Steve Aoki made a baseball reference a few weeks ago, commenting on the red carpet of the American Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena. “I always like to throw curveballs, you know,” he said. “I always like to try something different.”
In hockey parlance, the 48-year-old EDM superstar is firing a slap shot to get Golden Knights fans fired up for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. The superstar DJ and powerhouse nightclub headliner is playing a free concert at Toshiba Plaza at T-Mobile Arena Sunday.
Aoki’s participation might add some good fortune to the Golden Knights’ Cup hopes. He also headlined the pregame concert at Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 12, 2023, in which the Golden Knights won the Cup over the Florida Panthers.
Aoki also played a memorable event in Raiders history. He headlined the first halftime show for a Raiders regular-season game at Allegiant Stadium, on Sept. 13, 2021. The Raiders beat the Ravens 33-27.
Aoki’s performance Sunday is at 3 p.m. The plaza opens at 2 p.m. Doors to T-Mobile Arena open at 3:45 p.m. As has been the case in every Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final game, non-ticketed fans can watch the action from the plaza. No outside food or drink is allowed but water stations will be set up. (Toshiba Plaza protocols are the same as T-Mobile Arena.)
Aoki is to make his highly anticipated debut at Tao Group Hospitality’s Omnia Dayclub at Caesars Palace on June 28.
On the topic of club activity …
XS Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas is about a month into its renovation effort, and is set to relaunch on July 31. Artists are performing in the club’s outdoor space, which is why we still see listings at XS for The Chainsmokers (who headlined this weekend), Gryffin (booked Friday) and Hugel (on stage Saturday). This platform is not Encore Beach Club at Night, which is separate programming.
Club officials say several employees have opted to transfer to “other venues,” and moving forward can apply for current open positions at the resort, including EBC at Night.
A consistent, trend-setting nightspot, the 40,000-square-foot XS Nightclub opened New Year’s Eve 2008. Kaskade, Nelly, Deadmau5 and Diplo with special guest Charly Jordan are among the headliners leading into the July 31 relaunch.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykatson X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.