ticketmaster for $50 flat no service charge, no ticket printing fee, nothing...yay!!! (will be buying more tickets at the box office screw ticketmaster!!!)
So I get there tonight, parking was a bit of a hassle but nothing too bad, I get there and I have to admit it was a little odd, unlike most venues where you come in on the ground level and walk up to the upper sections, you come in on the top and have to go down a few flights of stairs to get to your seat...no biggy, I got there with time to spare.
Complaint #1, I know you have a captive audience for the shows, but come on $7 for a 12oz Miller Lite....that is a bit much, come on atleast serve 16oz bottles for that price.
I worked concert security for a few years in college and have been in many venues and I have to say Hands Down The Pearl is the best one I have ever been in, they didn't spare any expense in building that place it was beautiful, the preshow music sounded great (I can't wait to see a band there), and the venue us wide open, pretty sure there isn't a bad seat in the house.
I got down to the front row to take my seat and here is what prevented the place from getting 5 stars, the chairs were padded folding chairs that were linked together, I know they probably get a lot of shows where the lower level is a SRO pit, but for a sit down show the chairs sucked, add to that the fact that I am a bigger individual and the show is a comedian who is a "fluffy" guy, it was fair to say that I was almost the average size and the chairs were packed together, the couple behind me were both small and they were packed in, me and the 5 other people in my row were all pretty big and you couldn't move without bumping into someone. (the upper levels were theater seats and they looked to have a little more room)
I had a great time there and will keep an eye out for a band I want to see there, I really can't wait to see how a concert sounds there, I have heard good things.
To sum it up....beautiful venue, overpriced drinks (but that is all venues), decent parking, friendly box office (screw ticketmaster), and horrible chairs....get new chairs you get 5 stars!!!
Take a moment to imagine what it's like being in the VIP section of a pretty intimate music venue with Rihanna and Lebron James. And Jay Z is literally 20 yards away from you. And you're with the tallest man in the world*. And you're shaking your ass and singing along to some of your favorites and you're drinking vodka redbulls like you used to when you were a rave kid. And every 10 minutes, just when you think the night couldn't possibly get any better, the night grows infinitely better. And if you get up to the front of the standing space, you too can be splashed by the sweat of the performer before you because there are no barricades or annoying security asking you to step back. Yes, my friends. This is The Pearl.
The venue is awesome, security is friendly and guest-oriented. The only problem was the sound system-the mic was a little distorted and the bass was off. I'm no music equipment expert but I think I know when something's not quite right. Also- those vodka red bulls? At $11 a pop and 6 or 7 deep, Tallest Man in the World and I could have sent a kid to college on what we shelled out to maintain a steady blood alcohol content. But what the hell? It's Vegas and you only live once.
I will be back to see Beyonce at the end of the month.
*Thank you, Kevin for the ticket. Thank you, Kevin for being the best dance buddy ever. Thank you, Kevin for talking me into going at the last minute. Thank you Kevin for being so special that we get the royal treatment. I am forever grateful and you can have my first born. No really- take it.
I never thought I would ever step foot in a place like The Palms Hotel & Casino. But the Pearl is inside this place and the Cure was playing. Suck it up, I did. I hung around at some little indoor bar while I waited for my credentials. Yes, I get those. Do you know who I am??! Apparently, this woman in her 50's knew. She kept us company and somehow managed to hustle us out of a drink. She didn't know who I was, but did say I was "thick."
'Gee, thanks?'
"Thick. Ya know, like giiiirl you got some hips! You Latino? Messican? Cos ya'll be havin' some curves!"
'So, you're calling me fat?'
"Naw, girl! Thick. Theeeeeyyy-ick! That is a good thang. Brothas be lovin' thick!"
The Pearl is a very cool venue -- it reminds me of a smaller/indoors Greek Theatre. Every seat in the house guarantees a great view - but this place is not cheap. I believe tickets to see the Cure, specifically GA floor tickets, were running about $150!
My tickets were in the Mezzanine section, three rows from the FOH (front of house)...dead center. Great view, great sound and comfortable seating. The bar offers a full menu, but of course, at staggering prices.
I loved the size of the venue and the intimate factor. The decor was very nice and chic -- but nothing obnoxious.
