Did a DJ do what Tiësto did in Las Vegas? The Dutch dance music icon has been a fixture on the Strip for more than 15 years, running clubs and parties at the Wynn, the Hard Rock Hotel and the MGM Grand, and has become one of the all-time draws in the city’s nightlife. There’s even a show in the Fountains of Bellagio choreographed to his music.
“As a kid, it was always my dream to play Las Vegas. The lights of Las Vegas have always attracted me and it was just a special place for me, ”the 52-year-old DJ and producer tells the Weekly. “When I started playing here I told my promoters that my goal was to have a residence in Las Vegas and have my name like David Copperfield on the building. They said, ‘Yeah, that will never happen.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, you’re right, that will never happen.’ “
But it happened. Tiësto’s name and picture were stuck on the MGM Grand – on the other side of the hotel tower where Copperfield’s show was shown – for years while he was filming in Hakkasan. That year he made the leap to the Strip’s newest mega-resort, Resorts World, and took part in a huge advertising campaign with the property’s other stars, including Celine Dion and Katy Perry.
He’s remained one of the biggest names in the clubs that reopened this year, and now Tiësto is back to play as the only DJ to appear at EDC’s Comeback Festival (Saturday night at Kinetic Field stage at midnight) is 10 Las Vegas issues.
“It’s been a really great trip, and now Vegas is definitely a huge part of my life,” he says. “It’s like my second home. I can no longer imagine a life without Las Vegas. “
You have played in so many major clubs in Las Vegas and this year you helped open Resorts World and opened Ayu Dayclub and Zouk Nightclub. Where is this on your Vegas experience list? It was really cool. As much as I’ve loved working at Hakkasan and MGM for so many years, it felt like it was time for a new challenge and this was a really good opportunity. I’ve known the guys from the Zouk Group for years and have often played in a club in Singapore. You showed me all the plans [for Vegas], and I knew I wanted to be there.
What was it like to be the first artist to appear at Zouk Nightclub last month? It was amazing, but my opening nights at both clubs were amazing. And it was very busy too. It seems like Vegas is overcrowded despite the pandemic; it was a great summer for all of us. And Zouk, I just love it there. It’s a really cozy club with big high ceilings and an incredible production. I am very happy.
And now you are performing for the 10th time at EDC Las Vegas. I’ve done them all and it was amazing. I really love EDC – it’s definitely one of my favorite festivals in the world, with all the setup in the desert. There is something very special about it. I love to play on the main stage and the audience is always so energetic. I’m just glad they keep asking me.
Are there certain EDC sets from the past that stuck in your memory? I just can’t believe this is the 25th. Back when we were celebrating our 20th anniversary, I played all these tracks from the past and made a musical journey out of them. I loved the Avicii dedication we did in 2018. I played five or six of his songs and did this whole section for him and it was amazing to see the audience’s reaction to it. Normally everyone would go away, but then these waves of emotion went through the crowd and some people were crying. I have never experienced something like that. I couldn’t keep myself dry either, had to step out of the cabin for a moment and started crying because it was such an emotional moment.
It seems this year’s festival could also be very emotional as people have been so excited to come back after the missed year. I’ve already seen it this year when some of the first festivals reopened. People are so happy and excited and it just feels like you can get back to your life, meet other people and hug other people and just have a good time together. It’s going to be very special. That’s a big part of the reasons EDC calls audiences headlining. I always see it as a team game between me and the audience, and they’re there for that social experience as well as the music. You are not there to see me.
What does 2022 look like for you? Things are looking good. I have a couple of European dates in December and next year will be a big touring year. I think we’ve booked all year long, with festivals lining up everywhere. I’m very lucky to live here in America so I got to do a lot of shows in Vegas [this year].
Vegas has been great for me and I’m very grateful for that because I know that many of my European colleagues won’t start again until September [due to travel restrictions], and I’ve been with it since April. And I’m excited to be at Resorts World because it’s been a great experience this first year and they have a lot of plans to open another hotel there and it just keeps growing. When Europe is fully open again next year and everyone can fly to Vegas, it will be a truly incredible summer.
