Metal Sludge Gossip Board

I saw an announcement that Kenny Chesney is up next at The Sphere. I don't know much about him, except he seemed more popular during the Garth Brooks era. U2 was first, yes? Have they had a "good song" in 20 years? Then that Grateful Dead band? I wouldn't go see any of them if they were performing in my basement. The spectacle of The Sphere is the draw. These artists are less so but benefit from a packed house in a cool venue in an entertainment city.

Anyone been there or to a show there with an opinion?

probably. Flavor of the month

TooOldToCare wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 5:15 am I saw an announcement that Kenny Chesney is up next at The Sphere. I don't know much about him, except he seemed more popular during the Garth Brooks era. U2 was first, yes? Have they had a "good song" in 20 years? Then that Grateful Dead band? I wouldn't go see any of them if they were performing in my basement. The spectacle of The Sphere is the draw. These artists are less so but benefit from a packed house in a cool venue in an entertainment city.

Anyone been there or to a show there with an opinion?

Does your basement have a wet bar?

Danzig in the Dark wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:19 am

TooOldToCare wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 5:15 am I saw an announcement that Kenny Chesney is up next at The Sphere. I don't know much about him, except he seemed more popular during the Garth Brooks era. U2 was first, yes? Have they had a "good song" in 20 years? Then that Grateful Dead band? I wouldn't go see any of them if they were performing in my basement. The spectacle of The Sphere is the draw. These artists are less so but benefit from a packed house in a cool venue in an entertainment city.

Anyone been there or to a show there with an opinion?

Does your basement have a wet bar?

Not officially. It's a basement with a bunch of fitness stuff and storage. Band used to rehearse there, and it had beverages then. No band. No beverages.

I saw Dead & Company at The Sphere last year. It was incredible and I'll be going again in March.

The venue fits some bands better than others.

Kenny Chesney, The Eagles and U2 have never really been bands that used visuals all that much.

Dead & Company and Phish at that venue appears as though it made a lot more sense.

I could see bands like Tool, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails and others being a good fit. Some prog stuff could end up being pretty good.

Country bands, straight up rock bands or mainstream pop seems pointless, a complete waste of the venue.

TooOldToCare wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:21 am

Danzig in the Dark wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:19 am

TooOldToCare wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 5:15 am I saw an announcement that Kenny Chesney is up next at The Sphere. I don't know much about him, except he seemed more popular during the Garth Brooks era. U2 was first, yes? Have they had a "good song" in 20 years? Then that Grateful Dead band? I wouldn't go see any of them if they were performing in my basement. The spectacle of The Sphere is the draw. These artists are less so but benefit from a packed house in a cool venue in an entertainment city.

Anyone been there or to a show there with an opinion?

Does your basement have a wet bar?

Not officially. It's a basement with a bunch of fitness stuff and storage. Band used to rehearse there, and it had beverages then. No band. No beverages.

I wouldn't see the Dead or U2 there either, then.

I'd go for the experience. Kinda like going to the Heart Attack Grill.

Danzig in the Dark wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:26 am

TooOldToCare wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:21 am

Danzig in the Dark wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:19 am

Does your basement have a wet bar?

Not officially. It's a basement with a bunch of fitness stuff and storage. Band used to rehearse there, and it had beverages then. No band. No beverages.

I wouldn't see the Dead or U2 there either, then.

There is a garden hose attached to a spigot near the sump pump if that's your thing.

Probably a bit of both, but you won't see any artists that can't already sell out multiple nights in a normal arena or shed playing there. As a few people have pointed out, the venue probably better suits artists with a reputation for incorporating great and/or innovative visuals into their shows.

Yes. Next time I'm in Vegas I'm for sure going to The Sphere, regardless of who it is.

CrankerBait wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:42 am Probably a bit of both, but you won't see any artists that can't already sell out multiple nights in a normal arena or shed playing there. As a few people have pointed out, the venue probably better suits artists with a reputation for incorporating great and/or innovative visuals into their shows.

Maybe it's partially a mindset. For instance, I'd rather see one of the visual shows (no bands) they've had there than sit through 2 hours of U2 music. From YouTube, the perspectives are strange. Everything I've seen, the bands look like ants and everyone looks far away. It probably isn't like that, but to take in the entire sphere video, you'd have to have a wide angle view.

Just a curiosity thread since for me, the artists have been pretty blah.

Enuff Z Nuff/Jizzy Pearl doing 7 nights at The Sphere in August!!! Prime Vegas booking! For the summer!! People are going to The Sphere just for the experience! 19000 every night!

Kenny country guy? Who is that..oh yea the dude that fills stadiums people just going for The Sphere

Lobo wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:22 am
Country bands, straight up rock bands or mainstream pop seems pointless, a complete waste of the venue.

I take it you don't wanna eat some cactus and watch these melt onscreen.

Lobo wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:22 am
I could see bands like Tool, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails and others being a good fit. Some prog stuff could end up being pretty good.

I was thinking of NIN, too. It's been a minute since I've seen them. I won't say the band that is known for their visuals since they are no more. Queen had a very visual show in 2018(?), but I don't think they'll tour anymore. I know nothing and am too lazy to search. I'm not into it, but I could see some EDM stuff going over.

Pearl Jam is doing The Sphere!
The Sphere is going have sprinklers on raining from the top with wind machine. It’s going be best experience ever to see Pearl Jam! I’m coming! Maybe all 14 nights

Will Jeremy shoot himself on the big screen?

