By Betsy Clarke

U2 inside the Sphere. Photo credit: Patricia Clarke

On September 29, 2023, the Irish rock band U2 opened the Sphere to the public in Las Vegas, Nevada. 366 feet high, 516 feet wide, and with over 17,500 seats, Sphere is now the world’s largest spherical structure. This building is not a typical concert venue. Along with its abnormally large size, it contains interior and exterior LED screens surrounding the entirety of the dome. The Sphere was originally announced in February

2018 by the company MSG Entertainment, an American sports holding company which owns a variety of venues, such as Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall in New York City, and The Chicago Theatre. The Sphere is now co-owned by the Sphere Entertainment Company. Because it is connected to The Venetian Resort Complex, the building is easily accessible to guests staying in the resort. The complex is located directly east of the Las Vegas Strip and is surrounded by city life. 

Sphere’s lobby. Photo credit: Patricia Clarke.

The unusual structure of this building brings tourists and concert-goers into a seemingly alternate reality. Concert experiences at Sphere do not begin once the band gets on stage but rather the moment you step foot in the building. The instant you walk through the doors of the Sphere, you are greeted by a real life robot, Aura, already displaying the usage of the new technology, and the lobby is filled with an impressive array of colored lights.

All day and night, the exterior screen remains on and lights up the city. The screen is mostly used for advertisements of any sort. Although it costs roughly $45,000 a day, companies are still eager to advertise themselves on The Sphere’s large outdoor screen. The exterior screen has advertised various shows, companies, and brands. Starting on September 25, 2023, the Sphere partnered with Dreamworks Animation to promote the new Trolls Band Together movie. The exterior screen lit up the sky with images of the Trolls’ characters and the movie’s release date. Sphere has also advertised for Mercedes-Benz, Adidas, Verizon, and more, which have all contributed to the 167 million dollars profit that Sphere made in its first month. 

Photo credit: Patricia Clarke.

My parents, Steve and Patricia Clarke, have always been avid U2 fans, so when they heard about their favorite band performing live at Sphere, they immediately tried to get tickets. They successfully booked a trip to Las Vegas, where they stayed in the Venetian Resort and attended the U2 concert on October 11. Although Nevada is a long way to travel for a concert, getting to see the legendary singer Bono perform in such an immersive and technological atmosphere was an experience that they could not pass up. Prior to seeing U2 at Sphere, my parents had seen them live a few times, and both agreed that seeing them at Sphere was a completely different experience.

U2 lead singer: Bono Photo credit: Patricia Lyons.

While Steve had no complaints about the concert other than the price of the tickets, Patricia preferred seeing U2 at Madison Square Garden. She still enjoyed the performance but said, “we were on the first tier instead of standing on the floor, so everyone in our section sat for the whole concert, unlike other venues, where everyone stands.” The severe slant of the stadium seating in Sphere, and the added screen extending in front and above you, make it so most people sit during the performance. Additionally, rows 30 and higher have obstructed views by the overhang, making it difficult to see the screen. 

While the enormous screen is an impressive display of modern technology, Patricia pointed out how it took away from the set. She stated, “There was no set design; it was essentially a black stage, because the screen occupied all of the decorations, differently from other U2 concerts with elaborate lit-up set designs.” Despite these few complaints, Patricia still loved the experience and enjoyed many other aspects of Sphere, such as the scenic lobby. She described the lobby as “psychedelic and moody” and said, “U2 had an electronic version of their music playing, which was an interesting change.” 

Alternatively, Steve preferred U2’s performance in Sphere to other U2 concerts. He described his experience as “very chill, and the screen added a whole new element, as the images were all metaphors and interpretations of the lyrics.” Performances at Sphere are an evident change from typical concerts, yet some people prefer this nontraditional form of a show. 

Photo credit: Patricia Clarke.

Sphere has undoubtedly introduced a new realm of performances containing modern technology and is continuing to change the future of concert experiences. On March 2, U2 closed their residency at Sphere, but jamband Phish will play four shows there in April, and starting on May 16, Dead & Company will perform the first of their 24 shows at the Sphere. The band was formed in 2015 and consists of former Grateful Dead members. While fans and Dead Heads are ecstatic about the news of Dead & Company performing at Sphere, ticket prices are raising complaints among the public, with general admission tickets costing around $360. Despite these soaring prices, fans are still willing to spend the money to experience a night in the Sphere.