While the music industry saw quite a bit of innovation and productivity during the challenging times of 2020 and 2021, the radio industry faced undeniable challenges as the number of drivers on American roads declined and listenership slowly climbed back to stability. Advertising budgets were cut and layoffs were common, but demand remained steady and is rising again as more musical content recharges radio stations across the country.
That surge is one reason all eyes will be on Las Vegas—specifically T-Mobile Arena and the versatile Area15 venue—this week when the iHeartRadio Music Festival returns on Sept. 17-18. The festival is one of the marquee events for the broadcast, podcast and streaming radio platform owned by New York-based iHeartMedia. And just as it did before the pandemic, this two-day concert will feature the biggest names in pop, rock, country, hip-hop, alternative and every other musical genre you can imagine, finally coming together to perform live for the first time in a long time.
By itself, the first-day lineup is an impressive roster of legends and stars. Taking the stage at T-Mobile on Sept. 17 will be power-pop favorites Cheap Trick, English dance diva Dua Lipa, country duo Florida Georgia Line, influential rapper J. Cole, L.A. pop rock outfit Maroon 5, Southern hip-hop hitmaker Nelly, and resilient alt-rock band Weezer. Singer-songwriter Finneas, sibling of second-day star Billie Eilish, is scheduled for a special guest performance.
For the first time, the iHeart daytime stage will take up residency at Area15 just west of the Strip, and once again serve as a showcase for the fastest-rising stars in pop music. “Driver’s License” chart-buster Olivia Rodrigo could shine brightest on Sept. 18 during this day-long session, but performances will also come from Justin Bieber collaborator The Kid Laroi, hip-hop star and one-time Daylight Beach Club resident artist Saweetie, Maryland rock band All Time Low, English singer Yungblud, social media darling and singer Addison Rae and many more up-and-comers.
That night, it’s time to go back to T-Mobile for sets from Georgia country-pop performer Sam Hunt, hit-making rapper Lil Baby, R&B superstar Khalid, classic rockers Journey (which return for a new residency show at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in December), British arena rockers Coldplay, and the inimitable Eilish, a new-age pop star who’s also headlining the Life is Beautiful festival in downtown Las Vegas the very same weekend (see page 11).
This is a collection of artists that could only reunite at this unique, only-in-Vegas musical spectacular, a weekend that will go down as one of the biggest events of 2021.
Sept. 17-18, T-Mobile Arena and Area15, iheart.com
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