With more than a half a billion streams over his 15-year recording career, Maoli stands very tall in his very specific genre—island reggae blended with country soul. And he’s going to absolutely rock Vegas this week with a performance that promises a wide-ranging setlist.
The native of upcountry Maui in Hawaii just released his ninth studio album in June, and it couldn’t be more appropriately titled for his upcoming show: Last Sip of Summer—also the name of his current tour, which wraps up this month with dates in Albuquerque, N.M., Tucson, Ariz., Mesa, Ariz., Las Vegas and, finally, Papeete, French Polynesia! It’s a perfect representation of the fan base Maoli appeals to.
Once you hear his music, it’s not hard to understand the appeal. You’ll hear influences ranging from steel guitar greats to country legends like Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and George Strait, sprinkled with reggae. His covers include Brett Young’s “Mercy” (with 18-million-plus streams on Spotify) and “In Case You Didn’t Know” (10-million-plus Spotify listens).
His stage presence is simply magnetic—he radiates a joy that’s infectious. By the end of the night, don’t be surprised if you find yourself feeling like a member of his family. Because his music is all about the connection between cultures, and he’s an absolute master at that.
T-Mobile Arena, 8 p.m. Aug. 9, starting at $59 plus tax and fee. axs.com
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