This Weekend's Las Vegas Rock Radar: Three Shows You Don't Want to Miss!

 As part of my new gig, I occasionally pass along local weekend travel tips to newspapers and magazines, and for airlines travel brochures, spotlighting the bands and shows lighting up Las Vegas. Here are the artists and performances that made my list for this weekend. 🎸⚡

Click for info & Tickets

Tonight (October 15), Raiding The Rock Vault storms back onto the stage at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Las Vegas Strip, delivering exactly what its longtime fans have come to expect: Real Rock, Real Rockstars. This isn't your average tribute show. It's a powerhouse celebration of rock 'n' roll history, performed by musicians who have lived it, played it, and helped write it. Packed with classic anthems, blazing guitars, and enough energy to shake the walls, Raiding The Rock Vault brings together veteran performers with credits that read like a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame playlist. If you're looking for one show that captures the spirit, sound, and swagger of rock's greatest era, this is where your weekend should begin. 🤘🎸🔥

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It looks like the Copa Room inside Tuscany Suites gets the weekend nod. Friday night, City of Evil returns to the stage for a full-throttle tribute to Avenged Sevenfold, delivering two complete sets packed with the band's biggest fan favorites. Adding to the fun, the night doubles as a pre-Halloween bash, giving concertgoers the perfect excuse to break out their spooky, wild, or downright outrageous costumes. Best of all, admission is free and the event is open to all ages, making it a great choice for both die-hard Avenged Sevenfold fans and anyone looking for a high-energy night of live music. If you're searching for heavy riffs, pounding drums, and a room full of fellow rock fans, the Copa Room is the place to be Friday night. 🤘🎸👻🔥

Wild Child Wasp Tribute

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Closing out Saturday night, High Priest brings its signature brand of sonic brutality back to the Tuscany, and they're not coming alone! 

Joining the assault is Wild Child Wasp Tribute, adding another dose of raw power to an evening built for fans who like their music loud, heavy, and unapologetic. Expect crushing riffs, thunderous drums, screaming guitars, and enough headbanging energy to rattle every table in the room. This is the kind of show that reminds you why live rock and metal continue to thrive in Las Vegas. If you're looking for a gentle evening, keep walking. But if you want to end your Saturday night with a full-scale rock-and-roll beatdown, High Priest and Wild Wasp have your marching orders. What a brutal way to close out the weekend.

{My Take}

From legendary rock anthems on the Strip to Avenged Sevenfold favorites and a Saturday night metal assault at the Tuscany, this weekend proves once again that Las Vegas is far more than casinos and neon lights. For music fans, it's a city with a new soundtrack every night. 

Get out, support live music, and make a few memories before Monday comes calling. 

I know I am! 🤘🎸🔥

Gary England

Raiding The Rock Vault Returns To The Las Vegas Strip For Two Nights Of Pure Rock Thunder!

  Raiding The Rock Vault returns to the Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip for two special nights of legendary Rock n' Roll on Thursday, October 15th and Saturday, November 28th.

More than a concert, this is a full-throttle ride through the soundtrack of generations. Raiding The Rock Vault cranks up the amps and takes audiences on a powerhouse journey through the history of rock 'n' roll, delivering the timeless songs that changed music forever.

Get ready for an explosive setlist featuring iconic hits from The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Free, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Boston, Kansas, Aerosmith, Van Halen, AC/DC, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Heart, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, and many more. Every riff, every chorus, and every anthem is performed with the energy and authenticity that made these songs legendary.

The stage will be packed with rock royalty and road-tested veterans, including:

🎤 Andrew Freeman (Last in Line, Great White, The Offspring, Lynch Mob)
🎤 Jizzy Pearl (Love/Hate, Ratt, L.A. Guns)
🎤 Keith St. John (Montrose, Burning Rain)
🎸 Steve Hott (Ratt)
🥁 Blas Elias (Slaughter, Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
🎸 Mitch Perry (Michael Schenker Group, Edgar Winter, Cher)
🎸 Sean Koos (Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The Outfield)
🎻 Georgia Napolitano (Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
🎹 Michael T. Ross (Lita Ford, Missing Persons, Aldo Nova)
🎸 Rowan Robertson (Dio)

**Artist lineup subject to change.

Together, these acclaimed musicians bring decades of rock history to one stage, performing the songs that filled arenas, ruled the airwaves, and became the soundtrack of our lives.

