‘The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE’: Everything you need to know

On a warm Tuesday night, the blood of Interview with the Vampire fans ran hot as they gathered at the Beacon Theater in New York City Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE. In development for the AMC show is the highly anticipated third season, titled Vampire Lestat, Sam Reid pulled a KPop Demon Hunters move, performing live as his fictitious rock star, Lestat de Lioncourt.

Tickets for the event were free, available through a fan lottery that urged attendees to dress “rock star chic.” Mashable was there, surrounded by the Beautiful Unwell, as Lestat referred to his fans, who were dressed in black, dripping in candy and glitter, and hungry for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing the Prince of Brat live. But if you weren’t at the packed show, which boasted nearly 2,900 people, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you’ll want to know about it Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE – including how to see for yourself.

What was Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE like him?

Simply extraordinary. The night started with a red carpet, which included Interview with the Vampire cast members Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Assad Zaman, Eric Bogosian, Delainey Hayles, and Justin Kirk. There were also new additions of Vampire Lestat, including Jennifer Ehle, Damien Atkins, Ella Ballentine, Ryan Kattner, Sheila Atim, and Noah Reid.

As the red carpet auditions continued, a line of concertgoers wrapped around the block, waiting to get into the Beacon Theater. The crowd was amazingly dressed up in corsets, leather, lace, and various headgear in keeping with vampire pop culture. (This reporter liked ua The Lost Boys: New Music crop top, red teardrop earrings, black taffeta skirt, and porcelain Doc Martens, over a studded denim jacket, including Lestat’s.)

The energy was festive and fun. Inside, fans clamored for a look over the merch table, a bar with custom cocktails, and celebrity guests who came to catch a glimpse. I was happy to see the Boulet Brothers, gothic queens in charge Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, another AMC+ show.

Inside the theater, each seat had a swag bag for the attendees. And on the giant screen above the stage, a sizzle reel plays, teasingly Vampire Lestat and photos of a shirtless Reid moving and mugging for the camera.

Then there was a cry. As the red carpet ends, Interview with the VampireThe actors entered the theater through a side door, near the stage. The theater erupted with noise when Anderson entered. Next came Zaman, then Delainey. This is where being 5’2″ is a problem. I saw some of these arrivals, but as people stood up and pulled out their phones, I lost sight of the door and can’t tell for sure who else walked in during the show.

Daniel Hart, Hannah Moscovitch, Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Delainey Hayles, and Rolin Jones in “The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE.”
Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

After a brief introduction from an AMC representative about the upcoming premieres on June 7, the lights went down, and the big screen played the first episode Vampire Lestat. It’s called “Detroit.” And to find out more about that, I urge you to take a look in my review.

Obviously, since my review is going on before the concert, I had seen the episode before. But it definitely affects watching differently with thousands of other people cheering and screaming. Together, we laughed at Lestat’s wit and petty complaints. (He not like Daniel Malloy’s book!) We cheered as he played “Long Face” in front of the Detroit audience. We cried when he got into a brutal fight with a local “gang”. Once again, screams were heard as Anderson’s Louis appeared on screen for the first time. The same happened to Armand of Zaman and Daniel of Daniel.

The biggest reaction, however, came during the episode’s finale, when a new actress appeared: Jennifer Ehle who plays Gabrielle, Lestat’s mother and newborn. And just like that, the episode ended, and the curtain came up with the full cast awaiting Lestat’s arrival.

Sam Reid is amazing as Lestat.

Sam Reid performing on “The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE” with composer/songwriter Daniel Hart. Also, the Boulet Brothers present.
Credit: Mashable / Kristy Puchko

Accompanied on guitar by Daniel Hart, who wrote and composed the songs for Vampire Lestat, Reid took to the stage in character, wearing tight pants, showing off the swagger, and the scars on his chest, which are new details for the third season.

Reid’s stage persona evoked David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Steven Tyler, as she curled, squirmed, tossed her hair, tossed a scarf, and often sexted with a crooked laugh. At one point, he also did the shoulder shimmy that drove fans crazy in a Season 2 episode where Armand remembers seeing a vampire on stage, performing as a human Harlequin. The crowd caught the reference and roared their appreciation. At times, Reid reached out to his audience. He was crawling on the floor. He made us his own platform.

Two things Reid didn’t do that Lestat did Vampire Lestat: He didn’t dive on stage (which, considering the Beacon’s setup with its standing seats, would have been a serious safety issue), and he didn’t fly (which, considering several The Lost Boys producers and director Michael Arden were in the house, it seems like a distant possibility). Still, the short set he did was entertaining, and left the crowd cheering for an encore that sadly didn’t come. But could there be more in the future?

Will Lestat sing again?

At this time, AMC has not made any announcements regarding the continuation of the live broadcast. Mashable will report more as this story develops.

How can I see Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE?

Sam Reid in “The Vampire Lestat.”
Credit: AMC

AMC allowed attendees to record the concert on their phones, so there have been plenty of clips of the live performance on social media. And because the stage show was so well lit, even the pictures of the newborns look so beautiful. However, if you want to see the whole concert, you might be in luck.

When those attending the event entered, there was a placard warning them that by entering the premises they agreed to be photographed. Also, professional camera equipment was on stage with Reid and off, working on a crane. That all suggests that AMC is planning to release some form of this live show, perhaps on its own platform. After all, they currently have their Comic-Con panel on AMC+ to broadcast.

More on this as it develops.

What songs does Lestat play live?

Sam Reid in “The Vampire Lestat.”
Credit: AMC

A set list of Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE it was a mix of already released songs and unheard tracks.

The show opened with “Long Face,” the first original track released in the new season. Then, Reid played “The Big Bad Wolf.” Next, she put on a large fur coat – a nod to the wolf fur coat from the novel – “Your Biggest Fan.” The next song was an unreleased song called “The Loneliness,” then “Brutal Love,” which was Anderson teased the fans as his favorites. Finally, the show closed with a performance of “Butterscotch Bitch,” ie now streaming on Apple Music.

With a video from the Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE, visit My Instagram.

Were there freebies and swag?

On the left:
Credit: Kristy Puchko

Right:
What was free in “The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE”?
Credit: Kristy Puchko

Oh yes. Drink tickets allowed for a free cocktail, with names like The Dark Gift, Little Killer, and Brat Prince. Free popcorn comes in boxes with Lestat’s face on them.

On the seats, a black souvenir bag Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE with a large image symbol. Inside was a copy of Rolling Stonewith a back cover dedicated to Lestat. His band’s signature guitar pick was also in, along with a vinyl record of “Long Face” on Side A, and “Your Biggest Fan” on Side B.

If you missed this event and the free merchandise, you can head over to AMC to purchase yours.

How to view: Vampire Lestat debuts on AMC and AMC+ June 7, with new episodes every week.