Rock
in Rio, the world’s biggest music festival, has joined forces with
entertainment giants MGM Resorts International, Cirque du Soleil and Ron Burkle
(The Yucaipa Companies) for the festival’s U.S. debut in Las Vegas in May 2015.
An alliance founded on a shared commitment to creating innovative
entertainment, Rock in Rio, MGM Resorts and Cirque du Soleil will redefine the
modern music festival for U.S. audiences with a monumental combination of the
biggest names in music and a fully immersive entertainment experience, all
housed in a spectacular, custom-made “City of Rock.”
Over
the past 30 years, Rock in Rio festivals have brought more than 1,120 performances
to 1 billion fans worldwide, and that number will grow next month at Rock in
Rio Lisbon (Portugal) where The Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake, Lorde,
Arcade Fire and Ed Sheeran, among others, are scheduled to perform.
“We
are thrilled to welcome MGM Resorts, Cirque du Soleil and Ron Burkle as part of
the Rock in Rio USA family,” said Roberto Medina, founder, Rock in Rio. “It’s a
testament to the festival’s 30-year history and outstanding reputation to have
these entertainment giants on board and, with added power from the partners,
our first Rock in Rio USA will be unlike any festival anyone has ever
experienced – on the biggest stage in the world in the heart of Las Vegas.”
Building
the City of Rock in Las Vegas
As
the premier entertainment company in the world, MGM Resorts’ expertise in
developing world-class infrastructure will lay the groundwork to transform 33
acres of prime Las Vegas real estate into the magical City of Rock. The
permanent open-air concert venue will be located on The Strip near the corner
of Sahara Avenue and have the capacity for 80,000 people per day. The design
and layout will be signature Rock in Rio, complete with five stages; themed
streets boasting the sights, sounds, and foods of Brazil, the U.S. and the
United Kingdom; thrilling rides including a zip line; food courts, shopping
areas and other activities. After the festival, the incredible venue will
remain for MGM Resorts to host other entertainment experiences for people from
around the world.
Bill
Hornbuckle, president of MGM Resorts International, said, “The entertainment
scene has changed dramatically in recent years, as has the way consumers want
to experience their entertainment. With our innovative new partners at Rock in
Rio and the creative geniuses at Cirque du Soleil, we will introduce Las Vegas
to an unprecedented music festival in a setting that will never be replicated.”
Hornbuckle continued, “The event will serve as a major tourism driver for Las
Vegas, expected to draw well over 300,000 people to our city over the four days
of the concert."
Transforming
the Festival Experience
Having
hosted resident shows in Las Vegas for more than 20 years, Cirque du Soleil
will bring deep knowledge of the market and consumer behavior to the Rock in
Rio partnership. This commitment to creating a close and emotional relationship
with the public is part of what sets Rock in Rio apart from other music
festivals and helps make it the world’s biggest music and entertainment event.
Jerry
Nadal, senior vice president, Resident Shows Division, Cirque du Soleil, added,
“As a creative live entertainment producer, Cirque du Soleil is uniquely suited
to help bring an unforgettable mix of wonder, enjoyment and artistic excellence
to Las Vegas with the first-ever Rock in Rio USA experience. Rock in Rio
already is a cultural phenomenon around the globe, and we are excited to be
part of the festival’s U.S. introduction.”
Rock
in Rio, MGM Resorts and Cirque du Soleil plan to offer hospitality packages for
tourists that will guarantee festival-goers an unforgettable and seamless
experience not only at Rock in Rio USA but throughout their stay in Las Vegas.
The
countdown to Rock in Rio USA also is supported by media partners iHeartRadio
and NCM Network. Together, a robust advertising and communications campaign
will bring news and announcements to consumers nationwide over the next 12
months.
Tickets
for Rock in Rio USA will go on sale to the general public in January 2015, but
they can currently be reserved, for a limited period of time – without any
payment obligation – on the festival’s official website. For more information,
visit www.RockinRio.com. Get the latest updates via Rock in Rio’s Facebook page
Facebook.com/RockInRioUSA and Twitter feed Twitter.com/rockinriousa.
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