Sarah Feldberg
MGM Resorts announced late last month the lineup for the fourth annual Route 91 Harvest Festival, a countrified, three-day party that takes place on the Strip from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at the Las Vegas Village events space across from Mandalay Bay.
This year's roster includes chart-topping stars such as Sam Hunt, Jason Aldean and Eric Church, up-and-comers like Brett Young, Lauren Alaina (fresh off the release of her second album) and Maren Morris, who took home a statue for Best Country Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards last month.
The event launched in 2014 and the last two years have sold out in advance, establishing the festival as a fixture on the country calendar and boosting Las Vegas' reputation as a destination for country music.
While the Strip will never rival Nashville for country cred, today Las Vegas boasts multiple music festivals heavy on the twang, resident performers straight out of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, all of which brings plenty of cowboy-friendly entertainment to town.
Depending on the weekend, the city can feel a bit like Nashville West, with a side of slot machines, bottle service and Cirque du Soleil.
Along with Route 91, the ACM Awards also imports a tidal wave of country talent. The ACM Party for a Cause (March 30 to April 2) is a four-day festival that leads up to the star-studded award show. This year's bill spreads the festivities over multiple events and venues, from a two-day mini-bash at Mandalay Beach featuring Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen and the Brothers Osborne, a takeover of the Rehab pool party at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and concerts at the Joint, Pearl and the House of Blues with acts like Kelsea Ballerini and Lady Antebellum.
Even when major events aren't taking place, Vegas retains some country swagger. Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn have teamed up for a residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, and George Strait came out of retirement for a series of performances at the T-Mobile Arena. In past years, Shania Twain has rocked the Colosseum, Garth Brooks held court at the Encore and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill set up shop at the Venetian.
When the National Finals Rodeo arrives in December, casinos are quick to roll out bookings that cater to its fans. Last year's listings included Kacey Musgraves, Toby Keith and Dwight Yoakam, a make-your-own-festival slate of concerts to complement the action in the arena and the cowboy Christmas market.
Las Vegas has always had a reputation for being a little bit rock 'n' roll, but it's now a little bit country, too.