While certain venues across the country ring synonymous with their large stage and gigantic legendary performances that have become the backdrop for famous concert films. Madison Square Garden, The Forum, Red Rocks and many other legendary venues have served as the place to play.
However, for those looking for an all in one purpose night out of dining, games, lodging and music, casinos have served as a niche of their own. The Hard Rock in Tulsa, The Borgata in Atlantic City, Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, AZ, and The Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula CA have all attracted top names in rock, comedy, dance, Latin and country. The casino is indeed a valuable venue space for all types of touring acts.
The Event Center at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City with a capacity of 2400 can attract the biggest names from Aerosmith, Stevie Wonder, Cher and Sting- all of whom have played the big stage there in recent years. This intimate venue is one of a few in the country where you can see arena level acts in the small theater/club size confines. Walk outside the concert and there is a whole other realm of possibilities and entertainment options.
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino outside of Tulsa, OK in Catoosa has recently served as a true hard rock destination as its name calls out. Bands that live with the six-string, thunderous bass drums and boisterous lead singers, make the rounds to Tulsa often. The Joint venue there has served the likes of ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Billy Idol, Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd in recent years. The 2700 capacity venue brings arena-size acts to a smaller casino-sized venue.
The Talking Stick Resort and Casino in Scottsdale, AZ outside of Phoenix uses its year-round warm weather to its advantage with its Pool at Talking Stick concert series. Electronic dance music artists from the likes of Steve Aoki, Kaskade, Galantis have brought big party scenes to the largest casino in the Grand Canyon state. Meanwhile, rock artists from Alice in Chains, Journey, Steve Miller and 311 have packed the outdoors venue too. And when it’s too hot outside there are two indoor venues that keep the music going.
The Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California serves as a hot spot for those that don’t want to travel to Vegas from the Los Angeles area. With 1200 seats, this desert spot showcases more upscale acts that typically grace the most elaborate venus in Vegas. Steely Dan, Earth Wind & Fire, Tony Bennett, and the late Kenny Rogers have all performed at Pechanga in recent years.
The Tulalip Resort Casino just north of Seattle provides a realm of entertainment possibilities in the Pacific Northwest. This venue serves as an intimate outdoor amphitheatre featuring national acts with a 3,000 seating capacity. If classic rock is your thing then this might be your go-to venue, The Doobie Brothers, Styx, Foreigner and REO Speedwagon have all played the stage here regularly.
