A Residency Boom: What It Means for the Las Vegas Economy

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JECNYC

4 min readNov 16, 2023

The popularity of concert residencies at various Las Vegas resorts has resulted in a boom to the local economy. People from all over the United States and the world travel to see their favorite performers sing and dance while spending money on transportation, hotels, food, beverage, and concert tickets. Additionally, many splurge on merchandise, experiences, and other forms of entertainment.

What is a concert residency?

A concert residency is defined as “extended runs by artists in a limited number of cities and venues”, according to The New York Times. Performers benefit from organizing multiple dates in one location as they avoid the rigors of travel on the road. In Las Vegas, traditional residencies were composed of “older” performers who had large, loyal fan bases but were not currently making new hits. NPR notes that at 1,730 shows, Donny and Marie Osmond have the longest Las Vegas residency performance record. Additionally, Elvis Presley had a 636 show residency at the International Hotel (now the Westgate Las Vegas) from 1969–1976. According to msn.com, some examples of other popular residencies include Barry Manilow (“Copacabana”) who started his residency at the Westgate Las Vegas in 2005 and will play throughout 2024 as well as Wayne Newton (“Danke Schoen”) who began at the Flamingo in 1963 and will end in mid-2024. Interestingly, Donny Osmond continues to perform as he started in August 2021 at Harrah’s Showroom and intends to end in mid-2024. Some of these performers have extended their residencies due to high demand.

Figure 1: Pink concert (image by Arden Duca)

The birth of the new “contemporary” Las Vegas residency

In 2003, Canadian superstar Celine Dion started a Las Vegas residency that resulted in approximately $660 million in ticket sales from over 1,100 performances.

Some would credit Britney Spears for reviving the tired Las Vegas residency space a bit later with her “Britney: Piece of Me” performances in 2013 through 2017 at the Axis Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Forbes estimates the residency streak amounted in $137.7 million in ticket sales with over 900,000 tickets sold.

Katie Perry had an 80 show residency called “Katie Perry: PLAY” at the Resorts World Theater stage at the Resorts World Theater from December 2021 until November 4, 2023. Broadway World notes fans were impressed by her performance of 20 musical numbers “featuring imaginative sets and 11 larger- than-life props paired with intricate production”.

Lady Gaga performed her “Enigma + Jazz & Piano” show at the Park MGM which resulted in $78 million in box office earnings from December 28, 2018 until May 1, 2022, as reported by thestreet.com. She returned to perform 12 additional shows in Las Vegas from August 31, 2023 until October 5, 2023, and expressed her desire to return, stating “We’re gonna make a contract. Everybody on this stage will be here forever”.

Adele recently extended her “Weekends with Adele” residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace that started on November 18, 2022 into June 2024. According to MSN, “U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at the Sphere” started on September 29, 2023 at the Venetian Resort but was extended through February 2024. The impressive technologically advanced show with the boys from Dublin is held in a $2.3 billion immersive space that boasts the largest spherical structure in the world.

Usher’s “My Way — The Las Vegas Residency” which debuted in July 2022 at Park MGM ends in December 2023. However, 1980s R&B favorites New Edition began their limited residency at Wynn Resorts’ WYNN Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas in February 2024.

The bottom line

Not all performers can flawlessly execute a residency by selling thousands of tickets on a nightly basis and bringing in the crowds. However, artists who are big crowd pleasers can reap the financial rewards of their dedicated fans and help the local economy in the process.

Country superstars are also getting into the Las Vegas residency action. Billboard reports that such hit-makers as Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, and Shania Twain all have Las Vegas dates lined up through 2024.

Also, Australian sensation Kylie Minogue began her first Las Vegas residency at the nightclub Voltaire in the Venetian Resort on November 3 which is expected to run through May 4, 2024. Even Pink recently teased of her desire to have a Las Vegas residency.

Residencies are here to stay whether in Las Vegas or other major cities. iHeartRadio Music Awards even included a “Favorite Residency” category for 2023 which noted the following artists:

“Love On Tour” — Harry Styles (WINNER)

“An Evening with Silk Sonic” — Silk Sonic

“Enigma + Jazz & Piano” — Lady Gaga

“Let’s Go!” — Shania Twain

“Love In Las Vegas”- John Legend

“Play”- Katy Perry

“Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency” — Carrie Underwood

“Usher: My Way — The Las Vegas Residency” — Usher

“Weekends with Adele” — Adele

Figure 2: Billboard.com

Sources:

From Harry Styles to BTS, Pop’s Biggest Stars Are Looking to Residencies — The New York Times (nytimes.com)