There was a time when the Blue Man Group pounding on PVC pipe at 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. South was common. But it was a momentous moment Saturday night.
Blue Men returned to what was once Monte Carlo, today Park MGM, near the very spot they headlined for three years ending in 2015. Having not aged a day, the trio joined 311 for an encore performance of “Do You Right” and “Don’t Stay Home.”
The band rolled out the custom, percussive instruments used in BMG’s show at Luxor. Towering plastic-pipe contraptions, which the guys swatted with paddles. The Big Drum, which is (check notes) a very big drum, also joined the party.
The appearance was a highlight of “311 Weekend” at the hotel. The rock-rap-reggae-funk band played on Sunday, without the blue men. Nick Hexum, Aaron “P-Nut” Wills, Chad Sexton, Tim Mahoney and Doug “SA” Martinez are the current roster.
This was the first time we’d seen the band, impressive for its virtuosity and versatility. Fans danced and — in the GA area — performed some credible moshing to such favorites as “Transistor,” “Wildfire,” “Brodels,” “You’re Gonna Get It,” “Friday Afternoon,” “Time Bomb,” “Sweet,” “Nutsymtom,” “Sunset in July,” “Gap,” and “Purpose.” For the first time in 20 years, the band performed “This Too Shall Pass.”
Hexum and his sister, Angie, performed a bluegrass set with the band Water Tower during intermission. The highlight was a nostalgia-dripping “1978.” A great change of pace from a band that disregards boundaries.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.