I saw U2 at the Sphere in Las Vegas last night

[Mister Freeze]

It was the best concert I've ever seen. I haven't always been a U2 fan (I was more of a Slippery When Wet guy in 1987), but grew to appreciate them over time.

As a live act, they were incredible. Bono's voice is still there at 63. Band is tight. Fill-in drummer was perfect. (I might've liked him better than Larry Mullen, actually). The effects are going to set a new standard for the industry, and that's no exaggeration.

The screen is huge, had a 3D-feel at times. Sometimes there was a feeling of motion. Crystal clear. Different environments. Every big act is going to want to do this.

Setlist was great. It was based on Achtung Baby, but they didn't play the album in order and took a break from it to play other stuff halfway through.

[Nate S Axel]

That's awesome. I can't wait to check it out. EVERY early review I've read is raving about it -- many "best concert I've ever seen" posts like yours.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/ ... travaganza
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertai ... 008238007/
https://twitter.com/LasVegasLocally/sta ... 8396821660
https://twitter.com/LasVegasLocally/sta ... 5782531239

[Gibsonite]

For all the shit they get, and some of it much deserved, they have always been a phenomenal live act. I'm sure this show is amazing in person

[MetalSludgeCEO]

TUFF Live at The Vegas Sphere...

Our Sin City residency is slated for April... 15 shows, back-to-back!

Ready, Set, Go!

$tEvil

[Cindy Buzzedimisa]

Everyone's wondering so I'm just gonna ask. How much did that set you back? $1500 easy? Including parking and concessions.

[gtshark1]

TUFF Live at The Vegas Sphere...

Our Sin City residency is slated for April... 15 shows, back-to-back!

Ready, Set, Go!

$tEvil

I'd rather see this than U2

[Turner Coates]

I have a feeling most major artists are calling their managers today.

[LAglamrocker]

I can’t wait for 15 nights with Pearl Jam at The Sphere
Hopefully Chevy Metal opens and not Tuff

[Mister Freeze]

Everyone's wondering so I'm just gonna ask. How much did that set you back? $1500 easy? Including parking and concessions.

I got the ticket free through my business in a very rare situation. I saw some "cheap seats" on the resale market for under $300 (although maybe not on opening night). I know people who spent hundreds on tickets and some who paid well over a thousand for a pair. I think the resale market is going to spike after all the positive buzz.

There's a trend in Vegas in which big things open, but only offer minimal parking and let the surrounding casino garages handle the overflow. It happened with T-Mobile Arena, Allegiant Stadium and now the Sphere. It's going to happen again with the new baseball stadium. It's total bullshit. I took a rideshare last night and the traffic wasn't bad considering Vegas is a shitshow now with I-15/Tropicana construction and F1 prep. Although I just hopped out on the sidewalk instead of heading all the way to the designated dropoff spot.

Sphere's biggest flaw is handling the crowds. There's a bridge/hallway that connects to the Venetian and it's not enough to handle the pedestrian traffic. Afterwards, I skipped that and walked on the ground-level sidewalk back to the Strip - a sidewalk that's not designed for 15,000+ people at one time. People were spilling out onto the road. Not good.

Back to your question... parking at the Sphere itself begins at $100. The Venetian (and I think the Wynn) just introduced paid parking for their previously free garages. The sign at the Venetian/Palazzo garage had a flat rate posted of $30 or $50. Couldn't tell exactly.

My concession spending was limited to a bottle of water ($7) and a double-shot of reposado on the rocks with a splash of water. I forget the price. They had three levels for spirits: regular, premium, or ultra... and none were amazing picks for whiskey or tequila.

[LAglamrocker]

The Sphere is charging 30$ just to look at U2 merch..ha ha

[BernieTaupson]

I saw some clips. The visuals were incredible. Mind blowing.

Then you look down and there are four little ants on a tiny square holding instruments.

The band would seem to be somewhat of an afterthought.

Sit here and you can’t even barely see them :

https://youtu.be/OOg-nVlsde4?si=qOHMZdoZR37TL6En

[Nate S Axel]

Stop being lazy, make more money, and get better seats. Problem solved!

[Blumpkin King]

I saw some clips. The visuals were incredible. Mind blowing.

Then you look down and there are four little ants on a tiny square holding instruments.

The band would seem to be somewhat of an afterthought.

Sit here and you can’t even barely see them :

https://youtu.be/OOg-nVlsde4?si=qOHMZdoZR37TL6En

In all fairness those are probably $140 (all in) seats. Sure it's a lot more than the $20 for Dokken, but it's on a whole other level.

I'm going in two weeks and can't wait. I have GA ($260) for the first night and seats ($400) for the second). It is a lot, but they are one of my favorites (this will be U2 Shows 31 & 32 for me).

[Mister Freeze]

I'm going in two weeks and can't wait. I have GA ($260) for the first night and seats ($400) for the second). It is a lot, but they are one of my favorites (this will be U2 Shows 31 & 32 for me).

What section/row are you in for the second show? I'm hearing more complaints about some seats in the 100 section having limited views of the screen. Regardless, you'll have a BLAST in the GA area.

