I visited the Sphere, Vegas' wild new entertainment venue, and thought the multi-sensory show was incredible

Taylor RainsJan 13, 2024, 18:39 IST

I would easily recommend the Sphere as an awesome and unique family-friendly activity in Las Vegas.Taylor Rains/Insider

A new $2.3 billion concert venue called the Sphere opened in Las Vegas in September.
The colossal orb currently hosts two events: Irish rock band U2 and "The Sphere Experience".

Las Vegas' ginormous new concert venue called the Sphere finally opened in September, and it's attracting everyone from Jeff Bezos to Oprah Winfrey.

Irish rock band U2 is the first resident, but steep ticket prices mean many people will visit the giant orb via "The Sphere Experience."

Given the hype, I was eager to visit this mysterious Sphere — and I thought the entire experience was absolutely incredible.

Las Vegas' colossal Sphere is the brainchild of billionaire James Dolan, who also foot a big chunk of the $2.3 billion building cost.

The Sphere lights up for the first time on July 4, 2023.Greg Doherty/Getty Images

The venue officially opened on September 29 with the first of 36 concerts by resident U2.

Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Bram van den Berg of U2 perform during the opening night of U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere on September 29, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation

But the Sphere, which sits 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide, has much more to offer than just music.

Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Bram van den Berg of U2 perform during the opening night of U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere on September 29, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

What makes the Sphere unique is its external wraparound LED screen — which the venue claims can be seen from space when fully illuminated.

The Sphere in Las Vegas.Taylor Rains/Insider

Photos on social media show the orb in its various displays, and some are pretty amusing.

The Sphere comes in many forms.Anadolu Agency, Greg Doherty via Getty Images

When I walked up for my $58 nighttime show, the Sphere was cycling through colorful displays of greens, blues, and purples.

Walking up to the Sphere.Taylor Rains/Insider

I arrived a few minutes early and was ushered alongside hundreds of others into the building.

The Sphere in Las Vegas.Taylor Rains/Insider

After scanning my ticket, I entered a giant open room full of unique lights and decor.

Inside the Sphere.Taylor Rains/Insider

Most intriguing, however, was Aura — the “world’s most advanced humanoid robot.”

Aura AI humanoid at the Sphere.Taylor Rains/Insider

Five Aura androids were set up around the huge lobby, each with its own theme: productivity, connection, innovation, longevity, and creativity.

The longevity Aura.Taylor Rains/Insider

Accompanied by an employee, these androids showed off their human-like facial expressions and movements.

Aura looked right at me when I spoke to it.Taylor Rains/Insider

Dozens of people surrounded these dystopian androids, asking questions and getting human-like answers in return.

People surrounding Aura at the Sphere.Taylor Rains/Insider

My favorite was AI number three, innovation.

Light art illuminated on the wall of the lobby.Taylor Rains/Insider

Aura instructed visitors to stand on one of four circles on the floor and cycle through them to hear different sounds.

A view of the four gold sound circles from above.Taylor Rains/Insider

I loved interacting with the robots, which brought the idea of human-sized androids a little closer to reality.

Inside the Sphere.Taylor Rains/Insider

Aside from the androids, visitors can also enter the Metaverse.

The avatar scanner at the Sphere.Taylor Rains/Insider

There’s also a handful of bars and food vendors across the four levels — but the prices are steep.

My $20 Topo Chico seltzer.Taylor Rains/Insider

With my $20 drink in hand, I finally headed into the auditorium around 10:15 p.m.

View of the Sphere's inner dome from my seat.Taylor Rains/Insider

I booked in the 200 sections and above to ensure I could see the entire screen covering the room from floor to ceiling.

The screen stretched all the way up and behind my seat.Taylor Rains/Insider

The show started right on time, and I wasn’t sure what to expect.

This rectangular screen was just a tease to its true size.Taylor Rains/Insider

But, it didn’t take long to become fully immersed in the show thanks to its captivating images, colors, movements, and sounds.

One of the snowy scenes.Taylor Rains/Insider

The show starts on a faraway planet before taking viewers on a journey through Earth’s history, exploring both natural and human-made elements.

A grasshopper on the screen.Taylor Rains/Insider

For 50 minutes, Postcard to Earth took me worldwide, from Africa and Antarctica to the Grand Canyon and beyond.

That's the screen, not a real elephant.Taylor Rains/Insider

There was even a moment when the movie took us underwater.

The underwater scene.Taylor Rains/Insider

After seeing the show, I think it easily lives up to the hype, and I even got emotional watching it.

Earth on the screen.Taylor Rains/Insider

"People will see things and see nature in a way they've never experienced before," Aronofsky told CBS News earlier this month.

Postcard from Earth at the Sphere.Taylor Rains/Insider

I shopped for holiday items in Target's $5 and under section. It's the perfect place to find decor for small spaces.

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