Free Las Vegas Concerts at Fremont Street Experience: Rock of Vegas 2016

Summer 2016 is going to rock, and we’ve got a stellar line-up of free concerts here at Fremont Street Experience. If you’re looking for free Las Vegas concerts, don’t miss the Rock of Vegas summer concert series!

Rock of Vegas Logo2016
Two of our favorite things: Rock and Vegas.

Our free concerts in downtown Las Vegas kicks off Memorial Day Weekend with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, May 28, 2016, and runs through Labor Day Weekend.

 

Schedule of Free Las Vegas Concerts at Fremont Street Experience

May 28 – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – 3rd Street Stage
June 11 – 3 Doors Down – 3rd Street Stage
July 2 – Cherry Poppin’ Daddies – 1st Street Stage
July 23 – Robby Krieger of The Doors – 1st Street Stage
Aug. 6 – Vertical Horizon – 1st Street Stage
Aug. 20 – Melissa Etheridge – 3rd Street Stage
Sep. 3 – Smash Mouth – 3rd Street Stage

All these headliner shows start at 9:00 p.m. Again, they’re free, so no ticket is necessary.

Here’s more about this world-class line-up of musical performers we have in store this summer!

 

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Joan Jett & The Blackhearts rock Fremont Street on May 28, 2016. This could very well be one of the best Las Vegas concerts you’ll ever see. No, really.

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
May 28, 2016

Joan Jett is an originator, an innovator and a visionary. As the leader of the hard-rocking Blackhearts, with whom she has become a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, she’s had eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, including the classics “Bad Reputation,” “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll,” “I Hate Myself For Loving You” and “Crimson and Clover.” She sits at the head of her own independent label, Blackheart Records. Since co-founding the Runaways, the pioneering all-girl punk quintet, at age 15, Jett’s determination and drive have kept her in the public eye. Her music has become a permanent force in mainstream culture. Jett & the Blackhearts released their latest record, Unvarnished, last year and continue touring the globe to throngs of adoring fans.

 

 

3 Doors Down 2016 Horizontal 800w
Don’t miss 3 Doors Down on June 11.

3 Doors Down
June 11, 2016

Formed in 1995, Grammy Award-nominated multiplatinum Mississippi rock band 3 Doors Down consistently captivates audiences worldwide. The quintet’s many accolades include selling 16 million albums globally, receiving three Grammy nominations, and winning two American Music Awards. Their debut The Better Life, became certified six-times RIAA platinum in 2000 and was fueled by the success of juggernaut hit “Kryptonite.” This was followed by 2002’s sophomore album, Away from the Sun which went triple-platinum and saw similar success with “When I’m Gone” and “Here Without You.” 2005’s platinum Seventeen Days and 2008’s 3 Doors Down each earned #1 debuts on the Billboard Top 200, while Time of My Life landed at #3 in 2011. Ignited by the single “In The Dark,” 3 Doors Down unleashes their sixth full-length album, Us and the Night, in 2016.

 

 

Cherry Poppin Daddies Official
On July 2, it’s Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. Their high-energy show last year here at Fremont Street Experience was a highlight of our 2015 concert season.

Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
July 2, 2016

Cherry Poppin’ Daddies became a popular act during the swing revival of the late 1990s although the eight-piece band had formed one decade prior in Eugene, Oregon. The current line-up includes original members Steve Perry (performing under the mad scientist stage persona of “MC Large Drink”) on lead vocals, bassist Dan Schmid and trumpeter Dana Heitman. The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies broke into the musical mainstream with their 1997 swing compilation Zoot Suit Riot: The Swingin’ Hits of the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. Released at the onset of the late 1990s swing revival, the album went on to sell more than two million copies in the United States while its eponymous single became a radio hit. The Daddies have been debuting songs on tour from an upcoming (late 2015) album that will be called The Boop-A-Doo. Cherry Poppin’ Daddies has always prided itself on its craft and musicianship that have allowed them to excel in whatever format they choose to tackle.

