Dillon Francis Celebrates His 10-Year Residency At Wynn Las Vegas

Dillon Francis is a man who needs no introduction to many. The dance music heavy-weight champion has graced the stages of acclaimed venues and festivals worldwide such as Electric Daisy Carnival, The Brooklyn Mirage, Beyond Wonderland, Echostage, HARD Summer and more. Most notably, Francis is a resident deejay at the acclaimed Wynn Las Vegas resort’s nightlife and daytime destinations, and this year he celebrates a decade of performing at the nightclub.

When his residency began in 2013, the producer says he played moombahton, his signature style, instead of catering to the iconic party city’s crowd. A former Wynn Nightlife director told Francis he needed to do homework because “people [weren’t] ready for that music right now in Vegas,” Francis recalls. The iconic artist went home, did research and played a Las Vegas-ready set, solidifying his spot during what was his trial run. Francis says David Guetta and Diplo are among the only other artists to have such a long run within the city.

“I got into the game way later than them,” he says. “To be in Vegas for that long…that’s a reassuring thing for me that I’ve been doing things right.”

Francis began his residency in the early stages of his career, making it notable that the multi-genre artist was able to secure a Las Vegas spot during that timeframe.

“I was hustling so hard back in 2013 and putting out as much music as possible,” Francis says. “I think that really helped get me on the radar of Wynn and the people that were booking artists back then. So I think that me sitting in my room constantly and making a different remix to whatever song it was back then really helped with getting the residency and playing the right music the whole time helped me keep that residency.”

According to the kingpin producer, part of the key to success in playing in Las Vegas is remembering that there is a different audience every night such as bachelor parties, vacations, conferences and rodeos. To combat this, Francis says it’s important to follow the two-by-one rule: play one song you like as the deejay and two with catchy lyrics.

“[His shows are] super high energy, lots of fun,” says Ryan Jones, vice president of Wynn Nightlife. “He’s one of those guys that we say always plays a crowd-pleasing set. It’s not niche. It’s very broad and touches a lot of people.”

Jones adds that Francis’ sets are dance music heavy, but they also include rap, reggaeton and more, keeping the music “super diverse.”

His Wynn Nightlife residency includes XS Nightclub, Encore Beach Club and Encore Beach Club at Night. Francis adds that he feels he has created a name for himself through his residency. His recent style is house music, which is currently taking the dance music scene by storm in the United States. He says it’s fun to “test records and see what works and what doesn’t.” The Las Vegas crowd, he notes, is particularly good at reacting to how they feel about the music by either going to the bar to get a drink when they’re less into the music or staying on the dancefloor when they’re vibing with what’s being played.

As for his years of success, Francis thanks Wayne Crane, executive director of talent, and Jack Womack, director of artist and VIP relations, of Wynn Nightlife, adding that the people who work at the venue feel like “family.”

“The fact that it’s 10 years…it went by so fast and I still can’t process it,” Francis says. “The people are quality, the property is the best property in Vegas and the clubs are the best clubs in Vegas. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”