We recently had the pleasure of a conversation with Joe Lopez, VP of Nightlife at Zouk Las Vegas regarding their summer pool season as well as changes in store for 2025. The following interview recently took place and shed light on the big plans for Zouk and Ayu Dayclub this summer season and the rest of 2025.

Click here to see Zouk Las Vegas upcoming schedule and to buy admission tickets as well as book VIP tables.

Zouk has established itself as a major player in Las Vegas nightlife since opening at Resorts World. How do you see the club’s identity evolving in 2025, especially as Vegas continues to grow as a global EDM destination?

In 2025, we’re focused on building up the things that make us stand out and bringing next-level music experiences. We’ve invested in a state-of-the-art sound system, immersive visuals, and interactive elements, creating an unparalleled audiovisual experience for audiences. Our passion is to create unforgettable experiences and we want to continue forging successful partnerships to make that happen. We’re also looking forward to pool season and Ayu Dayclub opening up this March with some great things to be announced soon.

You’ve host some of electronic music’s biggest names like Kaskade and Illenium. Can you give us any exclusive insights into new residency announcements or changes to your talent roster for 2025?

We just announced our lineup this February and are extremely excited about our 2025 residents. Kaskade, Illenium, Meduza, James Hype, and DJ Snake are among the amazing returning resident artists, and we know fans are excited to see them at Zouk and Ayu. We are also thrilled to welcome Alison Wonderland as a resident after she had a very memorable sold-out show with us last year. On the hip-hop side, we have incomparable artists like T-Pain, Lil Wayne, and Nelly.

We’ve seen a shift in electronic music trends over the past year, with genres like tech house and melodic techno gaining mainstream popularity. How does this influence your music programming and booking decisions?

The rise of tech house and melodic techno is a testament to the diversity within EDM. This year, our programming will reflect these shifts, incorporating more of these genres into our lineup while maintaining a balance with crowd favorites.

How do you balance catering to both tourists and local Vegas residents in your programming and events?

Whether you’re here for a weekend or you live in Vegas, you’ll always have a place to enjoy great music and great energy at Zouk Nightclub and Ayu Dayclub. We try to get a variety of genres and artists so that every weekend is fun for tourists and feels fresh for locals.

With Resorts World being relatively new to the Strip, what synergies have you developed with the hotel to create unique experiences for guests?

We have a very innovative approach. We’ve been able to collaborate on property-wide activations like Rodeo World during the National Finals Rodeo, EDC, Race World and more to cater to the different audiences. We’ve put together unforgettable after-parties, watch parties, and so much more. Every part of the property can be activated and Zouk is no exception.

Zouk has successfully balanced EDM and hip-hop programming. How do you approach curating these different musical experiences, and will we see any shifts in the balance between genres in 2025?

The overarching strategy is always to look for what’s next and not be afraid to go for it because the industry doesn’t ever slow down. We can’t just wait for the next trend—by then, it’s already too late. I think as a team, we have and continue to take chances that some wouldn’t. Ultimately, our goal is to curate a lineup that resonates with our audience and fanbase, enhances the venue’s atmosphere, and creates memorable experiences for attendees.

Your hip-hop nights have featured major artists like Travis Scott and Jack Harlow. Can you share any insights about new hip-hop residencies or special performances planned for this year?

We’re excited to bring in more top-tier hip-hop talent in 2025. It’s always exciting to welcome artists to the Zouk Nightclub or Ayu Dayclub stage and there’s a lot of surprises in store this year. We are also thrilled to have returning artists in our residency lineup including music icons like T-Pain and Lil Wayne. Grammy Award-winning artist Nelly is another great addition our 2025 residency lineup.

We’ve seen a trend of hip-hop artists incorporating electronic elements into their live performances. How does Zouk’s advanced production capabilities enhance these hybrid performances?

Every artist has custom graphics and production design that makes it a truly immersive experience for every guest at Zouk. We have an incredible production team that collaborates with the artist crews to bring their vision to life. At the center of the venue is our Mothership which has a unique lighting system you cannot see elsewhere and adds a dynamic energy to the room. We have ceiling panels, a massive floor to ceiling LED wall, a state-of-the-art sound system developed in partnership with industry leader L’Acoustic and more. Pairing the incredible talent that steps onto the stage with incredible sound and visuals make Zouk Nightclub an unforgettable destination.

Some clubs struggle with transitioning between EDM and hip-hop nights, but Zouk seems to do it seamlessly. What’s your secret to maintaining distinct but equally strong identities for both genres?

There is a ton of planning to make every night a success. This is a testament to our Marketing and Entertainment teams studying the market and mastering our calendar. Vegas gets thousands of visitors per day and picking the right talent for the audience in the city for each given weekend and curating a cohesive guest experience is key to making it feel seamless.

The hip-hop audience often has different bottle service and VIP expectations compared to the EDM crowd. How does your team adapt their service approach for these different demographics?

There are more similarities than differences. Guest service is paramount, and our service team delivers great guest service whether at a VIP table or on the dance floor. Different performers bring different crowds out but they’re all here for a good time. At the end of the day, our staff are trained to make every guest feel like they’re VIPs and that’s the goal every time.

There’s been an interesting crossover between hip-hop and dance music culture in recent years. How do you see this fusion influencing Zouk’s future programming?

This crossover aligns with Zouk’s vision of blending genres and you can expect more collaborative events and innovative programming that celebrates this fusion. The music industry and this city has diversified its offerings, and we continue to do so as well.

Las Vegas has historically been known more for EDM residencies. What inspired Zouk to make such a strong commitment to hip-hop programming, and how has the market responded?

Our hip-hop programming stems from recognizing its popularity and demand. The market response has been phenomenal, and Vegas is a destination that people come to for great entertainment so that’s our commitment.

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By: Greg Wasik
Title: Behind the Scenes: Zouk Las Vegas Opens Up About Their Most Ambitious Year Yet
Sourced From: edmlife.com/behind-the-scenes-zouk-las-vegas-opens-up-about-their-most-ambitious-year-yet/
Published Date: Fri, 02 May 2025 21:13:21 +0000

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