 

 

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Robby Krieger (at left) brings the music of The Doors to FSE on July 23. At right, Waylon Krieger, Robby’s son and the band’s special guest vocalist.

Robby Krieger of The Doors
July 23, 2016

Born in Los Angeles, California, Robby Krieger played in bands with friends where he eventually came into contact with drummer John Dens more. The two began jamming on blues together later on meeting keyboardist Ray Manzarek and poet/singer Jim Morrison, resulting in the birth of The Doors. Quickly building a name for themselves in L.A. with their unpredictable live shows, The Doors were signed to Elektra Records, and issued their debut album, the Doors, in 1967. The album would become one of rock’s all-time classics, as it spawned the monster hit “Light My Fire,” a tune penned entirely by Krieger. Subsequent studio releases1967’s Strange Days, 1968’s Waiting for the Sun, and 1969’s the Soft Paradeall included several classic songs, and by the dawn of the ’70s, the band issued a pair of strong releases, 1970’s Morrison Hotel and 1971’s L.A. Woman. Krieger would go on to issue solo albums in addition to playing live dates, and guest appearances on albums by other artists. In the early 21st century, Krieger and Manzarek resuscitated The Doors (with the Cult’s Ian Asbury taking Morrison’s position, and the Police’s Stewart Copeland initially taking Dunmore’s spot) for live shows and recordings. Robby is currently playing Doors songs with his Robby Krieger Band and special guest vocalist Waylon Krieger.

 

 

Vertical Horizon is set to steal the show Aug. 2.
Vertical Horizon is set to steal the show Aug. 6 at Fremont Street Experience.

Vertical Horizon
Aug. 6, 2016

Vertical Horizon was founded in the early 1990s, but it was seven years before lead singer Matt Scannell’s songs became the radio hits that brought the popular grass roots band to national attention.  In 1999, they released their breakout album, Everything You Want, which went on to sell more than two million copies. The single  “Everything You Want,” captured the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Adult Top 40 charts, and became Billboard’s Most Played Single of 2000. The band garnered further radio attention with “You’re a God” and “Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning),” which in 2005 became a top 20 country hit for Gary Allan. Subsequent records followed included Go in 2003, Burning the Days in 2009 and their latest record, Echoes From The Underground, was released in 2013. Vertical Horizon tours extensively and in between tours Matt spends the majority of his time writing.

 

 

Melissa Etheridge 500w
Melissa Etheridge brings her musical magic to Fremont Street Experience on Aug. 20, 2016. Find her on our 1st Street stage.

Melissa Etheridge
Aug. 20, 2016

Melissa Etheridge stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. For several years, her popularity grew around such memorable originals as “Bring Me Some Water,” “No Souvenirs” and “Ain’t It Heavy,” for which she won a Grammy in 1992. Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album, Yes I Am. The collection featured the massive hits, “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” a searing song of longing that brought Etheridge her second Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995, Etheridge issued her highest charting album, Your Little Secret, which was distinguished by the hit single, “I Want to Come Over.” Her astounding success that year led to Etheridge receiving the Songwriter of the Year honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards in 1996. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America’s favorite female singer-songwriters for more than two decades. In February 2007, Melissa Etheridge celebrated a career milestone with a victory in the “Best Song” category at the Academy Awards for “I Need to Wake Up,” written for the Al Gore documentary on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth. Most recently, she released her latest album This Is M.E. in September 2014, which features singles Take My Number, A Little Bit of Me and Monster.

 

 

Smash Mouth Official
Smash Mouth rounds out our summer concert series with a show on Sep. 3.

