U2 Performs at the Sphere in Las Vegas during the 2024 #Grammys pic.twitter.com/JV6I6YskaT
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 5, 2024
Earlier this week, U2 performed ‘Atomic City’ during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, live from the Sphere in Las Vegas. For the first time ever, a performance of U2’s Sphere residency was professionally shot, including footage from several camera drones flying within the Sphere, fully showcasing its 160,000 sq ft wraparound LED display. In his introduction to the band’s performance, comedian and host of the awards Trevor Noah commented that this performance marked the first time that TV cameras have been allowed inside the Sphere. Watch this clip of the milestone performance from The Hollywood Reporter.
The following was originally published October 4, 2023:
The Sphere has officially opened, as U2 christened the venue with the inaugural performance of their “U2: UV Achtung Baby” residency. The star-studded event had world-class celebrities in attendance, including Paul McCartney, Oprah, Snoop Dogg, Jeff Bezos, and the family of the late Jimmy Buffett.
All accounts point to a spellbinding experience, with the venue’s cutting-edge audio and interior video keeping the sold-out audience mesmerized from start to finish.
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“Throughout the night, there were a plethora of attractive visuals — including kaleidoscope images, a burning flag and Las Vegas’ skyline, taking the more than 18,000 attendees on U2’s epic musical journey,” wrote the Alternative Press‘ Jonathan Landrum Jr. “‘What a fancy pad,’ said Bono, who was accompanied onstage with guitarists The Edge and Adam Clayton along with drummer Bram van den Berg. He then stared at the high-resolution LED screen that projected a larger version of himself along with a few praying hands and bells.”
Sphere Studios develops 120fps/18K camera system for Las Vegas Sphere
The night wouldn’t go off without a hitch, however, as “technical issues” forced the band to start the show a half hour late. Additionally, the display became stuck on one image for several minutes, before returning back to normal.
The New York Times’ review noted that the images on the enormous, wraparound LED display alternated between trippy, abstract visuals, and conventional concert close-ups of the band.
U2’s residency at the landmark, $2.3 billion venue will continue through December, though only a handful of shows have tickets left at this time.
