The critically acclaimed Las Vegas festival Life Is Beautiful celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, bringing fans from all corners of the globe together for a three-day experience on historic Fremont Street. With performances from The Killers, Kendrick Lamar, ODESZA, and more, it felt like the culmination of an epic era of growth for the festival.
But this year, Life Is Beautiful is trying something different, something smaller, to kick off its next chapter: a “Big Beautiful Block Party.” Taking place over two days (Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28) and located in a single lot in the Downtown Vegas Arts District rather than an 18-block area, the Block Party will feature just two stages facing each other with alternating sets.
Get tickets to the Life is Beautiful street party here
Although the organizers have stated that this format is not… replacing While the more expansive “festival” experience of previous editions hardly fills the space while plans are made for the future, Block Party’s packed lineup remains on par with most major American events, even with half the number of artists. LCD Soundsystem, Justice and Jamie xx headline the bill, with Jungle, Peggy Gou, James Blake, Thundercat, Toro y Moi, Neil Frances, Empress Of, BADBADNOTGOOD, LP Giobbi, Jon Talabot and FIFI also set to perform.
If you are one of those who goes to festivals, the reduction of days and stages can seem as a downgrade, but given the Block Party's lower ticket prices, later start times, and curated programming, it may actually be just as worthy of the Life Is Beautiful name. Here are five reasons why Life Is Beautiful's “A Big Beautiful Block Party” is a welcome change for 2024. Get in on the fun by purchasing your tickets here.
A particularly fun dance party
Like all great multi-genre festivals, Life Is Beautiful typically offers a variety of styles to choose from in the worlds of electronic, hip-hop, alternative rock and pop. But this year, they’ve refined and consolidated their offering into 14 acts that share common ingredients. Chances are, if you’re already a fan of any of these groups – be it the kaleidoscopic house of Jamie xx, the dance punk of LCD Soundsystem or the psychedelic jazz of Thundercat and BADBADNOTGOOD – you’ll enjoy the others.
Each of these artists and groups are known for their electrifying live shows and have no problem keeping the party going. On top of that, there’s an oddity to some of these bookings; while artists like Jungle, LP Giobbi and Neil Frances have been mainstays of the festival for the past few years, it’s an event in itself to have LCD Soundsystem and Justice headlining the bill. Both bands emerged in a similar era of electronic-assisted bombast and aren’t as active these days, the former primarily playing residencies and the latter only recently returning to the road with their first album in eight years. Hyperdrama.
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