Smash Mouth
Sep. 3, 2016

Formed in late 1994, Smash Mouth began recording demos and showcasing in both San Jose and Hollywood, Calif. In June 1997, Smash Mouth signed to Interscope Records when label brass caught wind of an unknown (and unsigned) band being added to L.A. radio station KROQ’s playlist after only one spin of their song “Walkin’ on the Sun.” Smash Mouth’s major-label debut Fush Yu Mang goes more than double platinum and sets the table for what most consider their masterpiece, the brilliant follow-up album Astrolounge. Boasting three top-ten hits (“All-Star,” “Then the Morning Comes,” and “Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby”), sales for Astrolounge are nearly double than their debut album, approaching quadruple platinum status. Smash Mouth’s third eponymous Interscope release features the ecstatic first single “Pacific Coast Party” and the smash hit “I’m a Believer” which was featured on the Shrek soundtrack. The band most recently released the album Magic and continue has focused on touring and entertaining troops in Japan, Guam, Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Even if you’re not around for our free concerts, we’ve got a great line-up of nightly free shows. See our official calendar for details.

Join us at Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas for a summer of free concert experiences you won’t soon forget.

 

40 responses to “Free Las Vegas Concerts at Fremont Street Experience: Rock of Vegas 2016

  1. When will the June 2016 schedule for live music be posted? Could this be emailed to me I will be staying downtown June 1st-5th.
    Thanks

    1. We post the next month’s events as quickly as we can, after the schedule has been finalized. There are a lot of moving parts, but typically mid-month prior to the month in question. So, right around now. 🙂

      1. What about the mess during the tear down of Mermaids, Bayou and Glitter Gulch,..they all close 6/27/16. Ne casino/hotel being built?

        1. Yep, there will be a transition period, but we trust the new owners will put that space to good use! A new resort is being planned.

  2. Hello,

    We are representing the group Go Ask Alice.

    After noticing you are featuring many tribute bands our thoughts are this is one you don’t want to miss.

    Go Ask Alice is a tribute to the award winning band Alice in Chains.

    They will be performing at the Jack FM Throwback event on June 25th and can give your audience a great concert experience as well.

    Included is a FB link to see more about what they are all about.

    https://www.facebook.com/goaskalicebanddfw/

    Feel free to contact us at the info provided below.

    We look forward to hearing from you.

  3. If show starts at 9pm what is the suggested time of arrival to get a good view of the band, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.

    1. You might want to be even earlier than an hour for Joan Jett. Punk Rock Bowling Music Festival is ALSO this weekend downtown. Gonna be pretty crowded.

    1. Yep, the summer concert series runs through Smash Mouth on Sep. 3. After Rock of Vegas ends, though, we always have live music, all year round.

    1. We resent that! Although, we resent it less because you took the time to catch our mistake. Thank you!

  4. I was wondering while at Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, there were people with VIP passes. How do you get a pass like that?

    1. The VIP passes are handed out by the casinos on Fremont. I was lucky enough to get one last year for Theory of a Deadman because they had extra’s and I got there early and was up front when they were handing them out.

  5. As a local, I’d LOVE to come enjoy some, if not all, of these concerts. The only problem, PARKING!!! Enlighten me?? I’m not talking about parking at a casino, validating and that whole hassle. I don’t want to valet at a casino either. Is there free and LEGAL parking anywhere downtown, or at least cheap??

    1. It’s a tad complicated, but there’s ample parking in and around both FSE and Fremont East. Our FSE garage is fairly reasonable at $2 an hour. (Learn more: https://vegasexperience.com/more-than-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-parking-at-fremont-street-experience) Most folks still park at casinos, and most have an easy way to avoid paying for parking, although as you mention there’s a validation component. (Other guests park at our FSE garage and get their ticket validated at one of our member casinos.) More folks are using the ParkMe app to find parking downtown, so you might try that: https://www.parkme.com/search?q=downtown+las+vegas

    1. Not per se, but it’s significantly cooler (up to 40% cooler in some spots) on Fremont Street Experience because of the shade of the Viva Vision canopy, and also the shape of the promenade contains the cool air coming out of the doors of the casinos. Hope that helps!

  6. When will the December calendar be available? Will be there Christmas weekend and was curious what bands will be playing.

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