Backstage Pass

The view from miX at Mandalay Bay

Living in Las Vegas and working in public relations does have its perks. Considering all of the activities from dining to entertainment there is plenty to choose from. However, nothing beats getting an unexpected phone call that gets you backstage passes to a concert on a Monday night. Normally, I don’t play or stay out late on work nights. However, this was one opportunity that I was not going to pass on.

On August 22, Wu-Tang members Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and rap duo Mobb Deep performed at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. I’ve seen Wu-Tang perform before, most recently in Atlanta, Georgia in December 2010. Each show revisits a decade of dopeness with amazing performances. Each show is different and better than the last. With or without backstage passes, I was guaranteed to have good time.

Prior to attending the event, I met some friends for a few cocktails at miX Lounge in Mandalay Bay. This swanky lounge is quiet with a great view of The Strip. The atmosphere was the exact opposite of what was waiting downstairs at The House of Blues.

The line to get into the House of Blues was wrapped around the casino floor. Thankfully my backstage passes allowed me to cut the line.

The fans that arrived to support the artists were just as interesting as the show.  Most fans showed up in their best outfits, maybe a Wu-Tang  t-shirt. One fan bought $200 worth of Wu-Tang paraphernalia. Another fan had a not so subtle tribute to the band with several tattoos of Wu-Tang members on his chest, arms and legs. Now, that is dedication.

Backstage View

Rap duo Mobb Deep and MC Supernatural, who once held the world record for the longest continuous freestyle rap (9 hours), opened the show. Once Raekwon and Ghostface Killah hit the stage, fans were taken on a journey through hip-hop history that went on for several hours.  

Unfortunately, I was not able to stay until the end of the show. I needed enough sleep to continue running The Strip. After all, it was only Monday and I had a full week of meetings and more events.