Las Vegas' Sphere is redefining what a performance venue can be

8:46Las Vegas' Sphere is redefining what a venue can be

Sphere is a new 18,000-seat dome-shaped venue that is making headlines around the world for its innovative display technology.

The $2.3 billion building is made up of 160,000 square feet of LED screens that surround visitors, projecting over 300 feet into the air.

The futuristic venue has caught people's attention for its playful, and sometimes all too realistic, projections both inside and outside. But what is it actually like to take in a show there?

Music journalist Steven Hyden was one of the lucky attendees at Sphere's inaugural concert, played by none other than U2. He tells Commotion host Elamin Abdelmahmoud about his experience from his seat in the 100s-level.

For the full discussion, listen and follow the Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud podcast, on your favourite podcast player.

Soon after entering Sphere, Hyden says he realized that it wasn't quite like other performance spaces where attendees might aim to get as close to the front row as possible.

"You get in there, and you realize that being close to the stage actually isn't necessarily a good thing in this venue because the venue is set up like a theatre where all the seats are stacked up on top of each other, as opposed to an arena where you're sort of wrapped around the stage," Hyden says.

"You're just looking at, basically, a skyscraper-sized backdrop. Once the screen actually gets going, you're looking up a lot. So really, if you're paying for the relatively cheap seats in the 300s, 400s level, in a way you have the best seats in the house in terms of appreciating the full sphere-ness of Sphere."

Hyden says Sphere has a clear advantage over other venues thanks to its cutting-edge technology.

"The most dazzling parts of it were the photo-realistic images that were on the screen — the moments where you feel like you're no longer in this giant bowling ball, but you're actually outside."

One moment from U2's performance that has gone viral online is from Where The Streets Have No Name, when the band projected a desert vista featuring a flag made of smoke.

"It really does feel like you're looking at a desert; the way that it replicates natural light is very convincing," Hyden says.

WATCH | U2 performs Where the Streets Have No Name at Sphere:

The concert-going experience left such an impression, Hyden says he couldn't help but compare the next live act he saw to U2 at Sphere.

"I saw Peter Gabriel a few days ago. It was my first post-Sphere experience," Hyden says. "Peter Gabriel is known for elaborate stage productions. He had all these screens and everything … [and] these screens in this arena actually looked kind of small compared to what I just saw."

But, Hyden says he isn't convinced that Sphere, however spectacular, will appeal to all types of performers.

"It's an incredible venue. I mean, the screens are obviously very overwhelming. The sound is really great. The question is, how practical is this venue? U2 had 18 months to prepare a show for this space…. I don't see how you can just plug in your normal arena show or stadium show. You really do have to design for that space.

"I had a good time there. But upon reflecting on it, if you're looking at it as an artistic endeavor … this residency is just about spectacle. It's about, 'Isn't this a cool room? Look at all these amazing things that we can do.' And I think in that respect, the show just doesn't have the depth…. I think it's going to be interesting with other artists playing this room, what they choose to do with it."

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Interview with Steven Hyden produced by Stuart Berman.