Review: New Year’s Eve with Ghostland Observatory at Plaza of the Americas in Dallas

It is best described as a miniature, indoor version of Times Square. And it was epic.

Photo by Josh Hogan

Midnight at Plaza of the Americas

So, you think the New Year's Eve party you went to was fun? Buddy, you've got no idea, unless you were at the Plaza of The Americas for Lights All Night. It was the third annual New Year's Eve bash presented by Highland Entertainment, but this is the first year with the Lights All Night moniker. And we have to say, the name fits. The party featured a number of bands and DJs, but most were there to see the headliners Ghostland Observatory.

The entire scene Friday night was surreal. The party was hosted in the main lobby area of the Plaza, and the emptied ice rink served as a massive dance floor in front of the stage. Upstairs, for those holding a VIP ticket, there was a separate stage and an open top shelf bar. (Needless to say, there was a line.) The VIP area overlooked the dance floor, and all of this was tucked under 15 stories of gazing hotel windows and balconies.

Photo by Josh Hogan

Ghostland Observatory

I heard it described best as a miniature, indoor version of Times Square; that's also a Ghostland Observatory concert. Talk about sensory overload. Of course, there was countdown and confetti shower at midnight, but it was followed by the Ghostland spectacle.

You really couldn't pick a better band for the gig. Austin's Ghostland Observatory is known for their intense light shows and dedicated, often costumed fans. Their show, it seems, was made for a New Year's Eve party. They sounded great, and surprisingly there did not seem to be any issues with acoustics in such a cavernous space. The band's lasers reflected off all the metal and glass above made for one of the unique and coolest things we've ever seen at a concert.

Photo by Josh Hogan

The atmosphere was electric.

For those who attended, things couldn't get much better. Everything from the security to the sound was impressive, and it was genuinely the NYE party in DFW. A flawless event, it featured booze, a killer party, and a hotel to crash at within walking distance. What more could you ask for in a New Year’s party?