The anticipation was high for this sold out night at the House of Blues in Las Vegas - this was the first time Stone Temple Pilots performed in Vegas with their new singer Jeff Gutt, and everyone was waiting to see if Gutt could live up to the history of this band, after losing two of the most iconic singers in rock history in just a few short years, Scott Weiland and Chester Bennington.
Opening up the show was a local band from right here in Las Vegas called The Dirty Hooks, a very talented band that has been tabbed to open the West Coast swing for STP as they continue to tour throughout 2018. (Check out photos of the band below).
Just minutes into the first song it was evident that Stone Temple Pilots made the right choice, as Gutt wowed the crowd with his booming voice as the fans cheered wildly for the return of STP and their classic hits. Jeff moved and strutted across the stage like he has been there forever, and it was evident that he was a fan of this band prior to taking the frontman role, as you could see a touch of both Weiland and Bennington in the moves in his performance. He did not try to emulate, but added just enough to have you flash back to the past when each of those two singers graced the stage. Original STP members Dean and Robert Deleo and drummer Eric Kretz have created a new and powerful STP with the addition of Gutt.
STP opened the show with the hit "Wicked Garden" and then went right into "Vaseline", and that was the moment the crowd fell in love with Gutt, and I knew this band would continue for many years to come. As is the case at all STP shows, the band slows things down in the middle with songs such as "Big Empty", "Plush" and "Interstate Love Song", which really showcased how great Gutt's voice is and the range he has.
Closing down the home stretch the band kicked into STP classics "Dead and Bloated", "Sex Type Thing", and "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart", and the band exited the stage to the roars of 'STP...STP...STP'…. After a few minutes the band returned and launched into "Coma", and finished the encore and the night with "Piece of Pie"
I have seen Stone Temple Pilots throughout the years with all three singers, and there is no doubt in my mind that Gutt will be a standout again in a line of historic singers. It was fantastic to see the band sell out the show and the crowd let them know they were the reason they were there. This was another amazing show at one of the great venues we are blessed with here in Las Vegas. Thanks to the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Casino for a great night of music and providing us with these fantastic shows.
Setlist Stone Temple Pilots:
Wicked Garden
Vasoline
Lounge Fly
Silvergun Superman
Sex & Violence
Regeneration
Glide
Big Empty
Atlanta
Plush
Meadow
Interstate Love Song
Too Cool Queenie
Sin
Roll Me Under
Dead & Bloated
Sex Type Thing
Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart
Encore:
Coma
Piece of Pie
Stone Temple Pilots: Photos by Harold Mountain / JustAFanPhotos
The Dirty Hooks: Photos by Harold Mountain / JustAFanPhotos