Columnist Spencer Patterson: Time an important element in Vegas shows

Spencer Patterson

Friday, May 9, 2003 | 8:33 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers music for the Sun. His music notes column appears Fridays. Reach him at spencer@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-2309.

Apparently, southern jam band Gov't Mule played for more than five hours Saturday night at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

Meanwhile in Las Vegas, the Donnas played the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay for about 50 minutes.

Now, I'm not normally the type to judge a show, or an album, by duration. But after witnessing a string of notably short sets by headlining bands in recent months, I've come to the conclusion it's not unreasonable to expect more than an hour's worth of music from a significant touring act.

The Strokes clocked in well under that mark in their first Las Vegas appearance last year, and the concert ended before it went anywhere. A few months later the band was back with a beefed-up set list, and the results were dramatically better.

The Vines, meanwhile, left the stage after just 40 minutes, much to the bewilderment of their fans. After a break you wouldn't have thought the band needed, the quartet returned for a hearty, 10-minute encore. But the damage was done; many fans walked away feeling slighted.

In festival settings or opening slots, time should never be a factor in considering an act's success.

But when it comes to headlining, particularly in a town as off-kilter with ticket prices as this one, concertgoers deserve a fair return for their money. And like it or not, that includes the expectation of a true "evening" of entertainment.

Music notes

Saturday in the park: Southern Nevada's free "Jazz in the Park" series begins Saturday night at 8 with the first of four shows over the next six weeks at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater.

Local bassist Morrie Lauden and his Morrie Lauden Trio bookend the series, playing with saxophonist Bob Sheppard on Saturday and backing saxophonist Rick Margitza on June 21.

Local big-band ensemble the Jimmy Wilkins New Life Orchestra plays May 24, while vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater holds court June 7.

"Once again, it's an extraordinarily strong lineup," said Patrick Gaffey, cultural program supervisor for the county. "I'd like somebody to find as good a free festival anywhere in the country. I don't think there is one."

HOB calls three off: Three shows scheduled for the House of Blues have been canceled: Fieldy's Dreams this Wednesday, 702 on May 24 and Rob Halford on June 7. Refunds can be obtained at original points of purchase.

Slow ticket sales doomed Korn bassist Fieldy's hip-hop side project, a late addition to the venue's schedule just last week. The other two shows were the victims of the musicians' scheduling conflicts.

One other bit of HOB housekeeping: Trainwreck, a band that includes Tenacious D's Kyle Gass, has been moved from June 14 to June 28, the result of a House of Blues scheduling snafu.

Fab fourth: Word has it Paul McCartney will be back in Vegas on July 17 for another concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, his fourth MGM show in 15 months. Considering how little the show has changed, this is recommended only for first-timers or die-hard nostalgists.

Quick hits

A look at a few of the shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada in the next week:

New Orleans' Supagroup brings its bluesy, hard rock sound to the Cooler Lounge, 1905 N. Decatur Blvd., Saturday at 10:30 p.m. Fronted by Alaskan-born brothers Chris and Benji Lee, the band makes no apologies for its obvious AC/DC worship, even referring to Bon Scott as a "godfather" on latest album "Rock and Roll Tried to Ruin My Life." Donations of $3-$5 are requested at the door.

On the local scene, indie duo the Bleachers -- aka Joe Maloney and Marco Brizuela -- play Cafe Espresso Roma, 4440 S. Maryland Parkway, Saturday night at 7:30. Also on the bill: Higashi, Orange Sheila and the Red Thread. Donations of $4 are requested at the door.

Monday night, the House of Blues hosts Everclear. The band that made alternative rock waves with "Santa Monica (Watch the World Die)" and "I Will Buy You a New Life" during the mid-1990s released a new album, "Slow Motion Daydream," in March. The Exies and Longshot open. Tickets are $20-$40.

On sale

Neil Young returns to The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, along with longtime backing band Crazy Horse, on July 26. Tickets are $103 and $203 and go on sale Saturday at noon at the Hard Rock box office, at TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 or 593-5066 or at ticketmaster.com.

Other new additions to The Joint's upcoming schedule: Train on July 3, La Ley on July 23, Queensryche and Dream Theater on July 28, Widespread Panic on July 29 and July 30 and Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan on Aug. 23. Ticket details have not been announced for those shows.

Tickets are on sale now for two concerts at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay: Candlebox's Kevin Martin with the Hi-Watts and Magna-Fi on May 22 ($15) and KC & The Sunshine Band on July 18 ($35-$55). Tickets are available at the House of Blues box office, by phone at 732-7600.