U2 reveals first concert dates for Las Vegas Sphere. The Edge calls venue a 'quantum leap'

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY

April 26, 2023 at 12:17 AM·4 min read

The MSG Sphere is rising in Las Vegas with one of the world's greatest concert bands launching the next-level 17,600-seat arena.

U2 officially announced five fall dates for "U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere" which will officially open the $2 billion venue beginning Sept. 29. The long-anticipated unveiling of the engineering marvel will mark the Irish band's first concert outings in four years.

The world's largest spherical structure (at 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide) was teased in a February Super Bowl ad, shown blowing away U2 and fans. That's how Bono and The Edge felt when experiencing the venue's immersive sound and 16K resolution screen for the first time.

"It was like, 'Oh, my goodness, this is groundbreaking on so many levels.' This is a whole new art form," The Edge, 61, tells USA TODAY. "This is light-years ahead of anything else out there. We think this a quantum leap forward for the sensory impacts of a rock’n’ roll concert."

Why MSG Sphere will blow concert-goer's minds

USA TODAY was given access to the Burbank, California, Sphere staging ground which powerfully demonstrated the multilayered sound system that will beam crystal clear audio to every seat, coming from more than 160,000 speakers to a full capacity of 20,000 fans.

"It's completely immersive audio, absolute high-fidelity," says The Edge, adding it's leaps ahead of current stadium and arena sound "which is sort of an afterthought."

The adaptable technology can cover every spectrum of sound consistently to every audience member, giving the band the opportunity to explore mind-blowing sound through to "radical intimacy."

"We can deliver a soft, intimate vocal from Bono and people in every seat will be able to hear every single word," he says. "That would be lost anywhere else. This venue is purpose-built to deliver perfect sound, the best ever. That was already enough for me."

U2 will kick off The Sphere in September.

The venue includes 4D technology (allowing concertgoers to experience everything from scents to temperature changes and wind) and there are the visual capabilities from the 160,000 square-foot 16K screen that wraps up, over and around the seats. The highest-resolution LED screen in the world is all-encompassing.

"It's immersive cinema that is so believable you can travel to another space and time, even another planet," says The Edge. "And it's an incredible digital arts canvas for the world of U2 live concerts. It's really exciting making this technology our own."

U2 songs will continue to be 'the boss'

Along with finishing U2's new album, "Songs of Surrender," U2 has been working for the past nine months to rehearse and work with the new Sphere technology for the shows beginning in September. It's uncharted territory in the country's gambling capital, with the effort of effectively implementing the visuals and immersive sound continuing.

"Perfect for the location, there is a major rolling of the dice here," says The Edge. "We've introduced new technology, but every single aspect of the show is groundbreaking. We won't fully know until we see this on the screen how it's going to play. There is some jeopardy here."

But the band is comfortable with being the first in this house. "That's how rock ’n’ roll show should be, an element of uncertainty, risk and jeopardy. We operate at our best driven by pure inspiration," he says.

Presale tickets will begin April 27, with priority given to verified U2 fans, before the Friday Ticketmaster release.

"We're aware of recent ticket sales issues and we're doing our best to make sure these get in the hands of real fans," says The Edge, who is eager to get back on the full concert stage for the first time since 2019. He vows to make the show a true U2 experience, with the added tech boosting the effort.

"We want the songs to be boss," says The Edge. "I think this is going to be a mind-expanding experience for everyone, and it's long overdue. We can't wait to get out there."