During the past few months, the nighttime Las Vegas view has been a tad brighter with the addition of the Sphere. The Sphere stands 366 feet tall and is 516 feet wide. The dome’s exterior is covered with 580,000 square feet of fully programmable LED panels. The venue opened last September and had since welcomed U2 as its headlining act throughout the fall and winter. Prior to coming to the Sphere, U2 had not performed live since 2019. Band members Bono, The Edge and Adam Clayton commented on U2’s return to the stage and noted that this was long overdue.
They said, “U2 hasn’t played live since December 2019, and we need to get on stage and see the faces of our fans again. We’re the right band, Achtung Baby the right album and sphere the right venue to take the live experience of music to the next level. Sphere is more than just a venue, it’s a gallery, and U2’s music is going to be over the walls.” Increasing fan demand extended the band’s U2: UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere tour into this year. The tour sold-out nine shows following its debut, prompting the band to add more dates to the line-up. The band played another three shows at the end of January and eight more during the month of February. The tour, which was scheduled to wrap up after 36 performances, extended its run by another four nights. U2 added two more shows in February and two during the beginning of March.
But even after U2 finishes its Vegas run, the party does not have to end at the Sphere. Gaming America recently made a few stops in Sin City, and we have created a list of what to do at this new venue in the coming months. Guests of nearly all ages can sit in on a documentary that includes nature and science fiction with Postcard from Earth, which features the Sphere’s technology and visual effects. Postcard From Earth is open to the public and is part of the ongoing The Sphere Experience. The event is tailored for visitors aged 6 and older. Postcard From Earth lasts 50 minutes and is filmed in 18K resolution. The multi-sensory film is half of the two-part experience, along with an hour-long interactive session that allows patrons to view holographic art installations and chat with interactive robots.
The Sphere explained what visitors can experience with this program on its website. Representatives of the venue said, “The Sphere Experience starts with Aura, our real-life humanoid robot, who will take you on a tour into the future of technology. The Experience continues with a specially commissioned film by acclaimed director, Darren Aronofsky.Part sci-fi story, part nature documentary, Postcard from Earth takes advantage of all Sphere’s experiential technologies to make you feel like you’re anywhere but Las Vegas.” If you are looking for live music and love American rock, Phish will begin a series of shows at the Sphere starting April 18. The band will play a four-show run from April 18 to April 21. The band is known for never playing the same set twice, a tradition that will continue during its run at the Sphere. The upcoming show will offer Phish fans a new set list, as well as new visuals across the venue’s LED surface.
The band said, “From the moment we first heard about Sphere and its potential, we’ve been dreaming up ways to bring our show to this breathtaking canvas. We’re thrilled to present this completely unique experience to Phish fans.” For those looking to visit Vegas during the early summer months, the Sphere will feature Dead & Company Dead Forever. The band will begin its residency on May 16 and will play 24 shows until July 13. General seating is available for these events, but the Sphere also offers VIP suites and private seating. The venue has a seating capacity of more than 17,000. Unfortunately, parking space near the Sphere is limited. According to venue representatives, the Sphere has nearly 200 parking spaces available on site. But we have some tips and options for parking if you’re planning on attending a Sphere event. First, the Sphere has rideshared, taxi drop-off and pick-up space right in front of the destination.
Rather than spending time navigating through traffic to grab a place to park, taking a cab or using a rideshare can save you that time and stress. If you live within a reasonable driving distance from Las Vegas and need to find a parking space, the Sphere is close to several parking garages if you don’t mind a short walk. The odds of finding a place to park are much higher if you opt for parking in one of the garages near Wynn, The Venetian or the Palazzo. For Nevada residents, The Venetian offers three hours of complementary self-parking, a program the resort started last fall. To be eligible for this service, you would need to scan a valid Nevada driver’s license at one of the Palazzo or Venetian self-parking kiosks.
Also, if you’re from out of town and are staying at The Venetian or Palazzo, you have the advantage of easy access to the venue without having to go outside. A covered pedestrian walkway above Koval Lane connects The Venetian to the Sphere’s Plaza entry. The Sphere also offers valet parking. Because the Sphere is connected to The Venetian, we recommend getting a bite to eat at this resort. Eating close to the venue will not only save you transportation dollars, but you will have the chance to check out the stunning décor the renaissance-style casino resort has to offer. The Venetian offers a variety of dining choices no matter the time of day and what your budget allows.
While visiting, getting a meal for as low as $15 to $20 is not a challenge. If you are looking for a place to sit down or options for fine dining, the casino hotel offers plenty of that, too. Prior to its construction, architects and artists traveled to Venice, Italy to seek inspiration for the Renaissance-style destination. Construction was completed on the resort in 1999. The Venetian Resort recently released details on plans to update its convention center. The company said the renovation of its meeting space will be “completed in stages between 2024 to 2026." Plenty to look forward to.
