The Sphere: Been There, Done That, Enjoyed It, Judged It
I grabbed a flight to Las Vegas on Wednesday, October 25th only to remain there until Thursday, October 26th. You know what they always say. THEY always say that three days in Vegas is typically the way to go. How does approximately 19 hours sound? Normally that's not the most encouraging trip, but the notice was late in the game. The laser-scoped target was The Sphere. The band was U2. You're at least mildly familiar. The hook-up was there and I grabbed myself a piece. I experienced, and I enjoyed. However, there is a wider perspective coming from myself, which is frequently the case. It's rarely simple... with myself. Here you have it.
In full disclosure, I must reveal that I traveled there knowing I was landing in a corporate suite at the venue. As with past experiences, the corporate suite was well... sweet. I don't divulge this information to prove self-worth, inflate my cool or even name drop (because I'm not hurling out any names). In this situation, I just know someone, and we'll leave it at that. I mention it, just so it is known that my experience had an extra boost from almost every measurable, compared to most others that night. Does that affect my judgment?
Regarding the outside viewpoint, The Sphere's regularly changing 360-degree visuals are pretty magnetic once you see it in person. It makes your walk in that direction not only more imaginative, but prepares your senses for the evening ahead. You definitely feel its stature once you're finally standing next to it. It's one big bubba of a joint!
Entrance was as smooth as smooth goes. Then we have the interior lobby, both floor and mezzanine levels. The best noun, or verb even, that would apply would be GLOW. Glow in front of you, behind, above, below and sometimes guiding you along your way to another area defined by a pleasant glow. I thought it looked amazing, both futuristic and artistic. From the hanging sculptures down to the general architectural design; comprised of the walkways, escalators, elevators, pillars, windows, lighting and enormous concert signage (which felt like it could be outside, yet was inside), it was impressive. The two main parallel hallways on the bottom level, which exhibited repeated beams of old school black lighting effects, were connected along the way by multiple perpendicular bars. Basically, the bars traveled all the way through from one hallway to the other, which offers great convenience. There was a sizable area on the bottom level and a smaller section on the second level for merchandising. Adequate space for those needs, I believe. Concessions I did not partake in, so I honestly don't have an impression in that department. Although it should be expected, the costs of food/drink were very high. It's honestly not uncommon anywhere for live entertainment nowadays. The most crucial feature I noticed throughout the entire lobby area of all levels of the venue is that there was assistance at every turn. If you needed an answer on who, what, where, when, and how, there was somebody within reasonable distance to give you the scoop. Even the individual employees directing you on each elevator. Service, respect, service, respect... they kept that attitude on repeat.
Now we enter the concert playpen; the reason we showed up in the first place. Of course, it looks considerably different than any "arena" you've ever encountered. My argument is that it's not technically an arena. It's just the highest capacity theatre in the world, holding anywhere from 17K - 20K. Other than the floor, the permanent seating only takes up one side of the venue. It just goes up, and up... and a little more up. The artists surely have some extra work cut out for them to connect with the upper tier. The actual global wall interior was very industrial, with a concrete + metal grid-like appearance. Gotcha! That isn't truly what the interior looks like. That was the pre-show projection coming from the U2 camp. I have to admit, they initially tricked me with that detail, as I believed it was in its raw state. U2 had a small square stage in the shape of a large turntable. Artists have the ability to use a multitude of stage set-ups, as long as it fits within the general production confines. Their stage had the ability to change colors, and was a welcome addition to the overall performance. Besides the four additional lighting posts behind, the stage felt very bare to the eye, which was so unusual to comprehend from a distance... almost like a club stage in a giant venue. Although not able to mosey up against the stage, the GA floor crowd was allowed to reside relatively close not just in the front, but all three accessible sides. Behind the open floor there was a small amount of reserved seating. The rest of the reserved seating incorporated three more official sections over two additional constructed levels, with suites in the front of level two. Like I stated before, there was a steep feel in the house. Enough of the structure, what about the show?
When recounting the show, it is important to include the immediate pre-show, say 20-30 min prior. They wheeled out a very small automobile-looking creation (outlined in neon glow of course) with the top cut out, housing a DJ and his gear. He was mashing up some great 70s/80s/90s tunes and whoopin' up the crowd. It was working. I have to say, it was a kickass flavor for sure. I'm usually numb to pre-show antics. Still, this was delicious. Lights down, band appeared and the video extravaganza was off to the races. Nobody was gonna do it better than U2. Envelope-pushing tour production has been the name of their game for the past 25 years. I won't get into the specifics of the fully encompassing graphics painting the walls, due to the fact that so many photos have already been released. You'll find them. I will tell you that it's a hefty dose of virtual reality. Spoiled as I was, my location was one of the best seats in the house. There was a varying extent of activity in every visual display. Each of those presentations tended to morph into another striking spectacle. It was mesmerizing the entire time. The #1 mindbender would have to be when they created the illusion of the walls and ceiling closing in on all of us. My mind was positively thrown off, and I think I spent the next five minutes attempting to solve that computer-generated equation. There is little question that the audience focus was endlessly shifted away from the band and landed only on the surroundings. Expectations will determine how you feel about that aspect.
Obviously, I can't abandon all of this without laying out my rough dissertation regarding sound. Every form of artist management, entertainment industry folks, recording artists, audio geeks and pop culture creatures are educated on The Sphere's cutting edge live sound. The basics being, anywhere you hang in the room, your ears hear the same. Upon that initial knowledge, I believed that would be an unnatural and slightly disturbing characteristic. In my mind, the purity of sound at a live concert is meant to keep its authenticity, no matter the setting. Read into that all you want. Hyper-manufacturing the final delivery of live sound just seemed sketchy to me. The difference in air, so to speak, between the PA and the listener is part of the experience. Otherwise, you were just dealing with a movie in a movie theater, right? I would need to hear this scenario for myself. My assessment was this. It sounded impeccably clear and crisp without question. Nevertheless, the volume seemed a touch dialed down from where I sat. Aha, you must remember though, your location does not come into play. You receive the same results to the ears. With that said, I am unsure if the production volume was due to the venue or directives coming from the artist. This was not a colossal issue, but it did make me wonder what a band like Metallica would muscle out to the masses in that atmosphere. It is something to keep in mind, if you care to keep it in mind.
... annnnd, my internal survey says... It's a very fulfilling and memorable experience, but if you know Vegas... it's 100% Vegas alright, and that's ok. It exists in its proper home. It should remain a very unique entertainment option for certain artists to provide to their loyal and able fans. It should not be a common form of live presentation, because I feel it removes too much of the connection, spontaneity and welcomed imperfections of the live experience.
Necessary Additive & Preservative: I was forced to endure the hardship of Lady Gaga showing up to my Sphere concert, so she could junkyard one of the more beautiful U2 songs in the catalog, "All I Want is You", then "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and attempt to fully destroy the evening by reviving the exhausted "A Star is Born" movie single. I refuse to serve you with its title. Lady Gaga... does she understand the art of subtlety? Must she defiantly wail on top of everybody’s musical creation? This represented the only low point of my experience at The Sphere.
