The iHeartRadio Music Festival booked Justin Timberlake, Fleetwood Mac and Jack White at the top of the bill for its 2018 edition, continuing the seventh annual live event’s tradition of showcasing established artists alongside rising talent. Mariah Carey, Imagine Dragons and Carrie Underwood round out this year’s superstar selection of acts, while Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan represent the more down-home side of the industry. Childish Gambino, red hot in the wake of the success of “This Is America,” is set to appear as well, as is Panic! at the Disco, sharp after a successful summer tour.
Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes may be the hottest rising talent on the bill. Mendes won Best New Artist or Group, Artist of the Year and Fan Fave Artist at last month’s iHeartRADIO MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, and his self-titled latest album peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart in June. Rap prodigy Logic, who along with Alessia Cara and Khalid won Video of the Year honors for “1-800-273-8255” at the 2018 MMVAs, tops off the bill at the Daytime Village stage, which also includes Lil Uzi Vert, Dustin Lynch, Belly, Greta Van Fleet and Bad Bunny.
Kelly Clarkson, who performed at the inaugural festival, is back this year alongside Sam Smith, Rae Sremmurd and Kygo. 5 Seconds of Summer, who performed at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival, returns to play the daytime stage this year. There’s no telling what surprises are in store, but with a history that includes P!nk joining No Doubt for “Just A Girl” and Prince appearing with Mary J. Blige, audiences should expect the unexpected. Timberlake surely has something up his sleeve, and it would be an appropriate occasion for Lindsey Buckingham to reunite with Fleetwood Mac.
T-Mobile Arena, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 21-22, starting at $86.75 plus tax and fee. 888.929.7849 AXS; Daytime Village, Las Vegas Festival Grounds, 11 a.m. Sept. 22, starting at $29 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
