Calvin Harris, Tiesto & David Guetta got Vegas dancing in 2016

While Las Vegas has always been a city that has hosted some of the biggest and most internationally famous figures from the world of music, the entertainment image of the city has undergone a radical overhaul over the past few years and the sort of performers that it attracts nowadays reflect this change.

In particular, Vegas is now a genuine hotbed for the electronic dance music (EDM) scene that has swept over America in recent times and many of the hottest figures from that scene have played headline gigs in the city. One of these is Tiesto, one of EDM’s most bankable names. The winner of multiple MTV awards as well as a Grammy has become a regular DJ at the Hakkasan Nightclub in Vegas, performing to amped-up, excited revellers. Nor is he alone in finding Las Vegas to be a great city for electronic music, as another of the show-stopping stars of this genre – David Guetta – has made it a second home. Having established himself as a success there, the remixer, producer and DJ from France – whose smash hits include Memories, Without You and When Love Takes Over – is performing at a number of Vegas venues throughout the remainder of this year, including the Encore Beach Club and XS. These two multi-million selling EDM megastars have also been joined by Armin van Buuren, who is scheduled to perform a much anticipated gig at

These two multi-million selling EDM megastars have also been joined by Armin van Buuren, who is scheduled to perform a much-anticipated gig at Omnia next month. This musical prodigy is another of the unquestioned stars of the EDM scene in 2016, with 25 million fans tuning in to his A State of Trance radio show every week, showing the calibre of performer the city is enticing.

With the likes of Steve Angello, Calvin Harris, Axwell and Ingrosso and Alesso also hitting Vegas this year, it is clear that it is now an EDM city. Much of it is centred on certain venues in the city, including the likes of the Encore Beach Club, Hakkasan and Omnia, but even the big casino complexes such as the MGM Grand and Wynn  are now hosting cutting edge DJs among their live music entertainment. This certainly reflects a major change in the musical landscape of Vegas, which – prior to the residency of Celine Dion – was seen as a place where stars went towards the end of their careers.

In the past, Vegas was always able to attract show stopping stars, with Frank Sinatra, Elvis and Tom Jones among those who became staples. Sinatra, and the Rat Pack, became particularly associated with it – most notably the Sands Hotel and Casino – and gave the resort a classy, sophisticated image. Vegas was also where Elvis chose to make his 1969 comeback, while Tom Jones joined him as a regular there throughout the 1970s. In more recent times, both Elton John and Celine Dion have enjoyed residencies and are part of the best music shows in Las Vegas. However, although these performers attracted huge crowds, they were generally older fans, while the EDM stars appeal to the young. What this demonstrates is the Las Vegas has gradually shifted to become a resort that music stars hit at the height of their appeal, rather than when it is winding down.