On September 28, 2023 while we were on vacation in Las Vegas, the new Sphere opened with a concert by U2. This amazing looking venue is the world’s largest spherical structure in the world and shows off video and still images both inside and outside the structure in stunning detail.
Pretty rad watching @Xbox and our games taking over the @SphereVegas from home tonight! 💚🙅🏼♂️🔮 pic.twitter.com/ohM3ephPYh
— Aaron Greenberg 🙅🏼♂️💚U (@aarongreenberg) October 20, 2023
Sony, not to be outdone, countered by advertising Spider-Man 2, a PS5 exclusive (see: ) that launched Friday 10/20/2023:
Two Spideys have taken over @SphereVegas.
Marvel’s #SpiderMan2PS5 is out now on PS5. #BeGreaterTogether pic.twitter.com/dIrcr9LK4R
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) October 21, 2023
Yes, Sphere is also a giant popup-ad in Vegas. Only in Vegas, at this time, but they are planning on opening a Sphere in England as well. More details about the Sphere can be found via Wikipedia Sphere entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphere_(venue)
The Sphere’s interior is equipped with a 16K resolution wraparound LED screen, measuring 160,000 sq ft (15,000 m2). It is the largest and highest-resolution LED screen in the world. The exterior of the venue features 580,000 sq ft (54,000 m2) of LED display space,[10][73] which can feature holiday themes, with the Sphere depicting a Halloween jack-o’-lantern or a Christmas snow globe, for instance. The exterior is also used for advertising.[74] Both the interior and exterior screens were manufactured by SACO Technologies, a Canadian company specializing in LED video displays and lighting.
The Sphere features a spatial audio system based on Holoplot’s X1 speaker module, which uses beamforming and wave field synthesis technologies and is equipped with 96 drivers each. The sound system comprises 1,600 X1 speakers that are installed behind the LED panels, along with 300 mobile modules, for a total of 167,000 speaker drivers. The sound system also can deliver sound through the floorboards. 4D features, including scent and wind, can be used.
Additionally, 10,000 of the 18,000+ seats are haptic-enabled. Not certain if they are full-on haptic chairs like D-BOX or 4DX (related, see: Yowsa! $2,299 USD for the World’s First Haptic Gaming Chair) but there are some kind of haptics included. Not sure how to feel about moving and shaking more than the rhythm of a live concert with additional haptics, but it’s definitely something this author would like to experience firsthand.
We did not visit the Sphere while we were in Vegas, but it’s definitely something we want to see when we return next time.
UPDATE 11/8/2023 @ 4:50pm PST: Trouble in Sphere paradise! Q12023 the Sphere reported an operating loss of nearly $100 million dollars and the CFO quit via The Las Vegas Sun: “The New York Post reported Tuesday that Ranji [CFO] suddenly quit after a bout of yelling and screaming from CEO James Dolan.”
UPDATE 1/8/2024 @ 8:05pm PST: Sounds like bad business deals favoring the talent and not an equitable split for the venue might be part of the current and potential future Sphere’s financial woes.
There seems to be one big issue with booking— money. According to the New York Post, James Dolan and MSG Entertainment guaranteed 90% of the earnings from their ticket sales to U2. They also reportedly paid $10 million for U2 and its team to produce the show.
The Sphere Struggling With Next Residency Because Of U2 Money (brobible.com)
90% of ticket sales + $10 million?!!?! Yikes.
UPDATE 1/15/2024 @ 12:10pm PST: Price of admission has been increased at the Sphere for the ‘Postcards From Earth’ event. Maybe the original admission price was introductory?
The worst seats at the Sphere cost $79. Most tickets hover around $119. And that doesn’t include fees.
A family of four cannot see ‘Postcard From Earth’ for less than $300. That is the get-in price for terrible seats without parking and concessions.
Ticket Prices Skyrocket At The Sphere As Financial Questions Swirl (brobible.com)
If it becomes price prohibitive, that’s not going to help.