📍 Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip
🚪 Doors Open: 7:00 PM
🎸 Showtime: 8:00 PM

Two nights. One stage. A lifetime of rock classics.

If you ever cranked up Zeppelin, sang along with Journey, raised your fist to AC/DC, or wore out a Queen album, this is your show. Whether you're reliving the glory days or introducing the next generation to real rock 'n' roll, prepare for a high-voltage night packed with unforgettable performances.

Real Rock. Real Rockstars!

🎟 Tickets (Both Dates):
www.RaidingTheRockVault.com/tickets

🎟 Thursday, October 15 Event Page

🎟 Saturday, November 28 Event Page

{My Take}

As a longtime rock journalist, I can't help but think the stars are lining up. Ever since Raiding The Rock Vault said goodbye to Las Vegas last December, there's been a void in the city's live rock scene. Now that the Hard Rock Hotel is making its return next year, what better show to fly the flag for real rock 'n' roll music than RTRV? If you ask me, it's a no-brainer! Just sayin'! 🤘🎸

See you at the show,

Gary England 🤘🎸🔥

Real Rock Returns Home: Raiding The Rock Vault Hits The Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip October 15th, 2026!

Raiding the Rock Vault is rolling back into Las Vegas like a runaway freight train loaded with Marshall stacks, ready to blow the doors off the Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip this fall. On Thursday, October 15, 2026, the city’s most notorious all‑star classic‑rock battalion will unleash a full‑throttle voltage blast on the venue’s state‑of‑the‑art stage — a night built for head‑bangers, riff‑chasers, and anyone who still believes rock should be played loud enough to rattle the neon on the Las Vegas Strip!

Raiding the Rock Vault ignites the Strip with a high‑voltage history lesson — one riff at a time!

The show fires through the giants of the rock universe, unleashing thunder from The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Free, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Boston, Kansas, Aerosmith, Van Halen, AC/DC, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Heart, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, and a whole army of other legends who turned amplifiers into weapons and riffs into religion.

Every song hits like a ripped‑out page of rock history, blasted with the volume stuck wide open!

Raiding the Rock Vault blasts through the ’60s to the ’80s, celebrating Real Rock and Real Rockstars with every hit they fire off!

Talking about a full‑blown roll call of rock’s heavy hitters — the legends, the lifers, the names that built the genre.

Talking about Real Rock Real Rockstars! 

OCTOBER 15th ALL-STAR LINEUP

Andrew Freeman: Lead Vocals (Last in Line, Great White, The Offspring, Lynch Mob)

Jizzy Pearl: Lead Vocals (Ratt, L.A. Guns, Love/Hate)

Steve Hott: Lead Vocals (Ratt, Michael Angelo Batio)

Georgia Napolitano: Lead Vocals (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rod Stewart)

Rowan Robertson: Lead Guitar (Dio)

Jeff Duncan: Lead Guitar (Armored Saint)

Sean Koos: Bass (Joan Jett, The Outfield, Nena, Katrina & The Waves)

Blas Elias: Drums (Slaughter, Trans-Siberian Orchestra)

Michael T. Ross: Keyboards / Musical Director (Lita Ford, Missing Persons, Aldo Nova)

Sarah Jessica Rhodes: Dancer & Choreographer (Absinthe, Spice Wannabe)

(Lineup subject to change without notice.)

After twelve years and over 1,800 shows, and a much-needed vacay. 

 Raiding the Rock Vault returns home like a band returning to its roots — guitars warm, hearts full, and their next chapter ready to write and roar!

See you in October!

Gary England

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Ticket Sales - Show Details & Information 

October 15, 2026 — Special Return Performance

Doors: 7:00 p.m.

Rock Star Meet & Greet: 7:00 p.m.

Show: 8:00 p.m.

