Music Takes Center Stage at the Inaugural Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix

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At the debut Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix, music and entertainment have claimed the spotlight. As the premier motorsport venture into uncharted territory, A-list events have become an integral part of the festivities in Sin City.

Here are some of the notable highlights.

DAY TWO: TRACK CHALLENGES, YET THE MUSIC PERSISTS

On Thursday, within a Sinatra-themed restaurant nestled in the Encore casino’s lobby, Colombian reggaetonero J Balvin made a striking entrance, dressed in all-black leather.

Balvin had graced the Las Vegas Grand Prix’s opening ceremony the day before, being the only artist to perform a non-English song, his Usher-sampling “Dientes.” He’s set to close the race weekend with an extended performance on Saturday, marking him as the sole musician to take the stage twice during this inaugural Formula One race. It’s a fitting choice in many respects: Formula One is a global sport, Balvin is a global artist, and the integration of music with the sport is increasingly evident.

He expressed his connection to motorsport, saying, “No matter where you’re from, your language, people just love it, you know? It’s really cohesive—my vision and Formula One.”

On the business side, Balvin noted the exposure artists gain from performing at F1 events. He added, “Other factors are at play, but personally, I love fast cars.”

This sentiment resonates with what will.i.am shared ahead of the opening ceremony: “Every producer, every DJ wants to play F1. Why? Because of the significant income they generate,” he stated. “Every prominent band aspires to headline at F1.”

Las Vegas hosts the most expensive F1 race of the 2023 season, and the financial impact is evident.

During the night, numerous concerts coincided with what was supposed to be the first two Formula One practice sessions. A loose water valve cover caused the cancellation of the first session, while the second was delayed for two and a half hours due to track repairs. Dedicated fans were relocated from viewing areas before the 90-minute session concluded at 4 a.m. local time, the deadline for returning the roads to Las Vegas commuters.

However, for a significant portion of Vegas tourists, it appeared as though nothing was amiss. Jack Harlow delivered a condensed and delightful performance at a private SiriusXM + Pandora Concert at The Cosmopolitan. (Liberty Media, which owns Formula One, is also the majority owner of SiriusXM.) The Chainsmokers graced the stage at the Wynn, a luxury club and casino that is a founding partner of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Travis Scott took the stage at Zouk Nightclub in Resorts World Las Vegas, another partner in this particular race.

For music enthusiasts, it was a remarkable night of star-studded performances. However, for racing enthusiasts, it might not have been as satisfying.

DAY ONE: A MICRO ‘OLYMPICS’-INSPIRED OPENING CEREMONY

On Wednesday night, as rain fell in the Las Vegas desert, Thirty Seconds to Mars made a grand entrance atop a colossal LED platform specially constructed on the Formula One racetrack, which, in just over 24 hours, would host the first-ever F1 practice session.

For the inaugural Vegas race weekend, the Grand Prix presented an Opening Ceremony reminiscent of the star-studded event that launched the Miami race in 2022. Jared Leto and his brother Shannon Leto donned matching racing suits and performed a medley of their hits, including 2005’s “The Kill” and 2023’s “Stuck.”

The ceremony featured abbreviated performances by a lineup that included Keith Urban, Andra Day (with a captivating rendition of the Beatles’ “Come Together”), Kylie Minogue’s summertime hit “Padam Padam,” Bishop Briggs, Journey, Steve Aoki, J Balvin, and will.i.am. Each musician appeared on their own LED platform.

Tiësto and John Legend delivered a joint performance from the exclusive Paddock Club’s roof, where top-tier tickets came with a hefty price tag of up to $40,000. Grandstand tickets ranged from $100 to $200.

This event exemplifies Formula One’s growing influence on the music industry and vice versa.

Keith Urban, reflecting on the performance, remarked, “Anyone who hasn’t attended an event like this can’t fathom the level of grandeur.” He added, “It’s much closer to an Olympics opening ceremony than anything I’ve ever seen.”

For his set, Keith Urban chose to perform “Somewhere in My Car,” a clever nod to the automotive theme and a promotion for his ongoing Las Vegas residency.

The eclectic lineup reflects a shift in the F1 audience, which has gained popularity among young Americans in recent years. The inclusion of Grammy- and Oscar-winning artist Andra Day is a delightful surprise amidst a roster of dedicated artists who frequently grace these events, including Tiësto, Steve Aoki, and F1 Global Artist in Residence will.i.am.

Andra Day shared her excitement about the global appeal of the sport, saying, “The Formula One world is new to me. There’s such a variety of people from all over.”

She added, “At the same time, it is nostalgic for me. It reminds me of being a young girl and how cars can bring people together, just like music.”

For EDM DJ and Las Vegas resident Steve Aoki, the F1 Opening Ceremony exemplifies the city’s growing allure. He stated, “I think of Las Vegas as the entertainment capital of the world. And to be the entertainment capital of the world, you have to have it all.”

He also emphasized the shared energy between F1 and live music. “People love F1 because of the sound and the energy. People want that adrenaline and excitement—there is that synergy. And I think a lot of drivers are really big music fans as well,” he noted.

However, a musical collaboration between Steve Aoki and Mercedes Driver Lewis Hamilton is not on the horizon; it was more of a friendly encounter.

As the week progresses, amid the musical performances by elite talents, a race awaits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix

More about Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix

• Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix Official Website
• J Balvin – Official Website
• Jack Harlow – Official Website
• The Chainsmokers – Official Website
• Travis Scott – Official Website
• Keith Urban – Official Website
• Andra Day – Official Website
• Kylie Minogue – Official Website
• Steve Aoki – Official Website
• Tiësto – Official Website
• John Legend – Official Website
• Thirty Seconds to Mars – Official Website