I would definitely return to the Pearl. New Kids on the Block are playing in July. Tickets, please!
---
The Cure, btw, was great! I have managed to see the Cure four times in a matter of months...and this particular night, all CURE fans got a weird ending to the set. Nothing compared to Coachella's $1000 a min overtime treat. But still, just as memorable!
If you're going to the Pearl and have assigned seats, I'm guessing that you'll have a good time because it's not a huge venue and you probably have a good angle from whereever you're sitting.
If you are someone like me who is determined on being as close as possible in the pit, then you might need to reconsider going to shows here because it's disorganized and dangerous the way they handle people who want to be in the pit.
First off, you can't line up early. That's not a big surprise because I think most places in Vegas are like that. So you're bound to either wait around the casino, pretending to play at the nickel and quarter slot machines or just keep going back and forth till you see the door opening.
When the door opens, it's a big rush of people speeding through doors to get checked and scanned. Then you line up to the right side where the stairs are. After the door to the stairway's opened, the staff tells you not to run, but of course, everyone runs down the stairs and it can get crazy with people pushing down to get through. I think there must've been at least five to six flights of stairs. Once you make it to the bottom, they break the crowd up into two groups and it's all a matter of luck to see if your group will be the first ones inside to race to the very front.
So regardless of getting there early, you can still get screwed on getting to the front. I'd rather watch shows at the Joint at Hard Rock.
Before there was The Pearl at the Palms, most of the concerts were held at Rain Nightclub. Unless you had a skybox, I wouldn't suggest going there unless you don't mind tall sweaty guys rubbing their armpits on your head. Â I didn't care what the concert was, Nelly, Britney, Maroon 5, they were all fun times filled with energy. Upstairs has the best views and the easiest bars to get to.
But watching Gwen Stefani opening night at the Pearl took my breath away. It's a more intimate setting. She's undeniably beautiful and talented. Loved her Harajuku girls.
Saw a bunch of D list celebs there, Paris, Nicky, Tommy Lee, Hugh's Bunny's.
We got comp'd tickets in the box seating for 5. Your own bar and restrooms. Talk about V.I.P. If we were anymore V.I.P. I would've been backstage hanging out with her hot hubby Gavin and her son Kingston.
Maybe borderline stalker?
Thanks to the Palms for opening such a fabulous intimate venue, can't wait to see the next concert.
*Older review of the then-newish PEARL at the Palms. Actually, it's a show review for this underground rag for which I produce content. Recycling is good.
TOOL at the Palms: Pearl Theater, Flamingo LV
TOOL show was unbelievable. No wonder why they can charge upward of $120 a ticket (think three to five times that from
scalpers) yet still get glowing reviews from even non-fans and can sell out 500,000 capacity ampitheaters for multiple nights. Larger budget now allows them to utilize multiple lasers, smoke machines, and large-screen projectors which definitely increases the mystique and makes for an awe-inspiring, near-religious experience "without the religion."
Set list was (understandably) heavy on 10K Days, but they threw in some curveballs in there, kinda went like this:
-Jambi: Sickest non-Peter-Framptonish talk-box solo ever. People start moshing but soon get tired. Must increase your cardiovascular conditioning, frat boys.
-Stinkfist: Hell yeah. Get your body moving! "To Feel To breathe To know I'm alive!"
-Forty-Six and Two: Incredibly heavy and even more complex in the live setting, with notable points being 1. Justin Chancellor's HUGE bass sound and 2. the whole crowd singing "My Shadow-ah!! Shedding Skin-ah!! " Â
-Rosetta Stoned/interlude: (lots of feedback and frequency modulation with the shitloads of pedals on the floor between Justin and Adam...Maynard goes backstage to get megaphone for...)
-Intension: (weird-ass song on album, even trippier live with megaphone and vocoder effect during the spoken-word {"...Strapped down [to] my bed
Feet cold [and] eyes red
I'm out of my head
Am I alive? Am I dead?
Can't remember what they said
God damn, shit the bed.} parts. Which went into...
