Las Vegas: Rod Stewart “The Encore Shows” at the Colosseum

Rod Stewart’s Encore Shows bring a famous Las Vegas formula to life: a major star, a polished theater, and a setlist built around songs that have followed pop music for decades. You’ll hear rock, disco, new wave, swing, and classic ballads in one 90-minute performance. I especially like the mix of eras and the chance to see Rod in the intimate Colosseum Theater, rather than a giant outdoor venue.

I also like the practical shape of the evening. The show is short enough to fit around dinner or another casino attraction, and the $88 price can be fair for a headline concert in Las Vegas. The main caution is that Rod’s style is outspoken and sometimes crude, and one unhappy customer felt the backup singers carried too much of the vocal work.

Key points

• A 90-minute greatest-hits concert: Expect major songs from Rod Stewart’s long career, along with surprises, swing numbers, and less familiar selections.
• Music across several eras: The show moves from early blues-rock to disco, new wave, and later material.
• The Colosseum setting: Caesars Palace provides a purpose-built theater with state-of-the-art acoustics and a more focused room than a huge arena.
• Doors open one hour early: That gives you time to find the theater and your seat before the music begins.
• Digital tickets need checking: At least one booking arrived without a clear row and seat number, causing a delay at the door.
• Not designed for young children: Children under six are not permitted, and the adult tone may not suit every family.

Rod Stewart’s Las Vegas encore, in plain terms

This is a concert built around recognition. You are not coming for a new theatrical story or a guided look at Las Vegas. You are coming to hear Rod Stewart perform the songs that made him a household name, with enough variety to keep the evening from feeling like one long greatest-hits playlist.

The show follows his earlier 13-year residency, Rod Stewart: The Hits. That run lasted 200 performances, and the return is framed as an encore because he enjoyed the Las Vegas format enough to continue. The result is a polished production with familiar songs, surprise choices, and new stage elements.

Rod has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. Those facts matter less once the lights go down, but they explain the range of material available. His career reaches from blues-rock and folk-tinged songs to disco, new wave, swing, and polished adult pop.

You should expect a performance shaped by the character of Rod the Mod: confident, playful, stylish, and not especially restrained. His stage presence is a major part of the appeal. If you prefer a quiet, tightly controlled concert, his loose humor and adult language may test your patience.

The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

The theater is a strong match for this kind of performance. The Colosseum is known for its advanced acoustics and more intimate scale, so you are watching a seated theater concert rather than a distant stadium show. That can make a veteran performer feel closer and more present.

Your ticket includes admission to the concert. It does not include dinner, drinks, transportation, or any other Las Vegas activity, so plan those separately. Doors open one hour before the performance, which is useful in a large casino resort where finding the right entrance can take longer than expected.

I would not arrive at the last minute. One digital ticket issue caused a delay because the ticket did not show the row and seat number clearly. The venue staff helped sort it out, but the problem was nearly enough to carry into the start of the concert. Check your digital ticket in advance, and if the seating details are missing, ask the ticket provider or venue for help before you are standing at the door.

Cameras, video recording, and audio recording are not allowed. That rule is standard for a major concert, but it is worth knowing before you arrive with a large camera or plan to record a favorite song. You will need to enjoy the performance without documenting it on your phone.

What the 90-minute set is likely to cover

The advertised program centers on Rod Stewart’s biggest hits, but it also leaves room for surprises, swing songs, and deep cuts. That balance is important. A concert made only of hits can feel predictable, while a program filled with obscure material can leave casual fans waiting for the songs they know.

The opening part of the performance draws from Stewart’s earlier blues-rock period. This is the side of his career that established his rough-edged voice and restless style. You may find the early material less glossy than the later hits, but it gives the evening a useful starting point.

Songs such as Maggie May connect the concert to his early success. It is one of the numbers that makes sense for longtime fans and casual listeners alike. You do not need to know every album to recognize the emotional shape of the performance.

The set then reaches into his disco and new wave years. Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? helped make him a global star in 1978, and its inclusion represents a very different Rod from the singer of Maggie May. The contrast is part of the fun. You are hearing one artist move through changing popular styles without abandoning his distinctive voice.

Young Turks is another key selection. Its bright new wave energy gives the show a more modern, rhythmic turn than the early rock numbers. The variety helps explain why the concert can appeal to different age groups, though some listeners may prefer one period of his career over the others.

The program also includes material from his 28th studio album, Time. That gives the performance a link to his later recording career rather than treating him only as a nostalgia act. Still, the main draw remains the recognizable songs and his stage personality.

The stated running time is 90 minutes. That is long enough for a satisfying concert but shorter than many large-scale Las Vegas productions. I like this length for a night out because you can pair it with a meal, another show, or time at Caesars Palace without surrendering the entire evening.

