311 Day 2010
On Thursday, March 11th, 2010 I saw one of the most epic concerts of my life. This was 311 Day 2010 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Every other year the band puts on an extensive, elaborate show to give thanks and appreciation to the hardcore 311 fans. During this amazing event they often play rare songs that are not normally played during their annual summer and fall tours. Some songs performed at the show haven’t been played since 1993 (Slinky). Others haven’t been played since 2000 (Brodels). The band also played several songs live for the first time, a setlist debut featuring “Get Down” and “Two Drops in the Ocean.”
The 311 Day show featured the band’s biggest stage ever. An intricate light and laser show was enhanced by circular video screens and an in-the-round stage, where the band played to fans in the front, in the back and to the sides of them. No matter where you were in the venue, fans were on their feet for five hours, grooving hard to 60 songs, feeling the 311 Day magic!
After the 311 Day show, the musical week in Vegas had just begun. The following night I saw Bob Marley’s legendary Wailers perform at the Mandalay Bay beach front and wave pool. Some of the members are originals who actually toured and recorded with Bob Marley. They played many classics including “Waiting in Vain,” “No Woman No Cry,” and “Jammin.” It was amazing seeing these timeless songs executed perfectly in such an authentic fashion.
The last part of my musical journey consisted of the incredible Cirque Du Soleil Beatles Love show at the Mirage hotel. It was wonderful to see breathtaking acrobatics, technical choreography and abstract visuals to some of the most famous Beatles songs ever written. The audio of the show was in 5.1 surround sound and they achieved this by placing left surround and right surround speakers in the head cushion of the seats. After seeing the show, I now have an all new appreciation for the Beatles Love album, as I experienced it in such a unique fashion.
The musical experience I had in Vegas was not only enlightening, but inspirational. I got to experience some incredible shows with my best friends and it was unanimous that everyone had a blast! I could have easily stayed in Vegas for another 2 weeks and experienced more musical endeavors (and there were some great acts coming to Vegas shortly after I left) but I have sessions to attend to at House Studios and great music to make here in NY!