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Some gigs are performances. Others are portals to another era. On August 1, Lenny Kravitz transformed the Dolby Live theater at Park MGM into the latter, kicking off the second leg of his Blue Electric Light tour with the electric intensity that only over three decades of rock mastery can deliver. This opening night crackled with the same magnetic energy that has defined Kravitz's audibly and visually seductive live performances.
The crowd was a cross-generational kaleidoscope, from 20-somethings vibing with Kravitz’s iconic “Fly Away” anthem, to seasoned fans who’ve been on this ride since his 1989 debut Let Love Rule. What brought them together wasn’t just the music, it was the undeniable magnetism of a man who, at 61, hasn’t lost an ounce of the raw charisma that launched him into rock and roll immortality.
As the house lights dimmed, Kravitz emerged, undeniably cool as hell in oversized sunglasses, leather pants, a fishnet shirt and a leather vest that screamed voodoo chic. His backing band followed suit with their witchy rocker attire. They wasted no time breaking into “Bring It On,” a straightforward rock jam with a very necessary guitar solo that enticed everyone to get out from their seats. And Kravitz, the man of the hour, moved across the stage like someone who’s never met an ounce of awkwardness. He swung his dreaded head, thrust his hips, and made every corner of the venue feel like a personal connection.
The set list was a mash-up of Kravitz’s greatest hits—"Are You Gonna Go My Way," "American Woman," "It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over," and of course, "Fly Away." But it wasn’t just the crowd’s collective nostalgia that brought the night together; it was also the freshness of his newer work. Tracks like “TK421,” with an extended bass solo that brought the crowd to a collective fever pitch, and “Paralyzed,” with its moody, electric intensity, proved that Kravitz’s fire has only been stoked by time. The new material from Blue Electric Light feels like a natural extension of everything he’s done before, layering a dark, futuristic edge on top of his expertly shifting sound.
Timed pyrotechnics and strobe lights punctuated every riff, while the artistic backdrop videos provided a psychedelic visual experience that matched the current track. The stagehands stealthy handed off instruments to the self-taught musician as he moved from playing the bass, electric guitar, his six-string acoustic guitar and the piano.
As the show neared its close, Kravitz took the time to introduce his band, give words of thanks for another day of life and, “to be back here with you for our second engagement.”
What followed was a thunderous encore. Kravitz returned to the stage with a seemingly endless rendition of “Let Love Rule,” a throwback cut that had defined his early career. As the audience sang along, the frontman wandered through the theater, touching hands, exchanging hugs and basking in the love that has sustained him over the years. When the final notes came to a climax, confetti filled the air like snow as Kravitz disappeared into the wings as we queued up to exit the venue still humming the chorus to ourselves.
LENNY KRAVITZ August 6, 8 & 9, 7 p.m., $53-$345+. Dolby Live, ticketmaster.com.
English (US) ·