I'm far from U2's biggest fan, but watching them perform at the Sphere in Las Vegas was unlike any other concert experience

Anneta KonstantinidesMar 2, 2024, 20:25 IST

U2 perform during their residency at the Las Vegas Sphere.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation

I recently saw U2 play at the Sphere, the revolutionary new music venue in Las Vegas.
While I don't consider myself a huge U2 fan, the immersive visuals and concert really blew me away.

On night three of a reporting trip in Las Vegas, wearing a fur coat, plastic lei, and four-inch heels during Super Bowl weekend, I unexpectedly found myself watching U2 at the Sphere.

I hadn't listened to the legendary Irish band since I was a kid, but my boyfriend and I couldn't resist checking out the new venue when we heard ticket prices had hit a record low.

Headline after headline proclaimed that the Sphere was an incredible game changer that would revolutionize live music. How could we resist?

And believe me, it was worth it.

The Sphere kicked things off with a star-studded opening night that attracted everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Jeff Bezos.

The Las Vegas Sphere promoting U2's residency on the band's opening night. Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

There was already a massive line as we walked up to the Sphere the night before the Super Bowl.

The line for seat ticketholders to get into the Sphere. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I loved the vibe of the Sphere from the moment we walked in.

The Sphere felt distinct with its crisp and cool minimalism. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The mirrored bar was sleek and modern.

One of the bars at the Sphere. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Every drink at the Sphere is served in plastic reusable cups.

Our cup of Topo Chico seltzer. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

There were also fridges with canned drinks that you could purchase through the Sphere's self-checkout system.

The self-checkout bar at the Sphere. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

As we walked onto the floor, I gazed up at the sky-high LED screen that stretched before us.

At first, it looked like we were seeing the panels of the building. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

When I looked up at the ceiling, I realized we had been fooled by the projection.

The initial image that was projected on the Sphere's ceiling. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

As the music began, Bono's shadow danced across the walls.

Bono's shadow kicked off the show. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Light burst through the projected panels with each dramatic strum of the guitar and bang on the drums.

The Sphere's actual stage is simple. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

U2 kicked things off with a handful of tracks from "Achtung Baby," their hit 1991 album.

A rainbow of letters and numbers fill the screen during U2's Sphere show. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

As the band started ripping through their classics, the visuals became more elaborate.

Some of the visuals paid tribute to Sin City. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The vivid details of the images, which often moved and shook with the music, were electric.

One of the coolest images from the show. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

One of the most powerful recurring images was a fire that burned from a tentpole as if it were a waving flag.

The burning flag returned at the end of the show. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The show slowed down, in both pace and visuals, during the second half of the band's set.

U2 during their show at the Sphere. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

As the show neared its finale, the burning fire returned.

This visual looked straight out of Burning Man. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

An orb peacefully floating in the sea filled the screen as my favorite U2 song began.

Many of the visuals were truly beautiful. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Soon, the entire screen was filled with images of wildlife.

This filled the orb as U2 sang "Beautiful Day," one of their most famous songs. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The Sphere's exterior screen burst with color as we left as the animals changed from sepia to rainbow.

Our last view of the Sphere as we left the show. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

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