U2 to Perform First Concerts at MSG Sphere in Las Vegas

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Well, that's the obvious choice... but why Ultraviolet?

vegas, lights, big screens - i dunno.

UV - ultra violet. UV - U2Vegas.

it was likely a marketing decision by someone who thought they were a little more clever than they actually are.

 

[DeVaul]

vegas, lights, big screens - i dunno.

UV - ultra violet. UV - U2Vegas.

it was likely a marketing decision by someone who thought they were a little more clever than they actually are.

My favorite remains the last minute change to the 360 Tour title once they realized Boots was a stiff.

 

[DeVaul]

wait... ok. it all makes sense now.

somebody must have disrupted the space time continuum in Vegas once upon a time, so the band needs to go play some shows there to bring Larry back.



it was probably one of the morally corrupt rubes.

Larry reportedly also injured his hands…

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

i heard Larry hurt his hand because Matt Damon couldn't stay in the god damn van

 

[Achtung Ya'll]

Well, that's the obvious choice... but why Ultraviolet?

I think Ultraviolet also just sort of best describes the 90s and the AB aesthetic in general. Just kind of fits.

It is weird to sort of attach to a single song like that, but I'm not surprised at this point.

 

[Zoocoustic]

This is going to be ridiculously popular. Demand far in excess of a 12 show supply. More dates will inevitably be added…with this “residency” extending well into 2024. Which likely gives Larry a chance to join. Which gives all the people who saw it pre-Larry a reason to buy tickets for a second show.

 

[Javin]

So disappointed & angry they are playing without Larry - that's just how I feel. Previously they did a gig without Adam, from his own doing and a one off performance in NYC without Bono. At least they had some singers of note to replace him! I think I would've felt content with this if there was a statement from Larry to explain his absence, giving his blessing to his band to play on & when fans can expect him to return. And that he invited Lars Ulrich, Butch Vig, Caroline Corr and Dave Grohl to step in for him for these historic shows.*

I'm not boycotting the shows; it's probably not realistic for me to attend, but I think I would've looked into it at least.

I thought the subscriber gift last year was to compensate for no Achtung Baby tour. I wonder if they will play the Zooropa songs, will they revive Babyface? What about Pop? Will they bring back Last night on earth or Mofo? Are they really only doing these shows in Vegas for the Achtung Baby celebrations? Not, you know, where they recorded & themes centre around it?

I'd also like to know what is the objective of Songs of surrender? To soften us up before the big f off rock album? Why not just release Songs of ascent? It's done, they are new songs, it could end the trilogy & compliment the Achtung Baby songs. Then Larry returns with a blast in the unreasonable guitar rock album & world tour

 

[DeVaul]

But the baby said “there’s room for everybody”

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

while it wouldn't shock me to see a few weekends added at the end of the run - perhaps stretching into december - i do expect it to be wrapped in 2023.

one - the band will want to get to work on the new album promotion and prepare for a world tour (assumingly with Larry).

two - Harry Styles is the rumored next residency. U2 was the first rumor and that came true - the same people are saying Styles is up next, so it's incredibly likely that they have dates already booked.

now if those dates are for late 2024? sure - U2 could conceivably do another dozen shows without issue. but if it's early 2024, then there's a natural out for the band.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

But the baby said “there’s room for everybody”

the baby lies

 

[DeVaul]

the baby lies

I’ll be the one crying

 

[Irvine511]

I think it’s most likely that this is very skipable for Larry, as opposed to a tour of new material which really would mark a new era of U2. Better to rest up for that.

We need to remember, Larry isn’t Harrison Ford.

 

[ascender_RS]

As its early Achtung Baby and not Zoo TV (although some people on social media seem to be hoping for a carbon copy zoo tv show), I'm going to guess the shows will be a similar format to the JT tour, so we'll get the whole album, maybe as an opener-to, or sandwiched-between, a greatest hits show.

SOS arrangements for some of the non-AB songs? Not sure how they'd work in this sort of venue, so maybe there will just be a couple of acoustic ones?

 

[DeVaul]

We need to remember, Larry isn’t Harrison Ford.

Obviously. Bono would be the one to hide in the fridge.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

As its early Achtung Baby and not Zoo TV (although some people on social media seem to be hoping for a carbon copy zoo tv show), I'm going to guess the shows will be a similar format to the JT tour, so we'll get the whole album, maybe as an opener-to, or sandwiched-between, a greatest hits show.

SOS arrangements for some of the non-AB songs? Not sure how they'd work in this sort of venue, so maybe there will just be a couple of acoustic ones?

i think the idea that SOS playing any part in these shows is now dead.

bono's first mention of these shows was in regards to an achtung baby show. the SOS Baby thing started relatively recently on U2Songs.com - but that all may be bunk, as they claimed the show would be SOS centered with a touch on Achtung Baby - and now that the ads are out, it's clear that this is Achtung Baby centric.

maybe they'll play a song or two in the SOS style - but it's just as likely that they don't at this point.