Tickets go on sale Friday, September 11, 2026, at 10 AM PDT www.raidingtherockvault.com/tickets/

TICKETS & ROCK STAR MEET AND GREET

Tickets start at $39, plus tax and fees.

www.raidingtherockvault.com/tickets/

Fans can upgrade any ticket level with the Rock Star Meet & Greet Upgrade for $100, which includes:

• Meet and greet with members of the cast before the show

• Photo opportunity with the rock stars

• Official show program

Ticket holders also receive a 20% discount at Hard Rock Cafe during their visit (alcohol excluded).

Venue Location

Raiding the Rock Vault

Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip

3771 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Las Vegas, NV

(Showcase Mall, next to MGM Grand)

*Parking next door*

Contact

MEDIA CONTACT

Erik Nielsen: social@raidingtherockvault.com

Website: www.raidingtherockvault.com

Late December Marks The Final Encore For A Las Vegas Icon!

 For over a decade, Raiding The Rock Vault has electrified fans with the greatest setlist on the Las Vegas Strip. Classic Rock Anthems Performed by the rock legends who lived it, breathed it, and helped define an era. From its debut in 2013, the show has become a must‑see pilgrimage for music lovers worldwide, earning its reputation as the longest‑running rock residency in Vegas history and a cornerstone of the city’s entertainment identity.

Now, after thousands of standing ovations, over 1,800 performances, countless guitar solos, and more memories than any vault could hold, the time has come for the show's final celebrations.

December 23rd, 25th, 27th, and the final curtain call, December 30th!

Thanks for the memories!

GE

Tickets For The Remaining Shows

Raiding The Rock Vault Official Website

Raiding The Rock Vault Facebook

Raiding The Rock Vault Instagram

Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip

Saying Goodbye To A Rock And Roll Institution: Raiding The Rock Vault Bids Farewell To Las Vegas On December 30th 2025

 

Photos From October RTRV Show
Click on pic to Enlarge

Raiding the Rock Vault will close its legendary Las Vegas run with a final show at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip on December 30, 2025, ending a 12-year residency that has become one of the city’s most beloved rock spectacles.

As of today, there are 5 shows left. Tonight, November 29th, December 23rd, 25th, 27th, and the final show on December 30th. So, you'd better get moving and grab your tickets before they're gone!

< Tickets >

When Raiding The Rock Vault landed in Las Vegas, it wasn’t just another tribute show—it was a declaration that the Strip would forever keep the flame of classic rock burning. Nestled among neon marquees and Cirque du Soleil spectacles, this production carved out its own identity by offering something raw, loud, and unapologetically authentic. Unlike the polished pop revues that dominate casino theaters, Rock Vault brought in the real deal: musicians who had lived the glory days of arena tours, platinum records, and backstage chaos. "Real Rock Real Rockstars"!

Meet The Band (Partial List of Rockstars over the years)

For locals, it became a rallying point—a reminder that Vegas isn’t only about glitz and gambling, but also about honoring the soundtrack of their youth. For tourists, it was a time machine: one night you could be transported from the British Invasion to Sunset Strip glam, all without leaving your seat at the Hard Rock Cafe. The show’s rotating lineup kept it fresh, with legends from bands like Foreigner, Asia, and Heart stepping in to shred solos and belt anthems. That unpredictability gave audiences the thrill of seeing history unfold live, as if the Strip itself had become a backstage pass to rock’s greatest hits.

In a city built on reinvention, Raiding The Rock Vault proved that legacy has a place alongside spectacle. Every riff, every chorus, every leather-clad performance kept the spirit of rock alive in a town that thrives on nostalgia as much as novelty. 

The Strip may change, but thanks to Raiding The Rock Vault, the roar of guitars and the echo of anthems will always have a home in Las Vegas.

I would like to thank Sir Harry Cowell (Creator & Producer), Erik Nielsen (Media), all the staff, and all the rock stars who have performed in the show over the years for always treating me like family. You're all Rockstars to me! And to Raiding The Rock Vault's Biggest Fan, Fukiko Kuranuki, you give a whole new meaning to how a music fan is defined. She's attended 395 shows and counting!

