Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Rock strikes 12 at Fremont Street with a dozen tribute bands lined up for NYE

2013: New Years Party at the Fremont Street 2

Steve Marcus

Jeanette Salaiz, left, and Tracy Clark listen to the band Pop Evil during the New Years Eve party at the Fremont Street Experience Monday, Dec. 31, 2012.

2013 NYE: Downtown Countdown at FSE

The Downtown Countdown featured Papa Roach, Blues Traveler, Loverboy, Vince Neil, Adelitas Way, Mayor Carolyn Goodman and her husband, former Mayor Oscar Goodman, on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, in Las Vegas. Launch slideshow »

It was the legendarily regal frontman Freddie Mercury who once said, “I want to live the Victorian life, surrounded by exquisite clutter.”

Mercury would have loved Fremont Street on New Year’s Eve.

As it is, Fremont Street Experience will love Queen, or a variation of the great rock band, on New Year’s Eve. That outfit of which we speak is called Queen Nation. It is but one of a dozen of the toppermost of the poppermost among tribute bands around the world to play FSE on and around New Year’s Eve.

It's dubbed “Downtown Countdown TributePalooza New Year’s Eve.” In the mix — with their respective bands of inspiration noted parenthetically — are the already mentioned Queen Nation, Led Zepagain (Led Zeppelin), Rio (Duran Duran), Generation Idol (Billy Idol), No Duh (No Doubt), Red Not Chili Peppers (The Red Hot Chili Peppers), Doobies Inc. (The Doobie Brothers), Jumpin’ Jack Flash (The Rolling Stones), Aeromyth (Aerosmith), Crimes of Passion (Pat Benatar), Don’t Look Back (Boston) and Bonfire (AC/DC).

It is, simply, the greatest stretch of tribute bands in the city’s history. An NYE crowd of 30,000 is expected, and the size and scope will be matched by the highest ticket price yet for a New Year’s Eve party on Fremont Street. Tickets are $30 for advance sales through Dec. 26 and $40 from Dec. 27-31.

It’s an age-restricted event, too, and everyone in attendance must be 21 or older with a valid ID. An on-sale date is yet to be announced (information is to be posted on VegasExperience.com). On the nights of Dec. 30 and Jan. 1-3, the shows will be free, as entertainment under the canopy is always no-admission except for the night of New Year’s Eve. The Main Street, 1st Street and 3rd Street Stages will all be in play for this party.

“What’s great about these acts is they are not just cover bands. They have the look and a lot of the production effects of the bands they represent,” says FSE Director of Marketing Tom Bruny. “And of course everyone will know every song.”

The celebration begins with a Dec. 30 pr-eparty, which will look, sound and feel a lot like an actual party, featuring six bands under the FSE canopy. The big shindig is Dec. 31, with all 12 bands featured. Seven bands will play, all on the Main Street Stage, on Jan. 1-3. The action begins at 6:15 p.m. NYE; 8 p.m. on the other nights.

As is customary on any New Year’s Eve, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman will lead the countdown to midnight, followed by an “America’s Party” Fireworks by Grucci show under the canopy choreographed to virtual fireworks on the Viva Vision screen.

The countdown will be preceded at 11:45 p.m. by a “2014 Year-in-Review Show” on Viva Vision, which runs the length of Fremont Street between 4th Street and Main Street and is the world’s largest video screen.

It’s big city lights, even without the Scorpions represented. But the even dozen can carry the night.

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWiththeDish.

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