Hard-hitting country rock band fills massive European arenas but is barely known in their Las Vegas hometown. How can this be?

Welcome back to TALES FROM THE SPOTLIGHT. Living in this city and working on its stages is an experience like no other. In Issue #1, we heard from David Tatlock of The Soul Juice Band. His take on the experience is both shared and wholly unique.
Today’s entry focuses on pop culture icon Mario Barth and the band ABOUT KINGS. They’re the type of group you’d expect to see in biker bars and small honky tonks. When touring throughout Europe, ABOUT KINGS packs stadiums and arenas. But in hometown Las Vegas, the crowds are much smaller.

On October 18th, ABOUT KINGS gave a free performance at Treasure Island. Their appearance at Gilley’s Saloon and Dance Hall received minimal local press (VEGAS 411 covered it for our readers), once again demonstrating the ironies of being a Vegas-based entertainment entity.

Mario Barth (center) and ABOUT KINGS
Mario Barth is known to many as the “Tattoo Artist to the Stars”. His clients include Criss Angel, Sylvester Stallone, and Lenny Kravitz. He’s also an entrepreneur, inventor, animal rights activist, and humanitarian.
Mario’s global empire is based at
INTENZE TATTOO INK in Las Vegas. Then there’s
Starlight Tattoo at
Mandalay Bay Resort, the stuff of pop culture legend. Fans may sometimes wait months to get an ink session with Mario. He’s also dropped hints at a new boutique, possibly at the incoming
Hard Rock Hotel on the Strip.
Despite being born in Braz, Austria, Mr. Barth is very much a part of the Las Vegas community. His October 2021 concert at
Mosaic Theater was free to those who donated blood. A subsequent appearance at
Hard Rock Live benefited the
Coalition for Tattoo Safety and offered complimentary admission to military veterans.
You can learn more about Mr. Barth and his many successful projects in this
profile piece for
CHIC COMPASS Magazine. Here’s his latest endeavor, a guest column for
VEGAS 411 told in the third person. Enjoy!
**Breaking Through the Glitz: Challenges for Bands Like Mario Barth and About Kings in the Las Vegas Scene**
Las Vegas is globally recognized as a mecca for entertainment, hosting high-profile artists in the biggest venues and attracting fans from all corners of the globe. However, for local bands like Mario Barth and About Kings, carving out a space in this competitive market is no easy feat—especially with their unique niche in heavy country rock.
Despite Mario Barth’s impressive accolades, including being named “Rising Stars of Nashville” and performing to European audiences of over 50,000, the band faces unique hurdles on their home turf.
Backstage in Berlin, Germany
### Limited Venues, High Competition for Local Bands
The local music scene in Las Vegas has far fewer venue options for emerging or niche bands, and the available venues tend to prioritize well-known acts. This limited access can stifle even seasoned local performers. Las Vegas casinos, central to the live entertainment landscape, concentrate their booking efforts on artists with wide, mainstream appeal, making it hard for heavy country rock bands to secure regular performance slots—even those with international experience like About Kings.
### Casinos Favor Out-of-Town Headliners Over Local Talent
In Las Vegas, casino venues drive the music scene, but their focus remains on high-profile, big-ticket events. Even though most tickets to these shows are comped to casino players, casinos favor out-of-town headliners over supporting established local talent. For Mario Barth and About Kings, this makes gaining traction in their own backyard particularly frustrating.
The established preference for big, national acts often sidelines talented local bands, diminishing the diversity of entertainment options and leaving Las Vegas audiences without exposure to homegrown talent.
### Niche Appeal: The Heavy Country Rock Hurdle
As a heavy country rock band, Mario Barth and About Kings navigate a unique space in the Las Vegas market. Unlike more universally recognized genres, their fusion of intense rock and country elements can be a tough sell to local venue owners and casino managers who aim for maximum audience appeal.
Though country music does have its share of fans in Las Vegas, the heavier twist narrows the pool of potential fans. This niche nature makes it challenging for the band to grow a strong, localized following when larger stages are often out of reach.
### The Road Ahead for Local Bands
Despite these challenges, bands like Mario Barth and About Kings have potential pathways forward. With innovative marketing approaches, strategic partnerships with smaller venues, and a commitment to building a dedicated fanbase, local bands in Las Vegas can push boundaries and contribute to a more diverse entertainment culture.
Ultimately, the support of local audiences and a broader embrace of niche genres by the Las Vegas music industry could lead to a more balanced landscape, one where the city’s own “rising stars” have the opportunity to shine right at home.
You can learn more about Mario Barth and ABOUT KINGS by visiting the official website. And visit VEGAS 411 often for the latest news, views, and tips.