Hard Rock in Atlantic City, NJ, celebrated its grand opening last week with concerts by Carrie Underwoodand Pitbull and a traditional guitar-smashing exercise led by Black Panther actor Michael B. Jordan.
Country star Underwood was the first musician to officially open the 7,000-seat Hard Rock Live with a concert Friday (June 29) at the Mark Etess Arena. Her voice was particularly impressive when she sang “So Small” and “Wasted».
Underwood told the audience how her bags were lost en route to Atlantic City. “Of course it was the wardrobe bags that did not make it, all the bags with dirty clothes made it,” she quipped. “My wonderful wardrobe stylist that goes on tour with me was out scootering the city yesterday finding things for me to wear for today. So what I am wearing this lovely evening can be found in all the retailers, these shoes were $15.»
She performed with her band for one hour and forty-five minutes, delivering such hit songs as “Jesus Take The Wheel” and “All-American Girl”.
Also on Friday, DJ Tiesto headlined a packed Daer Nightclub, and Ludacris got on the mic the following night.
On Saturday, Pitbull brought some Latin favor with an energetic concert at Mark Etess Arena that had everyone on their feet dancing to “Timber”, “Times of Our Lives”, “Feel the Moment” and “Don’t Stop the Party”.
The Miami-born artist was dressed in a white tuxedo, black pants and black shirt, with his six female dancers changing their wardrobe a couple of times. At the close, cannons filled the arena with white confetti.
Hard Rock’s CEO Jim Allen said the venue already has 300 acts booked, included Maroon 5, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Florida Georgia Line and Toby Keith.
The hotel, renovated at a reported cost of $500 million, features some impressive musical memorabilia.
Michael Jackson’s white Swarovski crystal glove is displayed next to Elvis Presley’s1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V. Also, Pink and Lil’ Kim’s steamy “Lady Marmalade” music video outfits are on display; Prince’s Versace shirt from his personal collection is on view, as are John Lennon’s suits and handwritten lyrics to «Imagine».
This article was originally published by: Billboard
