The first weekend of fall was a big one in Las Vegas.
Thousands descended on a span of 18 blocks across downtown as the likes of Chance the Rapper, Gorillaz, Lorde, 2 Chainz and HAIM performed at this year's fifth installment of Life Is Beautiful Festival.
And while the A-list headliners certainly drew big crowds and turned in impressive performances, there was a lot of excitement in the mid- and lower-tier ranks, with acts like Dua Lipa, Mondo Cozmo, THEY., Mura Masa, Day Wave, FRENSHIP, Sigrid, KYLE and Vince Staples proving the stable of future festival headliners is in good hands.
Many of these acts are having landmark years, with Dua celebrating the release of her debut album and a current tour supporting Bruno Mars, while Mondo Cozmo has become an alternative favorite while criss-crossing the country and KYLE has been putting out banger after banger, with the promise of a debut album looming.
As festival season in America eyes a nearby finish, Chance the Rapper had Vegas roaring as he made his much-anticipated return to both the city and the festival. Despite his presence atop nearly every festival lineup this summer, he brought a fresh energy quickly justifying his top placement.
Similarly, fellow festival favorites Lorde and Cage the Elephant also brought their A game to the Downtown Stage on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Lorde dazzled fans with an illuminating set, including new choreography for "Hard Feelings." Meanwhile, Cage frontman Matt didn't hold back as he offered up another rousing performance and eventually stripped down to a pair of nude-colored boxer briefs.
Another familiar festival staple was 2 Chainz, who took the stage despite a recent injury requiring him to remain in a wheelchair with his leg propped up. But with the help of some lovely assistants, he didn't seem to mind and neither did the audience.
As the season of big mainstream festivals winds down, Life Is Beautiful again proved to be a major player, refusing to let California have all the desert festivities.
See photos from select Life Is Beautiful performances below, by Dan DeSlover unless otherwise noted.
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