SPHERE, LAS VEGAS, NV :: Achtung Baby was released 30 years ago, and I have been a diehard U2 fan ever since! Back then the world was changing, the Cold War had just ended, the EU was born, and the internet was introduced to the masses. There were mixed feelings of exhilaration, hope, uncertainty, and disparity – people were able to connect to each other more than ever before, and yet we seemed to grow even further apart. Nothing artistically captured the zeitgeist better than U2’s Achtung Baby and Zooropa albums, along with the Zoo TV Tour. As a young teen then, I was also becoming more aware of the world. The albums profoundly moved me, and I desperately wanted to attend the concert, but I didn’t have the means. The Achtung Baby anniversary concert at Sphere was my second chance to directly experience the excitement of Zoo TV, and it didn’t disappoint! The world is still changing, perhaps more rapidly than ever, in good ways and bad. The issues are still relevant, and I’m so glad U2 is still around to help guide us and entertain us through it all!
Sphere’s screen is by far the largest in the world, 40 times larger than an average IMAX and more than four times larger than The Fremont Street Experience. The visuals are jaw-dropping and crystal clear. Seeing the band’s passionate and joyful expressions created a level of intimacy and connection that was contagious! Sphere manages to dwarf the world’s largest rock band, but also brings them closer to everyone in the venue unlike any U2 concert before.
The best visuals were saved for last, accompanied by a new interpretation of “With or Without You” during which a sphere within Sphere opened up into a cathedral of endangered Las Vegas animals, transitioning to a hopeful “Beautiful Day” anthem in which “all the colors came out.” It truly was beautiful, and the videos really don’t do it any justice! Go see U2 at Sphere if you can! Shows are running through February next year, but I think they’ll keep extending it and stick around for much longer – they have a two-year option for their residency!
Thanks for sharing! I was in Las Vegas in September and saw the sphere from the outside and heard that U2 was coming. What a treat to be able to see some of the concert you shared here. I can imagine what it was like in real life. Happy that you could attend! I saw them in Vancouver when I was a teenager and it was a spiritual experience. They are a special band.
Looks like $2.2 billion to build the sphere paid off! Absolutely stunning visuals and clarity. Thanks!
Dana Kirkwood it was pretty amazing! After the endangered species scene, my next favorite was when it looked like we were outside, viewing Vegas, and it took us back in time before all of the buildings were there. So cool!
Kristie English yes that looked amazing! What an incredible experience to share. Enjoy!
The sound and visuals are like nothing else. I got chills so many times during the concert from how amazed I was. My only minor criticism was they did not play any songs prior to The Joshua Tree the night I saw them.
Sara Henault Were you shouting, “Play Sunday Bloody Sunday!” I didn’t miss the earlier catalog this time – just stoked to hear all of Achtung Baby, and happy Bono’s voice stayed true to the originals.
John Brown Ha! Ok, not that far back and to pinpoint it, songs from The Unforgettable Fire, like the title song or A Sort of Homecoming.
Sara Henault Would love to hear those songs, but probably not the best for a Vegas crowd.
WOW – this blows my mind. Need to grab some tix!
Jodi Rymer Sorensen Supposedly they’re building a second Sphere in London. That would be a little closer to you these days!
John Brown – noted!
Wow!