I just went to the most amazing concert at the Las Vegas Sphere featuring the Irish band U2. Having graduated in the 80’s, U2 were a big part of my teenage years and I am a huge fan. It was a blast singing along to songs I have known for decades. Even more astonishing was the Sphere. If you don’t know what the Las Vegas Sphere is, read on to find out.

The Las Vegas Sphere is the Newest Venue on the Strip

Behind the Venetian Hotel, rises a massive orb named the Sphere. You can’t miss the 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide structure even from the air. The outside of the building, the Exosphere, contains over one million LEDs which project images day and night. Part of the fun of the attraction is seeing what the Exosphere transforms into hourly. While I was there, it was a blood-red eyeball, on fire and a swirl of clouds.

A Totally Immersive Experience Awaits You Inside

From the moment you walk through the doors of the Las Vegas Sphere, you feel as you have been transported into a futuristic world. The walls appear to glow blue and geometric shapes hang from the ceiling. I hear there are robots to meet, but I did not encounter any.

The theater holds 18,000 seats with room for 20,000 to stand in the pit. The highlight is a giant wraparound LED screen reaching over 250 feet high. Touted as the world’s largest high-resolution LED screen, the imagery is mind-blowing. At one point, the “sky” turned blue, and I truly thought I was sitting outside.

Other high-tech features include a sound system with over 167,000 speakers, the ability to introduce scents, wind, hot or cold and chairs that vibrate or rock. This creates a totally immersive experience for all attendees.

U2 Were Awesome!

Of course, the best part of my trip was seeing U2 in concert. They did not disappoint. The residency is called U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere, so they played Achtung Baby in its entirety. Some of my favorites off the album include Even Better Than The Real Thing, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World and One. They sounded spectacular.

They put the baby to sleep and moved on to showcasing more of their hits. I danced to Where the Streets Have No Name, All I Want is You, With or Without You, Desire and I Still Haven’t Found What I Am Looking For. My understanding is that the set list is different each night. Makes sense when you consider all of the music they have created. Bono, The Edge and Adam Clayton continue to be the epitome of cool in my book (Larry Mullen Jr. is sitting this tour out).

What made the audience gasp though was the magnificent images behind and above the band. The colors were brilliant. Videos of current-day Vegas turned into pristine desert. Insects dotted the sky. Each band member floated across the screen. You have to see it to believe it. Pictures don’t do it justice.

U2 is playing at the Las Vegas Sphere through March 2, 2024. Tickets are not inexpensive, but may be purchased on Ticketmaster. I loved the show!

More Events at the Las Vegas Sphere

Besides U2’s residency, the Sphere Experience is another way to enjoy the Las Vegas Sphere. The two-hour show begins in the Atrium with holographic art installations, interactive robots, avatar capture and more. Then, it moves into the theatre for Darren Aronofsky’s Postcards From Earth, a 50-minute movie.

The movie is interactive. Special effects may include moving seats, flashing lights, fog, scent and wind to enhance the images on screen. It is a multi-sensory adventure.

The band Phish has announced four shows in April. Each show promises to be unique with different song sets and accompanying visuals each night. I have heard rumors of a UFC Fight coming to the Sphere next year too.

Expect more concerts and events to be posted soon.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind About the Las Vegas Sphere

• The address of the Sphere is 255 Sands Ave., Las Vegas. You can enter through the Plaza Entry from Sands Avenue or Westchester Drive. I got a little lost trying to accomplish that. Luckily, you can go into the Venetian and follow well marked signs to the Sphere. There was even a bar along the way.
• No big bags allowed ladies, so bring your small purses and clutches.
• It’s a cashless venue. Drinks and food are available for purchase. It’s not cheap, but not the most expensive I have seen either.
• Parking is super pricey, so avoid it. Walk or take a ride share service.
• Hotels near enough the Sphere to walk include Wynn, Treasure Island, the Venetian, the Palazzo, Harrah’s, the Linq and the Mirage. Each is less than a 30-minute walk away.
• It is steep inside the theatre. You might want to avoid high heels.

Have you been to the Las Vegas Sphere? Tell me about what you thought in the comment section below.

Acrisure Arena is the spot to see a great concert in the Coachella Valley. Read about it here.