VEGAS MUSIC NEWS: Mayer Announces Sphere Residency, Hetfield Tours Punk Museum, Alice Cooper/Criss Angel Add Dates

John Mayer will headline at least six shows at the Sphere that will feature three distinct sets. The April 2027 residency will find the blues guitarist performing as a solo artist, with a full band, and with the John Mayer Trio.

The solo set will primarily feature Mayer by himself on acoustic guitar, piano and electric guitar. And the Trio set will find Mayer reuniting with his bandmates, bassist Pino Palladino and drummer Steve Jordan, for the first time live since 2023. (Palladino replaced John Entwistle in The Who while Jordan replaced Charlie Watts in the Rolling Stones.)

Mayer’s dates are April 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, and 18, with more expected as soon as they sell out (as is the way of the globular wonder).

While this will be Mayer’s first time performing at the Sphere as a solo artist, he performed two residencies there, 48 gigs in total, with Dead and Co. in 2024 and 2025 before former Grateful Dead singer Bob Weir died on Jan. 10, 2026.

Pre-sales will begin 10 a.m. PT Wednesday (Oct. 7) with registration noon on Mayer’s website. The general on-sale will begin 10 a.m. PT Friday (Oct. 9) at ticketmaster.com.

Seek & Destroy the Gift Shop

Metallica singer James Hetfield checked out the Punk Rock Museum over the weekend, while in town setting up for his Sphere residency, which begins Thursday (Oct. 1).

The Punk Rock Museum shared a photo of him wearing a Misfits T-shirt in front of the entrance.

“Thanks to James Hetfield from @metallica for stopping by and checking out the museum today!” the post read, to which Metallica’s official Instagram page responded: “So THAT’S where he was!”

Metallica covered the band’s “Last Caress” and “Green Hell” on their 1987 release, $5.98 E.P. —Garage Days Re-Revisited.

Former Misfits guitarist Dez Cadena frequently conducts guided tours showcasing the Misfits artifacts on display at the museum, which include Jerry Only’s smashed bass displayed inside a coffin case.

Not Such a Nightmare After All

Alice Cooper and Criss Angel weren’t such a nightmare pairing after all. After multiple sell-outs, the unlikely music-magic due have added two new dates to their Planet Hollywood residency “Welcome to Our Nightmare.” The production now includes Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, both Sunday performances.

Staged in the Criss Angel Theater, the 90‑minute show blends Cooper’s hard‑rock staging with Angel’s large‑scale illusions. The setlist features classics like “Poison”, “I’m 18”, “School’s Out” and “You and Me”.

The updated schedule now runs Nov. 27, 28, 29 and Dec. 4, 5, 6, with all shows starting at 7 p.m. Tickets and VIP meet‑and‑greet packages are available through Ticketmaster or by phone at (855) 234‑7469.