-Wings For Marie/10,000 Days: My favorite TOOL song after "Eulogy," extremely powerful live with lasers cutting swaths of light throughout the relatively small venue. Seeing all the lighters down front was pretty serene too. Most everyone, even the drunk jock meatheads in the "pit" area, calmed the fuck down and swayed to the hypnotic bassline and weather FX. The vocals/lyrics, deliberately understated on the album, are superb and even more powerful live. Only MJK can make a subtle, half-whispered line  "I never lived a lie, never took a life, but surely saved one. Hallelujah, it's time for you to bring me home." kick as hard as any death metal growl. I was dumbshit-speechless after this song, I could have gotten sniped from the rafters and it would have been A-ok. Damn.
-Lateralus: (during middle breakdown part, who comes out but JOHN DOLMAYAN from muffuggin' System Of A Down! {no wonder why techs were setting up a stripped-down Slipknot-style smaller kit stage right!} Danny Carey was smirking and having fun as he battled (on a full, 32-odd piece kit) with the younger drummer. John D. was holding his own as Justin kept the bass pattern going, keeping it interesting with flange and different effects. Carey "conceded" to Dolmayan, who stepped up to the throne to shake hands before throwing sticks out to the crowd and leaving. They pick up again and end the song, segueing neatly into
-Schism: Whole band speeds up at 5 minute mark, fucking crazy considering the many different time signatures going on. The "Between Supposed Lovers....." section stretched out into a full-on call and response between the strings, and the final 9/8 into 6/8 pattern is sped up and ends right on dime, with the lights ALL going out at the last note. I'm talking ALL the lights, even the aisle lighting. Very dramatic and well executed.
-Parabola: Band starts, then Maynard comes out and lies down next to the drums. Band stops, puts down their instruments, stretch out and lay down as well. Fkn classic. They start up and finish the song again after an almost EXACTLY 7 minute break. wtf is up with these guys!!!!
-Swamp Song: That's when you know true TOOL fans are REALLY down when you hear everyone around you singing this word-for-word and knowing that it was the last song on the cassette tape, Side A, off the 1993 Undertow album.
Vicarious: First single off 10,000 Days, nothing particularly revelatory here. Decent song that sounded fuller than the version on record. Stock CNN "smart-bomb-going-into-the-room-and-making-out-Âwith-the-wife" footage.
-AEnema: Strong set closer, light man pulling out all the stops with combo lasers strobes, etc. all shooting off. Ironic repetition of the "Fuck retro anything, fuck your tattoos!" (The only lyrics he sang off that verse, nothing about L. Ron Hubbard nor his clones) going right over the heads of the emo-stylin fashionistas with the henna work singing along in the expensive seats on the right side. Fuckin' awesome. No encores. None needed. Severely chuffed.
I can handle Las Vegas maybe for a few days every couple of years; it creeps me out... but I would go to worse places to see the Verve/Richard Ashcroft. The acoustics and design of the Pearl are amazing and worthy of great musicians. Â Thanks for having good taste for a change, Las Vegas, and bringing the Verve to your cool little state-of-the-art theater. Â Apparently Richard Ashcroft liked it so much he even put on a clean shirt; and that is a big deal for a travelling Englishman (my people travel light and go easy on the water). I never thought I would say this, but I had a practically perfect night in Las Vegas! Â
<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCTVI6-5vIOA&s=a8b138bbab09ce91dfac6adb829561965107026c52031d7612178db4913d3d79" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://youtube.com/watch…</a>
Las Vegas has a new place hosting concerts, courtesy of The Palms! Â I went here for the Bloc Party concert last month. Â With last minute tickets, we ended up sitting in the middle section, center stage.
Because they curtained off some of the seats, we found ourselves in the last row. Â And we were shocked, these were FAB seats! Â The two big screens on the sides kept us entertained until the show actually started. Â It's a smaller size theater, but it just makes it that much more intimate. Â
When the sound system came on, "oh my gawd!" Â What a great sound system! Â The BF and I were so impressed! Â They played good music before the show started that pumped up the crowd too. Â
Seats are slightly curved in a large oval to the stage, and there's plenty of leg room, so people can easily pass by. Â They have a pretty decent size standing room area right in front where body surfing and the like were immediately stopped. Â However, there was some serious moshing going on and it wasn't stopped at all. Â
For the fabulous sound system and the great seating, I can't wait to see another concert here!
Sidenote: They could offer a greater variety from the snack bar. Â That was disappointing.
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