(Las Vegas) It was like a typical U2 outdoor show: two helicopters flew over the starry sky and illuminated the Las Vegas desert and the singer Bono with their spotlights, who knelt on the ground to sing. Vertigo.
Published yesterday at 18:27.
Jonathan Landrum Jr. Associated Press
The problem was that there were no helicopters and no desert. In fact, the entire scene was projected floor-to-ceiling on the interior walls of the new MSG Sphere in Las Vegas.
This moment was one of many impressive moments during the launch of the residency. UV warning baby by U2 in this ultra-modern, globe-shaped venue that opened its doors on Friday night.
The legendary rock band, winner of 22 Grammy Awards, performed for two hours in this huge spherical hall with crystal clear sound before 18,000 people.
PHOTO EVAN AGOSTINI INVISION ARCHIVE/ASSOCIATED PRESS The group U2 during a show in 2018
Throughout the night, a multitude of images were presented on the giant screen that covers the entire interior of the sphere, including kaleidoscope images, a burning flag, and the Las Vegas skyline.
“What a sophisticated room,” said Bono, accompanied on stage by guitarists The Edge and Adam Clayton, as well as drummer Bram van den Berg.
After being impressed by the giant version of himself projected on the screen, Bono paid tribute to the late Elvis Presley, who was a staple of Las Vegas entertainment.
“Look at all this. Elvis definitely didn’t leave that building, he continued. It’s an Elvis chapel. It’s an Elvis cathedral. »
U2 made its presence felt in the American sphere of 2.3 billion people, which measures 111 meters high and 157 meters wide.
Thanks to the stunning visuals, the band’s 25-concert residency kicked off in style on Friday, as the quartet racked up numerous hits, including mysterious shapes, Zoo Station, All I want is you and DesireIn addition to his most recent piece, atomic city.
On many occasions, the band members appeared so large on screen that it seemed as if Bono was singing intimately for one part of the audience, while The Edge reserved his guitar chords for the other.
The best in sound and image.
Many stars also gathered for the first concert in this unique hall.
Oprah, LeBron James, Matt Damon, Andre Agassi, Ava DuVernay, Josh Duhamel, Jason Bateman, Jon Hamm, Bryan Crankston, Aaron Paul, Oscar de la Hoya, Henrik Lundqvist, Flava Flav, Diplo, Dakota Fanning, Orlando Bloom and Mario López They were all in the room, to name just a few.
After finishing Love meof the Beatles, Bono also took the time to greet Paul McCartney, who was also present.
The singer also highlighted the efforts of the owner of the Esfera, James Dolan, who was the visionary of this room that has thousands of high-quality speakers and 260 million video pixels.
“I think the Sphere may have come about because Jim Dolan tried to solve the Beatles’ problem when they were playing at Shea Stadium,” he said.
“We couldn’t hear anything! Now, in the Sphere, can you hear me? »
James Dolan is president of Madison Square Garden in New York. He also owns the Knicks in basketball and the Rangers in hockey.
At the end of the concert, a bright light shone from the ceiling and the huge screen began to fill with images of birds, insects and reptiles on a lake.
The group closed its first concert at the Esfera with Beautiful daywhich won three Grammy Awards in 2001.