The sound: gravel, range, and backup vocals

Rod Stewart’s voice is distinctive. Its rough, raspy quality is the sound many people came to hear, and it gives both the rock songs and slower numbers an unmistakable stamp. At the same time, a singer with such a long career may rely on strong musical support, especially in a demanding live setting.

The production includes backup singers, and that can help fill out the sound. It can also affect how the performance feels. One very negative response to the concert complained that the backup singers handled too much of the singing and that Rod’s own performance was not strong enough. You should take that concern seriously if vocal purity matters more to you than showmanship.

The more favorable response is centered on the complete event: the songs, the setting, the production, and Rod’s charisma. That is the right way to judge this concert. It is not a small club appearance built around an unamplified voice. It is a professional Las Vegas production with a celebrated frontman and a supporting cast.

You may also hear plenty of humor and blunt language between songs. One customer found Rod crude and vulgar, with too much swearing. That reaction will depend on your tolerance, but the warning is useful. This is an adult concert atmosphere, not a family matinee.

Why the music mix matters

Rod Stewart’s career gives the show more range than a standard single-genre concert. The rock material carries the grit, the disco songs bring movement, and the new wave numbers add bright pop energy. Swing selections offer another change of pace.

That variety works best for a mixed group. A couple might disagree about which era they prefer, yet each person is likely to get at least a few songs that feel personal. It also makes the performance easier for a first-time listener. You can enjoy the big choruses without having studied his full catalog.

Longtime fans will want to listen for the less obvious choices. The mention of deep cuts suggests the set is not limited to the radio staples. That can be a welcome surprise, though it also means you should not assume every minute will be a familiar singalong.

I would book this show for the personality as much as the playlist. Rod’s clothes, movement, humor, and interaction with the room are part of the package. If you want a purely musical recital, another concert may suit you better. If you like an old-school star who knows how to command a stage, this format makes sense.

Is $88 a fair Las Vegas price?

At $88 per person, the value depends on how you use your Las Vegas evening. You receive admission to a 90-minute concert by a two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee in a major theater. For someone who already likes Rod Stewart, that is a reasonable price for a focused headline event.

The value is weaker if you are only mildly curious or if you plan to judge the night by vocal perfection. A large share of the appeal comes from familiarity and atmosphere. You are paying to hear classic songs performed by the person most associated with them, with a professional production around him.

The shorter duration helps the price. You are not buying an all-night commitment, and the concert leaves space for dinner or another plan. It also reduces the risk of fatigue for anyone who finds long shows tiring.

There is no refund if your plans change, so buy only when your schedule is firm. That matters in Las Vegas, where dinner reservations, casino plans, and other shows can shift quickly. Since children under six cannot attend, families with very young children will need a different evening plan.

Who should book The Encore Shows?

This concert suits Rod Stewart fans, couples looking for a polished night out, and visitors who enjoy seeing major performers in a seated theater. It is also a good fit if your group likes different musical eras and wants rock, disco, and new wave in one set.

You should be comfortable with adult humor and some swearing. You should also accept that the concert is built as a full production, with backup singers and stage elements, rather than as a stripped-down voice-and-guitar performance.

I would be cautious if you are bringing children, expecting every song to be a hit, or hoping for a completely restrained presentation. The under-six age rule is firm, and the performer’s humor may not suit everyone.

For the best experience, arrive with time to spare, check your seat assignment before leaving your hotel, and treat the show as an evening centerpiece. Do not plan to photograph or record it. Put the phone away and let the concert do its work.

Should you book Rod Stewart in Las Vegas?

Book it if you want a 90-minute hit-filled concert from a major rock singer in a well-equipped Caesars Palace theater. The strongest reasons are the broad musical range, the familiar songs, and Rod Stewart’s forceful personality on stage.

Skip it if you dislike crude humor, expect a flawless vocal showcase, or prefer a concert with no backup vocal emphasis. At $88, the ticket is a fair buy for fans, but only a moderate value for the uncommitted.

My practical call: dedicated fans should book confidently, while casual listeners should first decide if the Rod Stewart persona is part of the appeal. It is. This is not just a playlist performed under stage lights. It is a polished Las Vegas appearance by an unmistakable character.

FAQ

How long is Rod Stewart The Encore Shows?

The concert lasts 90 minutes.

Where does the concert take place?

It takes place at The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What does the ticket include?

The ticket includes admission to the concert.

How much does admission cost?

The listed price is $88 per person.

What songs can I expect to hear?

The program includes major hits such as Maggie May and Young Turks, along with songs from different periods of Rod Stewart’s career. It also includes swing selections, surprises, deep cuts, and material from the album Time.

What musical styles are included?

The performance covers rock, blues-rock, disco, new wave, swing, and later pop material.

When do the doors open?

Doors open one hour before the show.

Can I bring a camera or record the concert?

No. Cameras, video recording, and audio recording are not allowed.

Can children attend the concert?

Children under six are not permitted to attend.