The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is known for bringing in legendary rockers and today’s hottest acts. After months of anticipation, Los Angeles-based rockers Lifehouse with special guests “American Idol” season eight winner Kris Allen and singer / songwriter Alyssa Bernal took the venue by storm on Friday, Nov. 19. Lifehouse was touring in support of their fifth studio album Smoke & Mirrors, which debuted at number six on the Billboard Top 200 chart, their highest chart debut of their 10 year career.
Fans began flooding Hard Rock Hotel & Casino early in the day in hopes of getting a front row spot to see their favorite band. New artist Alyssa Bernal kicked things off at 8 p.m. and serenaded the crowd with her smooth pop vocals with her latest single “Cali, Cali, Cali.”
At 8:45 p.m. it was Kris Allen’s turn to rock the stage. It was his second time at the legendary concert venue; he performed with country star Keith Urban in April 2010. Allen felt at home at The Joint and he let the crowd know it, encouraging them to dance, sing and clap along to his hits “Live Like We’re Dying” and “Alright With Me.”
Earlier in the day, Allen took time out of his busy schedule for a special private event at Coronado High School. His performance served as the grand prize for the high school making the most donations to Mix 94.1’s 12th Annual Four Corners Food Drive, which benefited the City Mission of Las Vegas.
Shortly before 10 p.m., the lights dimmed and the crowd began to chant for the show’s headliner. “Lifehouse! Lifehouse! Lifehouse!” could be heard in the hallway leading to The Joint and throughout the casino. Minutes later, the audience began to applaud and cheer as lead singer Jason Wade, drummer Rick Woolstenhulme Jr., bassist Bryce Soderberg and guitarist Ben Carey took the stage. Singing hits such as “Hanging by a Moment,” “Halfway Gone,” “You and Me,” “Here Tomorrow Gone Today” and more, Lifehouse kept the audience captivated for over 90 minutes. With the band’s high energy and soulful lyrics, there is no doubt why their combined album sales are over five million and singles have sold over three million copies.
-Lindsey Rathjen