The soul of The King

On September 19, 2026, experience Elvis's comeback and Vegas years live. Franz Goovaerts, one of the world's most respected Elvis performers, created a brand-new show especially for The Viage: Viva Las Vegas: The Elvis Story. Not a tribute concert, not an impression, Franz brings the soul of The King back to life.

Elvis fan Franz Goovaerts insists on not being called an impersonator. He has spent decades touring the world as one of its most respected Elvis performers. With success: in 2006 he won the title of World Grand Champion in Memphis at the renowned Images of the King Contest. Before that, he had already collected an impressive string of awards across Europe and the United States.

1968 Comeback

On September 19, he brings that lifelong conviction to The Viage with Viva Las Vegas: The Elvis Story, a brand-new show reimagining Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback and his Las Vegas years. In his own words: "What I wanted to create with this concert is something you don't see on stage today. Usually you end up with a bland impersonation. What I wanted to do here was a concert with a certain re-orchestration of certain songs. In the first part, we go through the '68 Comeback, with songs like A Little Less Conversation and If I Can Dream. That's followed by a tribute to the fifties, including That's All Right, Mama."

"What I want to achieve is that Elvis fans don't just find themselves at some random concert, however good it might be. This is a tribute of love to Elvis."

"First and foremost, I'm an Elvis fan myself. I don't want to be unique. Elvis was unique. But I do want to make an exceptional concert," he continues. "That's why this isn't a tribute concert, nor a cover concert. It's a reinterpretation, and the wish to feel how Elvis would have loved to sing it. That's my view as an Elvis fan, for more than thirty-five years now. The show shows a fan speaking to fans, not an impersonator putting on an act. Fans will see the soul of Elvis."

Las Vegas

After the intermission, Franz takes the audience to Las Vegas. To capture the right vibe, he and his guitarist, Emmanuel Picardi, put together a superb band. For this occasion, they've assembled a lead guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, and pianist, complemented by three to four backing vocalists and, of course, a horn section, exactly what Elvis had in Las Vegas: from 1968 onward, he was backed by a full band. So for the Las Vegas segment, Franz wanted it to hit hard, ring in your ears, raise goosebumps, and bring tears to your eyes. Songs like In the Ghetto and Sweet Caroline make an appearance, alongside beautiful songs that are rarely performed but beloved by Elvis fans — like It's Midnight, a song Elvis himself adored but which is seldom sung because it's so powerful. And then there are the gospel songs.

Reunion

This concert will be a reunion, a family gathering. That's what Elvis fans need, says Franz. "We need to come together. I need a concert that pays tribute to the man I love, not one where I'm trying to be the star of the evening."

You won't get any closer to Elvis than this. On September 19, The Viage becomes the place to be for anyone who loves Elvis, even just a little. Get your tickets here, quickly!

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