Pat Benatar( Lita Ford vocals)/ Sebastian Bach/ Rockett Mafia
Doing The Sphere in 2025!!!! 19000 per night!
People are coming for the experience!!!
WOW!!!!
Is this the Metal Sludge Extravaganza return? It’s BIG

Lobo wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:22 am
U2 have never really been bands that used visuals all that much.

I've got to MAJORLY disagree on this. I'm no big U2 fan, I can kind of take or leave them, but they've been doing massive Stadium gigs for over thirty years, basically ever since Actung Baby went over huge.

They completely make sense to play at the Sphere, but you're right, Kenny Chesney and the Eagles don't make sense at all. Garth Brooks would make a lot more sense, given his performance history and all the production his shows had.

Seen the Sphere from rooms at Ballys, Vdara, and Cosmo. Sooo impressive from a distance, less so from the cliser bridge by Venetian. Would go inside for a band I like. The Earth show sounds a bit dull. U2 may have good visuals but the music sucks, don't know much Dead stuff. A decent view room and a bottle is better yhan seeing just any band in there.

I want to see a video of an 80s package playing to 300 people in The Sphere, like one of those corndog festivals. As I said earlier, I think NIN is the only band I can think of where I'd enjoy the show and the sphere. I'm also easily bored. Not sure why. So, after the first 15 minutes of really cool visuals, I might not care. I'd stand outside for free and watch whatever happens outside.

yes they are and yes its well worth it

i was in vegas for the stones in may so i said fuck it and saw the dead with a few buddies...cant name a single song, lyric, anything, never cared for them, their fans, or john mayer
and it was one of the best live experiences ive EVER had

just got back again and saw Anyma there on NYE (id be shocked if a single person on this board even knows who he is) , an artist i actually really like and listen to already, and it was indescribably mind blowing

go

I don't like bigger shows (stadium or arena). Vastly prefer theater or club shows where you can be closer to the artists and really see the musical communication. This means it needs to NOT be programmed music, too.

IREEKOFAWESUMNES wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 12:13 pm yes they are and yes its well worth it

i was in vegas for the stones in may so i said fuck it and saw the dead with a few buddies...cant name a single song, lyric, anything, never cared for them, their fans, or john mayer
and it was one of the best live experiences ive EVER had

just got back again and saw Anyma there on NYE (id be shocked if a single person on this board even knows who he is) , an artist i actually really like and listen to already, and it was indescribably mind blowing

go

no its not worth it. where did u get all the money for that bullshit? poor people are strugglin' and ur goin' to the Sphere??!!

Does a bear shit in the woods?

I went to the sphere without a band playing just to see the sphere. It was OK. We’ve had an Omnimax here since forever so it wasn’t really much different.

Saw the Dead there and just as others have said, it was unbelievably mind blowing.

I think established and wealthy old bands with rabid fan bases and who don’t want to tour anymore will be the ones who can do it. I think some sort of Pink Floyd reunion would do bonkers there. I can see a future with Metallica setting up camp there for a Fall/October residency and doing some creepy Halloween gothic visuals.

I think the problem is it is expensive to put on a show there and produce all those visuals, so they have to charge a lot per ticket. There are only so many artists who can do this and have people sell it out each night.

It wouldn’t take much to convince me to see a show there because the place itself is incredible. I saw the Darren Aronofsky thing there last year. But spending $400 to watch Eagles sit still and lipsync? Even Sammy who sounded great opening for Metallica last month, of all acts to put in that venue. I don’t get it.

REO Cokewagon wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 3:26 am

IREEKOFAWESUMNES wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 12:13 pm yes they are and yes its well worth it

i was in vegas for the stones in may so i said fuck it and saw the dead with a few buddies...cant name a single song, lyric, anything, never cared for them, their fans, or john mayer
and it was one of the best live experiences ive EVER had

just got back again and saw Anyma there on NYE (id be shocked if a single person on this board even knows who he is) , an artist i actually really like and listen to already, and it was indescribably mind blowing

go

no its not worth it. where did u get all the money for that bullshit? poor people are strugglin' and ur goin' to the Sphere??!!

sounds like youre fucking broke #1...and never went #2...yea everyone take this guys baseless advice lol

I bet Bret Michaels Party Gras could top tier guests if he got booked there.

The Today Explained episode is interesting

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o ... 0681172857

I saw U2 there, it was alright, glad I went but barring the Rolling Stones or something not sure I would be spending hundreds to go again.

There are a few factors that are working against The Sphere:

It has to be a residency. How many residency's are there in Vegas in one year? Add in the fact that the visual aspect makes it kind of a niche thing.

The usual pop acts don't really matter. Can you jack up prices because of The Sphere? Do Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Elton John, Celine Dion or Brittany Spears fans really care about the venue etc? Billie Eilish, Katy Perry etc? Do GnR fans even really care about the visual aspect?

I feel like most bands/artists that would fit in here are just too damn old, split apart or completely gone altogether. The typical psychedelic or prog acts.

Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, YES, Rush, Genesis, etc.

Yeah, most acts could do a 4 date run and do pretty well.

But, how many acts could do 12 dates over 4 weekends (3 shows a weekend) and sell out? Again, it's not a tour. They are relying on fans coming to them.

I think Tool could do some dates and do well, same with Metallica, NIN, Oasis? Radiohead?

Paul McCartney, David Gilmour, maybe The Who? But again, these three acts have one foot in the grave.