A couple of quick Vegoose photos taken with my camera phone.

First, a shot of the stadium stage early in the day:

And second, a wider shot of the stadium at sunset during Phil Lesh's set:

The highlight of Vegoose's first day was without question The String Cheese Incident. Their afternoon show at the stadium was spectacular, yet it paled in comparison to the band's midnight show at The Orleans. During that performance they closed out the first set with a 20-minute (at least) rendition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller," complete with contortionists, acrobats, and zombies scattered throughout the venue followed by a massive balloon drop. (Best of all, the zombies on stage were dancing the exact choereography from Jackson's video.) I doubt I'll ever see another rock concert that will compare with this one in terms of energy, spectacle, and sheer musical virtuosity.

At least until I see another Cheese show.

This weekend is the big Vegoose Music Festival here in Vegas. Performers will be on stage all day Saturday and Sunday at Sam Boyd Stadium. Late night concerts are also scheduled for various venues around town on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights. Artists scheduled to perform include: Dave Matthews, Beck, Phil Lesh & Friends (featuring Ryan Adams), Trey Anastasio, Gov't Mule, The String Cheese Incident, moe., Umphrey's McGee, Sleater-Kinney, Jack Johnson, Widespread Panic, The Flaming Lips, The Shins, and The Arcade Fire. (For a complete list of performers, check out Vegoose.com)

My own Vegoose odyssey kicks off Friday at 10 p.m. when Gov't Mule takes the stage at The Joint (in the Hard Rock Hotel). I'll then head over to House of Blues at Mandalay Bay for a 1 a.m. concert by Umphrey's McGee. After a few hours sleep, I'll spend all day Saturday at the stadium before making my way over to the Orleans for a String Cheese Incident show at midnight. After another short night of sleep, I'll be back at the stadium all day Sunday. Not a bad weekend, I'd say.

Fortunately, this Friday is a state holiday in Nevada, so I'll be able to get plenty of rest in preparation for a weekend of non-stop music.