By far one of the most anticipated albums of the last 20 years is the one Bruno Mars has been working on since early 2023. But while you’re waiting for that sure-to-be masterpiece to hit Spotify, you can catch the man himself in action this week in Las Vegas; he’s made it a tradition to perform in Vegas nearly every final evening of the year since 2013, and it’s a party you do not want to miss.
Equal parts old Vegas and new, Mars’ shows are an event featuring all his most-beloved tunes, and this year audiences are most practically guaranteed the addition of two new ones: “Die With a Smile,” a Mars collaboration with Lady Gaga which, earlier this year, became his first No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200; and “Apt,” a collaboration with Rosé that became his second on that chart.
If Mars is not exactly prolific in the new albums department, he’s more than making up for it with touring (visiting Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore and Brazil this year alone) and involvement in other forms of media (with a Disney deal to star in and produce a music-themed film, and the video game Fortnite recently adding Bruno Mars-themed upgrades to its Items Shop). On the Las Vegas front, this year saw the opening of The Pinky Ring by Bruno Mars, a cocktail lounge and jazz bar at Bellagio that fans will want to pay attention to during Mars’ shows, as after-parties there featuring the man himself are almost a given.
Mars is also enjoying his stature as one of the few musical artists to have their own limited-edition Stratocaster, joining Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Nile Rogers as luminaries with an Artist Signature Series designed in their honor by the Fender Musical Instrument Company. (Stratocasters have long been his weapon of choice.)
Mars creates music when the muse hits him and doesn’t seem to publicly express consternation about maintaining a constant presence on the charts. He’s been staying limber as a performer by maintaining a constant presence on the concert stage, which is all that should matter to the audience with whom he rings in the new year.
Park MGM, 9 p.m. Dec. 27 and 30-31, starting at $99 plus tax and fee. ticketmaster.com
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