U2 Live at Sphere in Las Vegas
Chapters: Achtung Baby Live • Concert Videos • General Admission • Zoo Station at the Venetian • The V-U2 Experience • Sphere Experience and Postcard from Earth • Vegas Legends • Venetian and Tao Beach • Vegas, Baby! • Epilogue: Sun Studio
The Mattsonian's Video Collection
Nothing compares to being there live, but these videos provide a small taste — a delicious morsel — of what it's like. The year that's followed U2's run of shows at Sphere has been a difficult one, personally, facing challenges unlike any I've experienced before. Roaming through the Mattsonian's vast library of Sphere videos, though, was a tremendous source of joy. This is a band I care about deeply and presenting these videos here is an effort to share that joy with the world.
I was at show #1 and show #40, plus 10 shows in between. What U2 and their longtime production designer, Willie Williams, did at Sphere was nothing short of astonishing. They introduced Sphere to the world, the first band to perform in the venue which boasts an entirely new way of experiencing live events (specifically concert and theatrical events; it's not intended for live sports).
I was floored to hear during a Live Design webinar with Willie Williams the band — going rather old school — was anxious to see some reviews the morning after the first show. They had no idea how it all went, how the show would be received.
Mindblowing.
The first shows were phenomenal, no doubt. But. Wow. I look at the last three shows as very significant events for me personally; they're elevated to a rarified level of special. The filming of the show for what is now V-U2, now playing on select dates at Sphere (I can spot myself on the screen). Chatting with Bono's cousin, A.J., while hanging out "on the rail." The band performing an alternate version of Don't Dream It's Over provided to Bono by Crowded House's Neil Finn after he heard about U2 covering the song and dedicating it to Alexei Navalny. Daniel Lanois joining the band on-stage for One. Being cleansed by Bono's water "spit splash" during Until the End of the World. The encore of 40 at the end of the 40th show.
And... choking back the excitement and the emotion... Larry Mullen, Jr., in the house!
Plus, I was surrounded by some cool folks. One woman even recorded a video of me singing a song before the show. Yikes. If that's ever released to the public, my reputation will be destroyed forever. (I have no idea what that reputation is, though. So. Whatever.)
Thinking about all these things is good for the soul. So is watching these videos.
The Fly at Sphere
29 September and 21 October U2023
With or Without You at Sphere
5 October U2023
A talk about the challenges of peace and religion at Sphere
18 February U2024
Peace on Earth at Sphere
18 February U2024
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and Primal Scream's Movin' On Up at Sphere
7 October U2023
Pride (In the Name of Love) at Sphere
7 October U2023
My Way and Atomic City at Sphere
7 October U2023
40, the final song of the final show at Sphere
2 March U2024
I Go There With You...
U2
Mattopia Jones covers the world's loudest folk band:
5 continents • 19 countries
39 cities • 11 tours • 48 venues
77 shows • 1 Sphere
3 special appearances
6 boys dreaming out loud
0 restraining orders
Bono: Author, Actor, Factivist
The Stories of Surrender one-man theatrical stage show was conceived as a promotional book tour for Bono’s phenomenal “MEmoir” and the tour expanded into an extended series of shows on Broadway.
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