 

[DeVaul]

i think the idea that SOS playing any part in these shows is now dead.



bono's first mention of these shows was in regards to an achtung baby show. the SOS Baby thing started relatively recently on U2Songs.com - but that all may be bunk, as they claimed the show would be SOS centered with a touch on Achtung Baby - and now that the ads are out, it's clear that this is Achtung Baby centric.



maybe they'll play a song or two in the SOS style - but it's just as likely that they don't at this point.

And let’s be honest, this is preferred.

 

[Achtung Ya'll]

And let’s be honest, this is preferred.

Easily. God if they played ANY AB songs in the SOS style I'd demand my money back. They also don't lend themselves to any sort of bombastic show like the Sphere seems to be geared towards.

 

[ascender_RS]

When you know that none of the band are actually in the desert, even the silhouettes of the four of them walking away is clearly not them.

Is this a nod to the EBTTRT video or something?

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

my main question that i have now as we await actual dates for the shows and for on sale... what's up with GA?

I do think there will be GA near the stage... but how much? from the renderings it looks like the lower section of seating are retractable risers - based on the angle and the idea that there's nothing underneath them. the internal photos of construction also show nothing in this section still - whereas every other section is complete. so i'd be shocked if that section isn't at least partially retractable risers.



so the question is how far back do they go and how far back will they be pushed back for U2. the first red line doesn't look like enough to fit the 2,500 standing they say they can pump into the place... so it may go all the way back to the second red line - as it looks like the area outlined in green is empty.

the difference between the green and blue sections here...



i'm also not totally sure you would actually WANT to be on the floor, that close up.

the venue has also said that not every seat is haptic - so perhaps those retractable risers contain the "non-haptic" seats because they can be taken out for big shows like this.

 

[super fly guy]

Look,we would all prefer if Larry was part of this. But the U2 machine is to big stall when an opportunity like this arises.

Looking at some if the social media comments you would think.he had been fired from the band!

The show must go on,and if he needs a year to recover,then come back with new music and tour next year. So be it.

 

[zoopop]

If anything I can see some sort of video message, tribute, or video of Larry playing with a song just to let the audience know hes still part of the band.

And as with most bands I'm sure Larry gave his blessing to play without him and picked the drummer replacement. Not a big deal for 10-12 shows

 

[DeVaul]

the difference between the green and blue sections here...

View attachment 13549

i'm also not totally sure you would actually WANT to be on the floor, that close up.

If this render is fairly accurate, figure each of the sections divided by red has 30 seats per row. Figure maybe 20 rows in the green section? That’s 1800 seats. Pull out the seats and fill the rows dividing them with people. You can get to 2k easily.

Wouldn’t surprise me if they want to sell some riser floor seats for the, uhh, well heeled.

 

[david]

I’m just going to wait for the giant floating baby head sphere to fly above my house and abduct me.

 

[ascender_RS]

If anything I can see some sort of video message, tribute, or video of Larry playing with a song just to let the audience know hes still part of the band.

And as with most bands I'm sure Larry gave his blessing to play without him and picked the drummer replacement. Not a big deal for 10-12 shows

No thanks. That would just be cringeworthy beyond belief. Not to mention I don’t think that’s a great welcome for the guy filling-in on drums.

I’m sure something will be said before the shows via the press and that’ll be the end of it. I’m sure Bono will say something on the night and then we can all move on.

 

[iota]

Larry can be in the corner getting shitfaced and interrupting to sing pub songs for a nice ZooTV throwback.

 

[dan_smee]

Few things:

The fact that Larry was on board until the last few days is probably why SOS was even in the mix - the band collectively would rather play a more muted show that Larry can get through than play without him. The quick pivot to fill AB was most likely the fact he pulled out and they decided that they’d go with the original plan.

No one wants to play without Larry, but the dates are fixed, contracts probably in place and they also want to be the first to do this. They know their reputation is pushing the limits of live performance, and they want this.

The new album was reportedly done last year. They will hold it until they see how he pulls up after surgery/rest.

Finally - they are old and don’t have many more years to waste. Larry would know that well.

 

[melon]

Hah...I recognized an old face in the trailer.

Funnily enough, depending on the dates, I've never been there before, but I might actually be in Las Vegas in time for a show. I'll just have to see what's possible.

 

[LyricalDrug]

Could U2:UV be a reference to Roman numeral V, the number 5? U2 + Bram on drums = 5…

 

[danm]

Is it confirmed that Larry isn’t playing?

 

[LyricalDrug]

Is it confirmed that Larry isn’t playing?

It’s confirmed that he’s not playing *drums*; the session drummer posted about it last night.