What an incredible night we had on Friday, October 17 at Myron’s at The Smith Center in Las Vegas! Our Pop Strings Orchestra took the stage for Back to the 80’s, and it was everything we hoped for — high energy, packed with nostalgia, and full of those iconic hits delivered in true Perrico style: powerful arrangements, world-class musicianship, and plenty of that big Vegas flair.

We can’t thank you all enough for coming out, singing along, and dancing the night away. Thank you, everyone — we had an absolute blast! 🎉
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Photos were graciously captured by Sebastien Theve / The Studio — CLICK THE LINK BELOW to relive the night and maybe spot a few of your favorite musicians or singers in the spotlight!

​Can’t wait to see you all at the next one!

Article originally published by John Katsilometes Las Vegas Review-Journal NEON
September 24, 2025 - 5:45 pm

The Raiders need some big hits Sunday, and the stars of Earth, Wind & Fire are suiting up.

The legendary funk/R&B/soul/disco band is playing the halftime show at Allegiant Stadium as the Silver and Black face the Bears. In their first such NFL performance, EWF will unleash “Boogie Wonderland,” “Groove Tonight,” and “September.” We can’t yet say if the lyric will be changed to, “Do you remember, the 28th night of September.”

Vocalist Philip Bailey, bassist Verdine White and percussionist-vocalist Ralph Johnson will perform with the 15-piece David Perrico and the Raiders House Band.

EWF returns to The Venetian Theatre for nine shows Oct. 10-25, the latest in their ongoing, recurring engagement at the venue. The band also performed “A Grammy Salute to Earth, Wind & Fire Live: The 21st Night of September” on CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday night, a show originating from the Hollywood Bowl.

Stevie Wonder, the Jonas Brothers, Jon Batiste and Janelle Monáe were among the stars featured. The show celebrated the 50th anniversary of EWF’s performance at the famed venue, with the band performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The show is still streaming on the Paramount+ app.

​Las Vegas native and touring performer Stephani Parker will sing the national anthem. It is her second performance after her rendition prior to last season’s game against the Jaguars. Mariachi Nuestras Raices will perform in the pregame party. Ex-Raider linebacker, Jerry Robinson, active in many facets of the community, will light the Al Davis Memorial Torch.

Kickoff is 1:25, arrive about 45 minutes early to catch the show.

A huge thank you to Sam Novak and VEGAS411 for their outstanding coverage of David Perrico’s POP SYMPHONIC concert at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas on Aug 2nd. Sam’s review of our latest show “David Perrico POP SYMPHONIC Rocks the Smith Center” perfectly captured the energy and artistry of the night.

The article highlights everything that makes POP SYMPHONIC such a unique live music experience—from the emotional opening tribute to Chuck Mangione, to powerhouse performances of rock, pop, Broadway, with original compositions by musician and band leader David Perrico. Featuring incredible vocalists like Lily Arce, Rockie Brown, Serena Henry, and Toscha Comeaux, plus instrumentalists such as Fernando Tort and Steven Lee, the concert was a true celebration of live music in Las Vegas.

We are so grateful for Sam’s thoughtful words and for shining a spotlight on the incredible musicians who bring David Perrico’s vision of symphonic rock and pop to life.

Read the full article here, complete with several FANTASTIC photos of the concert by Sam Novak: David Perrico POP SYMPHONIC Rocks the Smith Center
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— The David Perrico Music Team

Get ready for a night of high-energy nostalgia as the David Perrico & Pop Strings Orchestra bring their signature sound to Myron’s at The Smith Center for a one-night-only performance of “Hits of the 80s”!

📅 Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Venue: Myron’s at The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89106
🎟️ Tickets (including fees): $40.30 – $63.30

Expect an electrifying 75–90 minute show (no intermission), packed with iconic songs from one of the most unforgettable decades in music.

Don’t miss your chance to experience this powerhouse ensemble--official house band for the Las Vegas Raiders—live on stage!

On January 11, 2025, David Perrico, leader of the official House Band for the Las Vegas Raiders (performing pre-game shows, in-game segments, half-time showcases, and post-game celebrations at Allegiant Stadium​) was featured on Vegas PBS' "Nevada Week In Person." In this engaging interview, Perrico shares his journey from his musical beginnings in Youngstown, Ohio, to touring with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.

He also discusses the unique role of the Raiders House Band—the only official house band in the NFL—including how they organize music during live games, the use of earpieces to time performances between plays, and the challenges of creating custom arrangements for each game. Perrico also provides insights into the audition process and how his Pop Strings Orchestra was selected to become the official House Band for the Las Vegas Raiders.
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Watch the full interview here: Vegas PBS - Nevada Week In Person

The Kats! Bureau at this writing is The Perch at Allegiant Stadium. This place is versatile. Last weekend, it was Pink. Today, it’s Silver & Black.

More from this scene, and elsewhere.

