Discover the Latest in Vegas Music: Sick New Worlds Debut as Babyface and Kenny Chesney Make Their Comebacks
This year witnessed the cancellation of the Sick New World (SNW) festival, originally set to take place at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on April 12, 2026. The decision came due to disappointing ticket sales, with only 20,000 of the required 60,000 tickets sold by December 2024. This failure prompted Live Nation to reevaluate its approach.
Upcoming Sick New World Festivals
In an unexpected turnaround, Live Nation has announced two Sick New World festivals for 2026. The events will occur on:
- April 25, 2026 – Las Vegas
- October 24, 2026 – Fort Worth, Texas
Fans can register on the SNW website for updates regarding the lineup. Although specifics remain unconfirmed, reports suggest that System of a Down is likely to perform at the Las Vegas event, having participated in previous festivals in 2023 and 2024.
Ticket Pricing Challenges
The high ticket prices presented a significant barrier to sales. General admission tickets were priced at $472, which limited access primarily to affluent fans. Live Nation acknowledged these issues as “unforeseen circumstances” they could not navigate.
Babyface and Kenny Chesney’s Vegas Comeback
In addition to the festival news, R&B legend Babyface, whose real name is Kenneth Edmonds, has announced additional performance dates for his residency at the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms Casino Resort. His shows will be scheduled over four holiday weekends in 2026:
- Valentine’s Day Weekend: February 13-14
- Mother’s Day Weekend: May 8-9
- Labor Day Weekend: September 4-5
- Veteran’s Day Weekend: November 13-14
Tickets for these performances will become available on October 24, 2025, at 10 a.m. via AXS, with a presale starting on October 21 for loyal fans using the code “BABYFACE.”
Kenny Chesney’s Return to Las Vegas
Country music star Kenny Chesney will also make his return to Las Vegas in 2026. His previous performances at the Sphere garnered notable attention earlier in June. While full details are pending, the Sphere teased his return with the message “#summertime26” alongside the iconic phrase “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems.” An official announcement regarding his tour dates is expected soon.
Overall, the 2026 entertainment landscape in Las Vegas is shaping up to be exciting, with both music legends making notable comebacks and new festival events on the horizon.
