When Haircut One Hundred took the stage at the House of Blues Las Vegas, it didn’t feel like a retro cash-in or a museum piece. It felt like joy rediscovered — bright, brassy, and impossibly buoyant. In a city that thrives on spectacle, this was a different kind of flash: tight horn lines, jangly guitars, and melodies that still sparkle like it’s 1982.
The crowd skewed toward longtime fans — the ones who wore out copies of Pelican West — but there were younger faces too, drawn by playlists and rediscovery. Vegas has a way of amplifying everything, and the House of Blues provided the perfect mid-sized setting: intimate enough to feel personal, but lively enough to let those horn stabs ricochet around the room.
A Warm, Jazzy Opening
They kicked off with “Baked Beans,” an unexpected but charming opener. It immediately established the tone: this wasn’t going to be a straight run through the hits. The rhythm section locked into that light, almost Latin-tinged groove, while the horns added texture without overpowering the mix. The sound in the room was crisp — every bass line articulate, every guitar accent shimmering.
“King Size” followed, and the groove deepened. There’s something uniquely British about Haircut One Hundred’s sound — that fusion of jazz-funk rhythms with clean pop hooks — and live, it feels looser and warmer than on record. The band seemed genuinely thrilled to be there, smiling, making eye contact, feeding off the energy in the room.
By the time “Nobody’s Fool” rolled in, the audience had found its footing. Heads were bobbing. Drinks were raised. The band’s chemistry — especially between the rhythm section and horns — was undeniable. These weren’t hired guns running through arrangements; this felt lived-in.
Horns, Hooks, and Pure Sunshine
“Love’s Got Me in Triangles” brought a breezy, almost tropical vibe to the Vegas night. It’s easy to forget how rhythmically sophisticated these songs are until you hear them live. The percussion sits slightly behind the beat, giving everything a relaxed swing. The horns punctuate rather than dominate. And above it all, that signature vocal style — earnest without being saccharine.
“Dynamite” lived up to its name. The tempo ticked upward, and the room responded instantly. This is where Haircut One Hundred’s secret weapon becomes clear: their songs are deceptively danceable. They don’t bludgeon you with four-on-the-floor beats; they coax you onto the floor with syncopation and bounce.
The mix was excellent — not always a given in Vegas venues — allowing the subtleties to shine. The bass had warmth without muddiness. The horns cut through cleanly. And the guitars chimed with that unmistakable early-’80s brightness.
The Big Moments
When the opening riff of “Fantastic Day” rang out, the reaction was immediate. Cheers erupted. It’s one of those songs that seems genetically engineered to lift a room. The groove is elastic, the chorus irresistible. Hearing it live, you realize how much craft went into that seemingly effortless pop construction.
The band stretched the outro slightly, letting the horns and rhythm section jam just enough to feel spontaneous without losing structure. It was tight but alive — a tricky balance that Haircut One Hundred handled effortlessly.
Then came “Love Plus One,” and the energy spiked again. That opening guitar figure still sounds like sunshine. In the House of Blues, it felt like a time machine — transporting the crowd back to MTV’s golden early days without a hint of irony.
The horns were especially sharp here, delivering those bright flourishes that give the song its buoyancy. The crowd sang loudly, particularly during the chorus, turning the venue into a joyful choir. There’s something refreshing about a band whose biggest hits are rooted in optimism rather than angst. In a world that often feels heavy, these songs feel like windows thrown open.
Closing With the Classic
They saved “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)” for last, and it was the perfect closer. That iconic bass line slithered into the room, instantly recognizable. The groove locked in, and suddenly the entire venue was moving.
It’s remarkable how fresh the song still feels. The interplay between rhythm guitar, bass, and horns creates a layered sound that remains vibrant decades later. Live, the band leaned into the rhythmic breakdown, letting the groove breathe before bringing everything back in for a triumphant finish.
As the final notes rang out, the band lingered onstage, soaking in the applause. It didn’t feel like a goodbye — more like a celebration of survival, of music that refuses to fade.
Setlist – Haircut One Hundred
House of Blues – Las Vegas
Baked Beans
King Size
Nobody’s Fool
Love’s Got Me in Triangles
Dynamite
Fantastic Day
Love Plus One
Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)
A Night of Earnest Energy
What made the show resonate wasn’t just nostalgia — it was sincerity. Haircut One Hundred’s music has always been rooted in brightness, but there’s depth beneath that sheen. The jazz-inflected arrangements, the careful interplay between instruments, the melodic discipline — it all translates beautifully live.
Vegas can sometimes swallow subtle bands whole. Not tonight. The House of Blues provided just the right acoustics and intimacy for the band’s nuances to shine. There were no flashy production tricks, no overblown visuals. Just musicianship and songs that have aged remarkably well.
In an era where many ’80s acts rely on spectacle or irony, Haircut One Hundred leaned on craft. The horns were tight. The rhythms elastic. The vocals warm and confident. And perhaps most importantly, the joy felt real — not forced, not nostalgic for nostalgia’s sake.
Walking out onto the Strip afterward, the neon lights felt slightly less garish. Maybe it was the lingering chorus of “Love Plus One” echoing in everyone’s heads. Maybe it was the reminder that pop music, at its best, can be both sophisticated and endlessly fun.
Either way, Haircut One Hundred didn’t just revisit their past in Vegas.
They made it feel present.