Not far from the Strip, La Sphère has become one of Las Vegas’ star attractions in just a few months. Inaugurated in 2023, the venue that houses the world’s largest LED screen welcomes a host of artists and takes Sin City into a new events era.
In September 2023, Las Vegas added to its collection of buildings with an impressive dome designed by architecture firm Populous. Inside is an immense auditorium seating nearly 19,000, surrounded by a spherical 16K LED screen. This is where the big names in the music world perform, from U2 and Eagles to Dead & Company, John Mayer, and Bobby Weir.
An immersive experience for all the senses
Initially known as MSG Sphere, the project was announced in early 2018. The Sphere will be built on 7.3 hectares of land, just off the Strip and to the east of the Venetian complex. Architectural firm Populous was responsible for the design and supervised the construction work, which involved hundreds of people. The roof of the 112-metre-high, 157-metre-wide dome required 3,000 tonnes of steel, while the 54,000 m2 surface area is covered by illuminated panels, allowing projected images to be seen from afar.
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Inside, there is an auditorium with 18,600 seats and 20,000 standing, spread over nine levels including the basement. 23 suites, on the third and fifth floors, are included in the VIP club. The concert hall features thousands of LEDs covering almost 15,000m2, with 16K resolution, and 157,000 ultra-directional loudspeakers. A technology worthy of the 22nd century, which can be used to broadcast video content and immerse spectators in the world of the artist. All the more reason to enhance the experience and performances of the artists.
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Inaugurated with great fanfare in September 2023, the Sphère has unveiled a programme of excellence to kick off its life as a show venue. The rock band U2 was the first to inaugurate it with a residency lasting until March 2024. The group Phish then performed on two dates before giving way to the residency of Dead & Company, Bobby Weir, and John Mayer. From September 2024, Eagles performed on several dates, as did Don Henley. As announced a few days ago, Dead & Company have renewed their residency for 2025.
An energy sink that doesn’t scare Abu Dhabi
While the experience is enhanced tenfold, the Sphere still comes in for a lot of criticism. The 2.3 billion dollar project, originally estimated at 1.2 billion dollars, is a veritable energy sink. According to the press, the ball would consume 95,000 MWh in one year, equivalent to the electricity demand of 20,000 homes in a town like Valenciennes. However, its designers claim that they want to supply 70% of the venue’s electricity from solar power. With the target set for 25 years, the insane energy consumption has time to disrupt the ecosystem of Nevada City.
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While the Mayor of London has rejected the construction of such a concert hall in his city on environmental grounds, a second Sphere is set to open in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. The facility will also be able to accommodate 20,000 people and is expected to become ‘a major attraction throughout the year’, offering ‘new standards in terms of immersive experiences and cultural offerings’, according to Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism. No date has been announced, but given the speed of development in the region, a few years could be enough.
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Featured photo : The Venitian Resort Las Vegas
