2023-10-02 09:10:21
In July 2023, “The Sphere” became a global phenomenon thanks to videos showing impressive animations on its exterior storefront. On September 29, 2023, the first concert “of the future” took place indoors, in a hall with 18,000 seats and a giant screen with a definition of 16K by 16K.
Have you ever dreamed of attending a concert in a room filled with 167,000 speakers?
Can you imagine that this same room, in addition to offering “studio” quality to all spectators, was in reality a giant sphere, entirely covered with screens? Your answer is probably no, but this futuristic concert hall was inaugurated on September 29 in Las Vegas.
As Las Vegas is accustomed to, the concert hall will first be reserved for “resident” artists, who will occupy the Sphere exclusively (this is logical, since it is necessary to prepare a special concert to exploit the Big screen). The group U2 has signed for 25 dates which are likely to become the major attraction of Las Vegas in the coming weeks (until December 19, unless extended). Tickets cost between $500 and $1,500.
Virtual reality without a headset
Visually, the images circulating are absolutely impressive. U2 seems to be able to teleport from one landscape to another, taking the audience with them. You would swear that the concert does not take place in a traditional hall, but in a virtual reality experience. The illusion is perfect, with screens even covering the ceiling, giving the impression that the show is taking place outdoors.
the visuals during this U2 gig at the Las Vegas Sphere are truly impressive pic.twitter.com/EohKvPnxHz
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) September 30, 2023
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In an article published on Variety, the U2 teams talk about how difficult it was to put this concert together. It took months to prepare visuals capable of covering the 268,435,456 pixels of the Sphere, which obviously have no equivalent on the planet. It is stated that one minute of video designed for the Sphere is “technically equivalent to 1 hour of television”without forgetting the unique sound experience, which gives the impression that “U2 plays in his living room”.
111 meters high and 157 meters wide, the Sphere is set to become the most famous concert hall on the planet. Its creators dream of seeing it organize shows 365 days a year and already imagine it in numerous films, where it could illustrate “concerts of the future”. While waiting for other artists to become interested in it (even if Harry Styles could be next after The Las Vegas Review Journal), the Sphere will broadcast the film Postcard From Earth by Darren Aronofsky whenever U2 is away. It also promises an experience worthy of virtual reality, with breathtaking images.
The objective for the Sphere operators is to attract as many people as possible at all times. The Sphere is not only the new premier concert venue, it is also the new landmark Las Vegas attraction.
The U2 x Las Vegas Sphere show took two years to create and will make ~$270m.
In Fall 2021, the band was approached to open the $2.3B mega-structure (with a capacity of 18k).
Willie Williams — U2’s creative director since the early 1980s — initially thought it was a “terrible… pic.twitter.com/XawLcmhSpk
— Trung Phan (@TrungTPhan) October 1, 2023
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By agreeing to be guinea pigs for the Sphere, the U2 group took a risk that could pay off. It could make $260 million in revenue over 25 dates, assuming the average ticket purchase price is $600 (it’s probably more). Certainly, his show was difficult to prepare, but U2 had flair in agreeing to produce the show “U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere”.
Outside, remember that The Sphere is also a screen. Permanently lit, it broadcasts ultra-realistic animations that attract all passers-by. There are a total of 54,000 m2 of LED panels around the object, making it one of the craziest technological buildings on the planet. And undoubtedly also one of the most electricity-intensive, but that’s another story…
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#images #concert #gigantic #Sphere #Las #Vegas #crazy