Grammys descending on Fremont East for live concert

By John Katsilometes

Monday, Feb. 2, 2015 | 3:22 a.m.

There’s a pretty impressive metal show happening on Fremont Street right now. Credit, or blame, the Grammys for the rock ’n’ disruption.

A temporary arena and stage are being erected on Fremont Street at 6th Street, between El Cortez and Backstage Bar & Billiards. The stage is for a live performance that will cut into the 56th Annual Grammy Awards set for 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.

There is yet no verification of the band to perform, but word out of Fremont East is it is to be Imagine Dragons. The performance Sunday is to start at 7 p.m. and is reportedly to be an hourlong set with a series of cutaways from the televised show to the performance on Fremont Street.

Producers of the show also are planning a segment on the redevelopment of the region, specifically Container Park and its fire-breathing, metal praying mantis at the entrance.

This was all imparted on short notice to business operators and officials with the Downtown Project, who learned of the plans to cut off traffic on Wednesday. A rehearsal on the site is planned for 7 p.m. Saturday.

The City of Las Vegas has allowed a filming and event permit for the purpose of the telecast. Vehicle traffic has been halted on Fremont Street between Sixth and Seventh streets and will remain closed through Feb. 10. Work on the stage began Sunday, and the venue is to reflect a giant target, as Target is the telecast’s sponsor.

Recruiting Imagine Dragons would be a natural move for the Grammys, still considered the most prestigious award among contemporary music artists. The band won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance for their breakout hit “Radioactive” at the 2014 Grammy Awards. They are a Las Vegas band, and this is a celebration of their hometown. It’s on-target, and on Target, in this only-in-Vegas performance.

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