The way we listen to music was changing in 2011 when the inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival debuted at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Streaming was coming to the fore in broadcasting, and iHeartRadio had positioned itself as one of several major platforms. A music festival celebrating the diversity of radio programming with artists representing the gamut of genres was a natural outgrowth of iHeartRadio’s all-in-one streaming app.
Jay-Z and Lady Gaga headlined the inaugural two-day event in 2011, which sold out in 10 minutes. Kenny Chesney, Kelly Clarkson, Bruno Mars, Jane’s Addiction and Carrie Underwood appeared in short sets with five-minute breaks in between. Steven Tyler joined Jeff Beck for a cover of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me.” Alicia Keys stepped onstage for Jay-Z’s set for “Empire State of Mind.” Sting duetted with Gaga on “King of Pain” and “Stand By Me.”
Clarkson was back for the 2023 festival, playing T-Mobile Arena on a bill with Foo Fighters, Lenny Kravitz, Public Enemy and Sheryl Crow. Memorable moments came in the form of T-Boz and Chilli paying homage to their late TLC member Lisa Lopes, and Tim McGraw electrifying the crowd with set opener “How Bad Do You Want It” When it comes to iHeartRadio Music Festivals, pretty badly, now and into the future.
Hall of Fame honorees from 2020
Hall of Fame honorees from 2021
Hall of Fame honorees from 2022
Hall of Fame honorees from 2023
Hall of Fame honorees from 2024
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