For Kelly Clarkson fans, it’s felt like an eternity since the superstar last performed in Las Vegas as part of her Studio Sessions residency. But she’s finally back to continue a run that cements her status as one of the premier Vegas performers of the current era.
Clarkson last performed on the Strip in November, delivering an intimate production despite the enormity of the performance venue, The Colosseum. Studio Sessions re-creates the feel of a recording studio, an environment from which Clarkson has delivered a massive number of fan-favorite singles, including “Walk Away,” “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” “Because of You,” “Stronger,” “My Life Would Suck Without You,” “A Moment Like This” and so many more. Supporting Clarkson are more than 20 musicians who both ably back up her powerhouse vocals and mill about on the stage (much as they would during breaks in a recording session).
The personal connection is only enhanced by Clarkson’s personal asides to the audience. This is no mere setlist; Clarkson injects plenty of her life into this production, and fans who think they know all there is to know about the icon are bound to leave this show feeling genuinely surprised.
And while Clarkson announced recently that her Kelly Clarkson Show will be airing its final season, some of the highlights of that show will be present and accounted for during Studio Sessions, particularly Kellyoke, where Clarkson shows her ability to perform other performers’ iconic songs. When the show premiered last year, audience members were treated to “I Will Always Love You” (spoiler alert: It killed!), while another performance featured “Come Together.” That’s a huge part of this production’s appeal: It feels very loose and free-flowing, with Clarkson able to pull off whatever strikes her fancy that night. To call her versatile is understating the case considerably.
Group this with Clarkson’s earlier Vegas residency, Chemistry … An Intimate Night with Kelly Clarkson at Planet Hollywood back in 2023-’24 and it’s hard to dispute that Clarkson is one of the new queens of the Strip. She was already a towering figure in the music business, selling more than 25 million albums and 40 million singles worldwide since winning American Idol at just 20 years old in 2002.
Where she goes after finishing up Studio Sessions is still to be determined. She has cited wanting to spend more time with her children as a reason for ending her talk show, and that may well extend into her live performance schedule as well, so these next shows will no doubt have an added element of emotion and resonance. But Clarkson has long been an essential part of the music scene, and while she may be taking a break, her impact and legacy—not to mention her candor with her audience about all the heartbreak, growth and joy behind her songs—will ensure that fans will be there when she makes her next move.
Caesars Palace. 8 p.m. July 17-18, 24-25, 31, Aug. 1, prices vary. ticketmaster.com
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