Zouk Group's headliner will have a "multi-year residency"
Ever since Las Vegas nightclubs went into hibernation, those of us that follow the industry have been making wild guesses about where resident artists would wind up once the pandemic subsided. The pieces are slowly falling into place, with incoming entertainment brand Zouk Group’s announcement that “Break Free” and “The Middle” artist Zedd will be the inaugural headliner at Zouk Nightclub and AYU Dayclub—both set to open summer 2021—inside Resorts World Las Vegas.
Performance dates for the “multi-year residency” have not been announced, but Zedd’s signing is expected to kick off a deluge of related announcements, as rumors of the Resorts World DJ roster have been circulating for weeks. The nearly 100,000 square foot Zouk Nightclub is comprised of “four distinct environments” and inspired by Singapore’s nightlife scene, which means it can accommodate more than one headliner at a time, and we shouldn’t be surprised to see Zouk scoop up more of the world’s most recognized DJs as it seeks to make the biggest splash possible during Resorts World’s debut.
Zedd earned $17 million in 2019, according to Statista, ranking him ninth on the list of highest paid DJs. His last Vegas contract – signed in 2018 with the aforementioned Hakkasan Group – was a two-year deal extending his residency through 2020 at MGM Grand’s Hakkasan Nightclub and Wet Republic dayclub, and OMNIA Nightclub inside Caesars Palace. He’s also headlined for Wynn Nightlife.
In a news release announcing Zedd’s signing, Zouk Group Chief Executive Officer promised the residency would be “an immersive show experience that extends well beyond a traditional DJ set.” What that looks like remains to be seen, though it should be noted that Las Vegas nightlife brands have been working to evolve the resident artist experience prior to the pandemic. Notable examples include Wynn’s “Paradise Parties” deal with DJ/producer Jamie Jones, Drai’s Group’s pursuit of live hip-hop for its namesake nightclub, and one-off events such as pairing Zedd with singer Maren Morris for a live performance of “The Middle” at Omnia.
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