10 best musical moments from the iHeartRadio Music Festival

The iHeartRadio Music Festival Las Vegas was another rousing success, and these 10 best musical moments had everyone on their feet cheering.

IHeartRadio and the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas brought together some of the biggest names in music. Honoring the pop stars of today and the iconic musicians who have influenced so many people’s lives, the annual event is more than just a concert. It is a celebration of music — past, present, and future.

Over a period of two days, the iHeartRadio event had nighttime concerts and a daytime festival stage. The breadth of artists included Miley Cyrus, Cage the Elephant, Def Leppard and the Backstreet Boys. Given its varied lineup, the event might have been eclectic, but it was totally cohesive.

Looking back at the event, it was incredibly refreshing to see not just the depth of the lineup, but also the various generations in the audience. Millennials danced side by side with Gen X, and parents came with their kids. Girlfriends celebrated a night out. Simply stated, music brought everyone together.

While the entire event was momentous, a few moments were particularly impressive. Of course, everyone will differ in their opinions, but these 10 moments deserve to be relived.

Miley Cyrus singing Led Zeppelin

Miley Cyrus might have gotten the crowd on its feet on night two with some of her popular songs, but her performance of a Led Zeppelin song proved that Cyrus is a powerful singer. In some ways, that performance had the grit of the legendary Janis Joplin. No theatrics were required. She was a forceful female who deserved that centerstage moment.

Lil Nas X’s special appearance

While the iHeartRadio Music Festival lineup was spectacular, there were a few surprises along the way. When Lil Nas X took the stage to perform “Old Town Road,” everyone was on their feet. The song that has become a mega-smash had everyone singing. Plus, he rocked an awesome country-inspired look.

Backstreet Boys and Steve Aoki finale

To close out the opening night, the Backstreet Boys joined Steve Aoki to perform their collaboration of “Let It Be” — and it left the audience energized. With the real people from the video joining the group onstage, it infused the night with positivity, celebration, and togetherness

Chance the Rapper’s “Blessings”

Chance the Rapper brought a moment of positivity to the stage. As he ended his set with “Blessings,” everyone in the audience could feel the praises going up. Whether you are a rap fan or not, this song is a wonderful reminder that gratitude can reap great blessings throughout your life.

Green Day’s opening act

After dropping new music and announcing the Hella Mega Tour with Fall Out Boy and Weezer, the festival kicked off with the rock trio. From classic hits to their new song, Green Day’s performance set the tone for the weekend. And it made everyone want to buy tickets to their summer tour.

Zac Brown Band performing Rage Against the Machine

While you might just think of Zac Brown Band with its hits of “Chicken Fried” and “Toes,” that band can definitely jam to some rock chords. When they jammed to Rage Against the Machine, it showed their versatility. Sure, a down-home catchy song is fun, but a riff-filled guitar performance gets people excited.

Def Leppard, a cross-generational favorite

After a successful Las Vegas residency, everyone was excited to see the legendary rock band, Def Leppard. Young, old and everyone in between was dancing and singing along to all the classics. With a shout out to Miley during “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” this performance proves that music is never pigeonholed to one generation, persona, or group.

Backstreet Boys are definitely back

The ’90s are definitely making a comeback. From television series to fashion to music, it is clear that the Backstreet Boys are definitely back. Another band coming off of a Las Vegas residency, these guys proved that they still have it — and the crowd loved every moment. From the impressive dance moves to all the songs everyone loves, the performance was definitely the highlight of day one.

Mumford & Sons earned their spotlight

Blending intimate moments with intricate melodies, Mumford & Sons captivated everyone. While people might be familiar with their songs, watching their performance showcased how amazing they are as performers. After seeing them, you will never look at a banjo the same way again.

Cage the Elephant had the most impressive wardrobe change

Cage the Elephant had probably the most curious performance. Throughout the set, the lead singer’s wardrobe kept reducing. From hat to socks, all the way to a onesie, it was the most transformational performance of the weekend.

These 10 moments are just a very small sampling of this year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival. For music fans, the weekend of events was spectacular. It was a celebration of how music grows and weaves through your life. That song at 16 still evokes a reaction at 30. You might be at different place in your life, but you can look back and see that journey.

Looking around at the audience during this music festival is a testament that music is — and will continue to be — a language that everyone can understand.

Have you been to the iHeartRadio Music Festival? What was your favorite performance?