The only chatter I've seen about the effects overwhelming the band is from people who weren't there. Any performer is going to look smaller on a camera phone than in person. Same deal in an arena... and worse in a stadium. The screen is said to be 16K, so when footage of the band is shown, the images are huge and crystal clear for those in the upper decks.

[BernieTaupson]

Why do you post in obnoxious big text like that? If you can’t read your own posts increase the magnification of the entire board on your browser so you can read everything properly! Your posts look like the inside of the fuckin Sphere!

[uwec95]

The backdrop when they performed "Where the Streets Have No Name" looks amazing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3IwdwXbmlw

[daveg]

That looks cool and all, but doesn't seem like an actual concert.

[pieceofme]

On the way back from the concert did your wife request to listen to more KISS music?

[ParaDime77]

Sales of psychedelics have to be through the roof for this venue. The trip has to be beyond nuts.

[vernomatic]

That looks cool and all, but doesn't seem like an actual concert.

I was thinking the same thing. Its like when you were a kid and you would go to the space planetarium and look at the stars and be mesmerized.

[LAglamrocker]

Don’t worry when U2 plays Bakersfield you can have same experience like every other show for decades

The Sphere is unique and fun
Hope The Sphere has balls to book Rammstein

Be cool when GNR gets booked or John 5 Crue..screens will be filled with sluts- boobs- booze…not hipster U2 light show

[Nate S Axel]

The Sphere is still hiring too... custodian, retail lead, ticket seller, etc. Maybe Donnie Vie can get a job there so he can afford vitamins and water.

https://jobs.msgsphere.com/sphere/jobs? ... d%20States

[Mister Freeze]

Why do you post in obnoxious big text like that? If you can’t read your own posts increase the magnification of the entire board on your browser so you can read everything properly! Your posts look like the inside of the fuckin Sphere!

Why are you suddenly spamming the board with your orangutan bullshit? And why do your posts sound suspiciously like another Sludge moron?

[Mister Freeze]

On the way back from the concert did your wife request to listen to more KISS music?

Wife skipped this one. She was at home with the doggies watching Wednesday and Riverdale on Netflix.

Listening to KISS is a "small doses" experience for her.

[chungasrevenge]

Problem going forward is there's limited amount of acts who can pull it off and create a unique show. Need to be able to move 200K or so tickets, commit a couple of years in advance, and create the video content. U2 were given $10 million for video in contract but their deal was obviously sweeter for the launch. It can't really house single night shows as the Vegas stop on regular tour. McCartney was supposedly at U2 and could sell the tickets, but someone like him or the Stones would seem to be lost with the video aspect. How may tongue logos or stage footage can you flash there? The show is only as good as the video.

Could see someone like Metallica planning now for 2025 or 2026. Looks like Harry Styles and Phish are next for 2024. They're probably just waiting until Taylor Swift accepts a billion for a couple of years of shows.

[DiamondDog]

Why do you post in obnoxious big text like that? If you can’t read your own posts increase the magnification of the entire board on your browser so you can read everything properly! Your posts look like the inside of the fuckin Sphere!

Why are you suddenly spamming the board with your orangutan bullshit? And why do your posts sound suspiciously like another Sludge moron?

Definitely got a Heenan vibe there.

[Whatever Happened To…]

Waste of a great screen. I'd use it for porn and watching Decline.

[MetalSludgeCEO]

Problem going forward is there's limited amount of acts who can pull it off and create a unique show. Need to be able to move 200K or so tickets, commit a couple of years in advance, and create the video content. U2 were given $10 million for video in contract but their deal was obviously sweeter for the launch. It can't really house single night shows as the Vegas stop on regular tour. McCartney was supposedly at U2 and could sell the tickets, but someone like him or the Stones would seem to be lost with the video aspect. How may tongue logos or stage footage can you flash there? The show is only as good as the video.

Could see someone like Metallica planning now for 2025 or 2026. Looks like Harry Styles and Phish are next for 2024. They're probably just waiting until Taylor Swift accepts a billion for a couple of years of shows.

"""""""""""""""""Problem going forward is there's limited amount of acts who can pull it off and create a unique show. """""""""""""""""""""""""

There is NO problem with that, it's Las Vegas.

Aside from your standard rock concert of music, there will end up being plays, orchestras, Blue Man Group type shows, Circus Soleil and more.

There are also acts or events, that are a perfect fit, for Vegas... like they've been having all kinds of groups do a Residency, for a week or two.

Pop stars, rappers, Ramstein, Gaga, Pink, Gn'R, Sting, Mana', Journey, the list is endless... there will be no problem filling the calendar.

However.. soon there will be a Spehere type venue in Tokyo, ,London, Paris, Dubai, Mexico City and more.

$tEvil

[Turner Coates]

Problem going forward is there's limited amount of acts who can pull it off and create a unique show.
The show is only as good as the video.

[Nate S Axel]

There is NO problem with that, it's Las Vegas.

Aside from your standard rock concert of music, there will end up being plays, orchestras, Blue Man Group type shows, Circus Soleil and more.

Exactly. It's going to host ~600 events per year -- concerts, movies, performances, etc.

https://twitter.com/VitalVegas/status/1 ... 96/photo/2
https://news3lv.com/news/local/the-worl ... gas-sphere