The reunited Pixies, more popular now than when they were actually recording albums, stepped on stage with complete authority and blew away every band that played earlier in the day. With nothing to prove, they flawlessly rocked through their back catalog. There was no chatter between songs, but every member looked like they were having a blast. On a day when too many acts featured far more than five people, the Pixies's stripped down quartet felt like a breath of fresh air. The Pixies are selling out shows because their songs are stronger than nearly anything else being written today.

Green Day has emerged as the Las Vegas version of punk rock. The formerly bratty kids have become professional entertainers ready to pull any stunt to please the crowd. They added horns and dressed them in costumes. They played the hits from Dookie. They performed a straight ahead cover of "Shout." Green Day even pulled members of audience on stage and let them take over their instruments while singer Billy Joe Armstrong strutted around. The band closed with a cover of Queen's "We Are the Champions," ending with Mike Dirnt lighting his bass on fire and breaking it in two. Not wanting to disappoint, Billy Joe remained on stage to play a solo version of "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)." Ever the professional, he struck the last chord at 9:15, exactly when the band was scheduled to end their set.

The Beastie Boys ended the night with a razzle dazzle show that summed up their twenty year career. Perched above the stage, Mix Master Mike flew between the two turntables and his almost unbelievable moves were rebroadcast onto giant televisions set up around the stage. The Beasties began the night in track suits, prowling the stage and inciting the crowd. Midway through the set, the DJ took a break and the group appeared dressed as a wedding band in blue tuxedos to play some soulful funk. After a few songs, the DJ returned and the rap resumed. The Beasties were mixing sights as well as sounds, with live video and snippets of images accompanying each song on video screens. It all ended with the Boys back at the their instruments for a crazed rendetion of "Sabotage."

That was just the first day of the VooDoo Music Experience. Sunday featured Cowboy Mouth, Velvet Revolver, De La Soul, and Kid Rock. And next year, a whole new line up will be playing in New Orleans.

Also posted at A Frolic of My Own.