On December 30, 2025, Raiding the Rock Vault will take its final Las Vegas bow at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Las Vegas Strip, concluding more than a decade of electrifying performances that have defined the city’s rock entertainment landscape. While Las Vegas audiences will miss the nightly celebration of classic rock delivered by an all‑star cast of legendary musicians, the production’s story is far from over. In 2026, Raiding the Rock Vault will embark on an international tour across North America, the UK, and Europe, ensuring that its powerful legacy and timeless music continue to inspire fans worldwide.

Raiding The Rock Vault will be sorely missed in Las Vegas! 

But one day, Raiding The Rock Vault just might return! 

In Vegas, you just never know!

GE

Raiding The Rock Vault Rocks The Hard Rock Cafe On The Las Vegas Strip For Its Final Season

 Last night I hit the Vegas Strip for what I call the "Best Music Production Show Of All Time"

Raiding The Rock Vault has been voted "Best Of Las Vegas" for 10 years in a row, will be closing on December 30th later this year.

Let's just say that Raiding The Rock Vault lit up the Hard Rock Cafe last night in front of a packed Hard Rock Cafe audience, with a thunderous celebration of classic rock as only this show does!

Click On Picture To Enlarge

Fans packed the intimate 250-seat venue to witness a high-voltage performance that paid tribute to the greatest rock anthems from the 1960s through the 1980s. The energy was electric from the first opening song to the final encore.

Last night's cast of world-renowned rock stars was like a who's who in the music industry!

Beginning with Todd Kerns ((Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators)

Mitch Perry (McAuley Schenker Group, Cher, Lita Ford, Edgar Winter)

Rowan Robertson (Dio, Bang Tango, DC4)

Michael T Ross (Aldo Nova, Lita Ford, Angel)

Dan Grenes (Petty And The Heartshakers, The Windjammers, Phoenix)

Keith St John (Kingdom Come, Burning Rain, Montrose, Lynch Mob)

Blas Elias (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Slaughter, Burning Rain)

Jaime Lynch (Zowie Bowie, Pussycat Dolls, Fantasy At The Luxor)

Very Special Guest Jason Boyleston (Legends Of Classic Rock, Paul Rodgers)

Robert Pellizzaro (Bobby Blue, Kidd Blue)

* Other rotating rock star legends from bands like Heart, Foreigner, Whitesnake, and Bon Jovi appear on a rotating Schedule.

These awesome rock veterans brought the house down with hits from The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, AC/DC, Journey, and many more. Their chemistry on stage and sheer musical prowess reminded fans why Raiding The Rock Vault has been a staple of Vegas entertainment for over a decade!

After 12 years and over 1,800 performances, Raiding The Rock Vault will take its final bow in Las Vegas on December 30th. Producer Sir Harry Cowell cited declining tourism and attendance as reasons for the curtain call, especially noting the impact of fewer Canadian and European visitors—key demographics for the show. But this isn’t the end: the production plans to tour North America, the U.K., and Europe in 2026.

A Legacy That Won’t Fade

Launched in 2012 as a scripted rock musical, Raiding The Rock Vault evolved into a pure celebration of rock history. It’s been voted “Best Musical” and “Best Tribute Show” multiple times by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and consistently ranked as the No. 1 performance on TripAdvisor.

As the final shows approach, fans are encouraged to grab tickets while they last. Whether you’re a lifelong rocker or just discovering the magic of classic rock, Raiding The Rock Vault is a must-see experience before it leaves the Strip for good. And that's December 30th. There are only 18 more shows till the final curtain falls. So, you'd better get your tickets, like now! < Tickets >

Raiding The Rock Vault Official Website

 I've seen the show over three dozen times in the years since its debut. It's like a new experience every time I see it! The Rock Vault will be missed by many, including this fan and journalist.

I'll see you at the final show on December 30th!

GE

#JaimeLynch #JasonBoyleston #RobertPellizzaro #GaryEngland #NationalNewsMedia #WorldwideEntertainmentNetwork #USAT #LasVegasSun #LasVegasReviewJournal #LasVegasWeekly #tickets