With summer once again heating up Las Vegas, it’s time for outdoor concerts at the Mandalay Bay Beach, and reggae is always an ideal genre for a laid-back night out on the water. Frequent Vegas visitors Dirty Heads are bringing along fellow California reggae band Iration for an evening of chill tunes and good vibes, with music that combines influences from rock, hip-hop, punk, ska and dub in addition to its reggae backbone.
Dirty Heads continue to be one of the most popular reggae bands in America, and the group’s most recent album, 2017’s Swim Team, made it into the top 10 of Billboard’s rock and alternative album charts. Since forming in 2006, the band has collaborated with musicians ranging from Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash to rapper B-Real of Cypress Hill, and Swim Team features a guest appearance from Nick Hexum of reggae-rockers 311.
Iration started just a little earlier and a little farther north up the California coast, and released its self-titled sixth album in May, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard reggae album charts. Both bands offer the best of crossover American reggae music, creating just the right soundtrack for a hot Vegas night under the stars.
Mandalay Bay, 9 p.m. June 29, starting at $43.70 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
