This architectural rendering shows the seating at the new Joint at the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas.
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009 | 4:13 p.m.
THE JOINT BY THE NUMBERS
The new $60 million, 4,000-seat venue was designed by Montreal-based architectural design firm Sceno Plus. It is more than double the size of the old Joint, which is being converted into casino space.
Some of the features of The Joint include:
- 700+ fixed balcony seats with front edge of balcony 155 seat from stage
- 4 dressing rooms plus a production office
- Three levels – general seating main floor; luxury boxes and vip areas on second floor and general seating on 3rd floor.
- A green room and meet and greet room
- Two Digidesign Venue Profile 96 channels digital mixing boards
- 18,000 lumens high-definition projectors to animate the screens
- WiFi access throughout the venue and full blogging station for press covering events and shows
- State-of-the-art sound system including a D & B Audiotechnik composed with two full flown stacks, stage fills and 25 delay speakers through the back of the venue, bar areas, and lobbies
- Innovative lighting system with 28 high quality moving lights and four DL3 video projectors
- Ability to transform venue for boxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts events, corporate functions and trade shows, as well as red carpet movie premieres and advanced screenings
Aging rock legend Paul McCartney, 66, apparently doesn’t mind that a lot of his fan base is aging as well -- insisting that his concert for the grand opening of the new Joint at the Hard Rock on April 19 be standing room only.
“The reason Paul McCartney took this gig is that he wanted a down and dirty, real old-fashioned rock show with minimal seating,” says Paul Davis, vice president of entertainment at the Hard Rock. “He wants to come out and look at the crowd and feel the entire crowd staring at him -– a real rock show with a real rock 'n' roll feel to it.”
Will the concession stand include Bengay and knee braces for the older fans muscles and joints are losing their battle with time?
Davis talked about McCartney Thursday as he led the media on a tour of the new Joint, a $60 million concert venue that bustling with activity as construction works hammer away to be ready for the first concert –- to be performed April 17 by the Las Vegas-based group The Killers.
“The Killers want as many people standing as possible,” Davis says.
There doesn’t seem to be any escaping the standing rule.
But in case there are bands that don’t mind seeing fans seated, there are comfortable folding chairs that will be stored under the 60–by–40 foot stage when not in use, which apparently will be most of the time.
The new Joint looks a lot like the old Joint, only bigger.
Montreal-based architectural design firm Sceno Plus designed the venue, creating a three-story showroom with general seating (standing) on the first floor and balcony seats (which are fixed theater seats) on the third floor.
The second floor includes several luxury lounges at the back of the room and along the side tables and a standing area for VIP guests.
Davis says the market has changed in the 14 years that the Joint has hosted more than 1,000 concerts. So Hard Rock execs decided to bring the room up to date, making it larger but with the design keeping the intimacy that made the old room so popular.
“The furthest seat in the house is only 155 feet from the stage,” Davis says.
While the Joint is primarily a concert venue, it will also feature boxing, mixed martial arts fights and private events.
“We aren’t designed for rodeos or ice hockey,” he says.
The new venue can accommodate any size concert tour.
Davis says the resort is doing its best to keep ticket prices low, in light of the state of the economy.
“It’s not easy to do, but we’re doing everything we cant – like the general admission for the Killers is only $59.50.”
WAS only $59.50.
Within minutes of the announcement that The Killers would perform the first concert in the new venue, they were sold out.
Same with McCartney and Kenny Chesney, country superstar who will brings his Sun City Carnival 2009 Tour to the venue April 25.
The Joint promises to be one of the most active joints in Las Vegas. I hope my joints can stand it.
Arguably one the coolest joints in town, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino houses some of Vegas' best entertainment, restaurants and nightlife.
At Hard Rock, it's all about the music. From the light fixtures made out of drum cymbals and guitar shaped door handles to stage costumes and tools of the trade of legendary musicians displayed on the walls, the hotel screams rock and roll. The Hard Rock's Joint has hosted some the biggest names in music — from The Who to Bob Dylan to hometown heroes, The Killers.Aside from the music venues, the pool at the Hard Rock is one of its biggest attractions. Spread out over 4.7 acres, the pool area features swim-up blackjack, a bar and grill, private cabanas, a bevy of secluded nooks, a waterfall and an extensive live music venue with a dance floor. During the summer, the pool transforms into the Rehab club on Sunday afternoons.
The resident nightclub Body English fuses European elegance with a rock star bachelor pad and it often a hot spot for visiting celebs and popular DJs. Vintage rock memorabilia lines the walls at Wasted Space, Hard Rock's anti-club.
Restaurants at Hard Rock are just as hip as the rest of the casino. Pink Taco serves up Mexican dishes, as well as a Central American and Caribbean menu. Nobu, one of five worldwide Japanese-specialty restaurants from famed Nobu Matsuhisa, satisfies a different taste. For round-the-clock cuisine, Mr. Lucky's 24/7, is sure to ease your appetite even after a Vegas-all-nighter.
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