The music in Nevada is often associated with the Rat Pack and lounge singers like Wayne Newton playing in Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City. However, Nevada has launched many other notable artists and bands from a variety of genres.
Alternative rock
The Killers formed in Las Vegas in 2001. They are seen as one of the biggest rock bands of the 21st century, and the most successful rock act to ever emerge from the state of Nevada, having sold an estimated 28 million albums worldwide. They had a #1 album in 2019, and their 2006 album Sam's Town was #2 on the Billboard 200. They have achieved worldwide success as a live band, performing in over fifty countries and on six continents, headlining venues such as Madison Square Garden and Wembley Stadium. The Killers' lead vocalist Brandon Flowers, born in Henderson, Nevada, has additionally released two solo albums (like Flamingo), both of which reached #1 on the UK Albums charts.
Imagine Dragons is a Grammy Award-winning band based in Las Vegas. They have enjoyed immense international success and acclaim. Imagine Dragons is the only artist or group with two songs in the Top Ten Most Downloaded Songs in Rock History "Radioactive" (No. 1) and "Demons" (No. 8). They have had a #1 album on the Billboard 200 with the alternative Smoke + Mirrors in 2015, and 2 #2 albums on the Billboard 200. Lead singer Dan Reynolds attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Big Talk is a rock band from Las Vegas formed by Ronnie Vannucci Jr, best known as the drummer of The Killers. The band released a debut, self-titled album in 2011 and a second album titled Straight In No Kissin' in 2015. Big Talk made their live television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on July 25, 2011.
Panic! at the Disco is a rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada formed in 2004 and currently featuring the lineup of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Brendon Urie. They have had 2 #1 albums on the Billboard 200 with the pop rock Death of a Bachelor in 2016, and Pray for the Wicked in 2018.
The Cab is a pop rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada. They've been called "The Band You Need to Know 2008" by Alternative Press and were featured in the "100 Bands You Need to Know in 2010" by the magazine.
Bassist Branden Campbell of Neon Trees grew up in Las Vegas.
Alt country
Several alt country bands including The Clydesdale and The Yeller Bellies, both of whom have released multiple albums each, are a part of the Las Vegas music scene.
Blues
NBC's America's Got Talent winner Michael Grimm is a Las Vegas resident who regularly performs in the valley.
Country
The city of Elko, Nevada is an important center for cowboy music and poetry. In 1985, Hal Cannon, director of the Western Folklife Center, founded the first Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which has since spread across the country; Elko is also home to the Cowboy Music Gathering. Las Vegas' music scene includes a number of country and cowboy-themed hotel shows, many of them featuring big stars like Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton.
Dance
Dino graduated of University of Nevada, Las Vegas before releasing two top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
Multiple members of the Grammy-nominated group The Jets relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada where they still perform.
Folk
David Hopkins, a singer-songwriter from Ireland, relocated to Las Vegas where he released a 2010 album featuring Damien Rice and Laura Jansen. His recordings have landed on the Irish singles top 40 chart and Las Vegas Weekly dubbed him "an Ace singer-songwriter".
Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley) grew up in Las Vegas and featured on the debut solo album of Brandon Flowers.
Jill & Julia are a local folk duo signed to Nashville indie label, Lamon Records.
Garage rock
Several garage acts have gained notoriety in Las Vegas. The Mad Caps mix blues and rockabilly with garage rock, while Rob Bell (of The Yeller Bellies) mixes country with garage rock in his project known as The Psyatics
Gospel
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Gladys Knight lives in Las Vegas and leads the Saints Unified Voices gospel music choir. Together with the choir, Knight earned a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album.
Hard rock
Post-hardcore group Escape the Fate have charted on the Billboard 200 three times. Two singles have charted on the Hot Rock Songs chart.
Post-hardcore group Falling in Reverse have charted on the Billboard 200 three times.
Adelitas Way have twice charted on the Billboard 200. Four singles have charted on the Hot Rock Songs chart.