David Perrico and the Raiders House Band kicks off its “Friday Night Tailgates” at The Front Yard at Ellis Island. This runs 10 p.m.-midnight throughout the season.

Like a wide open receiver, there is no cover.

“We’re taking advantage of a great venue to create a tailgate scene for Raiders fans the weekend of the game,” says Perrico, who grew up in Youngstown, Ohio and learned the tailgate art at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. “We think locals and Raider Nation fans will love it.”

This is the full band that plays Raiders home games and related, official team events. The Front Yard is the class-enclosed fortress facing Koval Lane.

​The venue was conceived by the Ellis family, owners of the hotel-casino-brewery always. It has always held ample potential as an events space for live music. The operators have tried comedy in there, too, but it’s better for music.

Full bar, menu of tailgate-fashioned noshes, and the band can play anything, including “The Autumn Wind.”

My wife, Arlene, and I were at our first concert before we were married, clapping hands and standing on our seats in Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown.

It was 1968, and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles were on stage.

Memories of that night more than 50 years ago filled me with wild emotion as we stood with the crowd at Powers Auditorium on Valentine’s Day to applaud David Perrico for his composition, “Youngstown Steeltown,” performed by Pop Symphonic and the Youngstown Symphony.

Perrico’s trumpet and his tribute to our city sparked a standing ovation by an audience composed of symphony concert regulars, Chaney High School and YSU Dana School of Music alumni and others who came to welcome home one of their own. It was a magical scene in the middle of the city in which I have resided for more than 70 years.

Full disclosure: David Perrico is a close friend; his father is a lifetime friend; and his brother, Brian, is our godson.

I remember the winter weekends years ago when David, Brian and our son, Steve, went sledding in Mill Creek Park, and when David’s father went to Vietnam. A half century has gone by, and here we are.

I am neither a music critic nor have I ever written a review. But I have something to say about good things that happen in my community, and I like to talk about people from our city who do well.

At the Powers Auditorium concert, Perrico and 14 of his musicians and vocalists from Las Vegas, with local guest artist Jackie Popovec of The Vindys, joined with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra for a joyful blend of classical, opera, pop and rock music – all arranged by Perrico, who served as guest conductor.

Perrico is a native of Youngstown and a graduate of Chaney High School and Dana School of Music. For the popular Las Vegas entertainer, his hometown concert was like a celebration with friends.

Since relocating to Las Vegas 20 years ago, he has become one of the most in-demand musicians for casinos, private parties and concerts. His wife, Lily Arce, is a vocal artist with several groups in Vegas. She also performed at the show in Youngstown.

Perrico has organized several bands in his career. He currently fronts a 19-piece ensemble that is the house band for the Las Vegas Raiders and performs at all home games at Allegiant Stadium.

Perrico had started working to create a pop music and symphony orchestra blend in 2020, when casinos shut down their live shows. Forced to stay home during the pandemic, he wrote compositions and music arrangements for days – pausing for the occasional hike with Lily.

When Covid restrictions were lifted, he gathered 60 top musicians and eight vocalists to create his Pop Symphonic orchestra. The act puts a lively and brassy spin on popular songs.

He performed some of his arrangements in Youngstown, featuring Pop Symphonic members Arce and Fletch Walcott on vocals, Andrew Friedlander on tenor sax and David Siegal on piano.

Perrico features the string section. Pop Symphonic travels with an animated group of violinists and cellists that move and sound as one. This was especially true in Perrico’s arrangement of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by the Charlie Daniels Band.

I’ve attended Pop Strings concerts in Las Vegas and a game at Allegiant Stadium while the Raiders House Band performed. On each occasion, audiences and crowds connected with Perrico.

It happened again in Youngstown on Valentine’s Day.

In all his work, Perrico strives for a connection with his audience, and when it happens, he says you can feel the love. It was obvious again when many gathered at Penguin City Brewing after the concert. Perrico shook hands and hugged friends and fans for two hours.

Cities like Youngstown need to feel the love, to celebrate themselves, to celebrate the achievements of those among us. That’s why David Perrico’s return was so important. 

Let’s hope we see Pop Symphonic again.

Editor’s note: George Denney is happily retired after working three careers over a 50-year span. He was a steelworker in Youngstown, a reporter for the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator, and a Youngstown Municipal Court administrator. He and his wife remain city residents.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.

Watch David Perrico (Trumpet/Conductor of Pop Symphonic) as he's interviewed on WKBN Channel 27, Youngstown Ohio, discussing their upcoming concert featuring POP SYMPHONIC in collaboration with The Youngstown Symphony on Feb 14, 2024, 7:30pm @ Powers Auditorium, DeYor Performing Arts Center. In this interview, you'll hear Perrico talk about growing up in Youngstown, and what it's like to go home again!

Tickets to the concert are available NOW on the DeYor Performing Arts Center website: