"V-U2" - U2

Film

Track Listing:

  • “Lemon” (Jacknife Lee Sphere Remix) – U2 (02:47)
  • “Plato’s Cave” – Brian Eno and Bono (02:38)
  • “Zoo Station” (Live from Las Vegas, Feb. 24, 2024) – U2 0(4:42)
  • “The Fly” (Live from Las Vegas, Feb. 24, 2024) – U2 (05:06)
  • “Even Better than the Real Thing” (Live from Las Vegas, Feb. 24, 2024) – U2 (05:41)
  • “Mysterious Ways” (Live from Las Vegas, Feb. 24, 2024) – U2 (04:36)
  • “One” (Live from Las Vegas, Feb. 23, 2024) – U2 (05:00)
  • “Love Me Tender” (Live from Las Vegas, Feb. 24, 2024) – U2 (01:20)
  • “Until the End of the World” (Live from Las Vegas, Feb. 24, 2024) – U2 (05:50)
  • “All I Want is You” (Live from Las Vegas, Feb. 24, 2024) – U2 (07:40)
  • “Desire” (Live from Las Vegas, Feb. 24, 2024) – U2 (04:53)
  • “My Way” (Live from Las Vegas, 2024) – U2 (00:49)
  • “Atomic City” (Live from Las Vegas, Mar. 1, 2024) – U2 (03:55)
  • “Vertigo” (Live from Las Vegas, Feb. 24, 2024) – U2 (05:11)
  • “Streets” (Live from Las Vegas, Mar. 1, 2024) – U2 (06:39)
  • “With or Without You” (Live from Las Vegas, Feb. 2024) – U2 (05:56)
  • “Beautiful Day” (Live from Las Vegas, Feb. 24, 2024) – U2 (05:17)

Background Information

V-U2 is a full length “immersive film” filmed at Sphere, to be shown exclusively at Sphere. Beyond the film it also includes admission to chat with Aura the Robotâ„¢, demonstrations of the holoplot sound system, and holographic art installations in the lobby area. The film itself is an 82 minute film, filmed in 16K resolution over three U2 shows at Sphere. For this film, haptic feedback via the seats is also in use which shake and move the seats. The film is directed by Morleigh Steinberg and The Edge.

The film was first announced on August 21, 2024. Ticket presales for U2.com members started on Thursday August 22 at 10am. General ticket sales started on Friday August 23. The first ticketed performance of the film was September 5, 2024, but a special fan preview of the film was held on September 3, where fans were greeted by Morleigh Steinberg ahead of the film. Ticket sales for the film are handled via Ticketmaster. The Edge shared that they felt the U2 show was “so bespoke to this venue that to try and capture it for a small screen just wouldn’t make any sense” and press information on the film suggests this will remain and exclusive to Sphere. It is known that other acts playing at Sphere have filmed nights as well. The V-U2 film was the second film showing at Sphere, following Postcard from Earth.

The preview screening for U2 fans was a low key event with little fan fare, and only limited merchandise on sale. The grand opening on September 5 was accompanied by a drone show above Sphere, and special footage on the outside of the venue.

The footage from the film is mostly from the February 24, 2024 performance at Sphere. Additional footage is taken from performances on February 23 and March 1. Much of the audio is synced to the video footage from the same night, but on some occasions the audio will be from one night, while the video footage will be from another. The first scene from behind the stage during “Vertigo” is taken from a different night than the remainder of the video footage for instance. During “Beautiful Day” you can spot at some moments where Adam Clayton’s shirt changes as footage is taken from two shows. (February 24 and March 1 for the video footage.)

The film does include “Lemon” (Jacknife Lee Sphere Remix) and a piece called “Plato’s Cave” attributed to Brian Eno and Bono. These are the songs that come before “Zoo Station” and are identified by these titles in the film credits. Audio from the film is mixed by Joe O’Herlihy, and Jacknife Lee serves as executive producer on sound.

Sales for early shows were slow, but the show has been picking up good word of mouth. Recently additional shows were added to already published schedules for February and March. The film shows between 10 and 11 times a month currently, and Postcard from Earth is still in rotation as well, and has been for over a year. No end date for the film has been announced at this time.

In the lobby in advance of the film, one of the demonstration pieces of the Sphere technology is a demo of the holoplot sound system. You are able to stand in four different locations, and hear completely different sounds. For the demonstration, U2’s “The Wanderer” is used over the sound system. Depending on where you stand, you hear either Johnny Cash’s familiar vocals, Bono’s guide vocals (never release), or a mixture of the two. U2 symbols decorate the lobby area, covering U2’s entire career.

The following merchandise has been sold at the film (items marked with a * were also sold via U2.com):

  • Hoodie (Black, zip up, U2UV-V Logo on front, Zoo Station photo on back)* ($90)
  • Hoodie (Black, U2UV-V Logo on Front, V Logo on back) ($90)
  • Foil Poster (Light Crack Photo, U2UV-V Logo above Stage)* ($30)
  • Foil Poster (Zoo Station Photo with U2UV-V Logo at bottom) ($30)
  • V-U2 T-Shirt (Black T-Shirt, Light Crack Photo Front, V Logo on back) ($50)
  • V-U2 T-Shirt (Black T-Shirt, Zoo Station Photo Front, V Logo on back)* ($50)
  • Ball cap (Black, yellow V in front, U2UV-V logo on back in yellow and pink)* ($40)
  • Dog Tags (Black, with U2UV-V logo on one side and a number on other) ($20)
  • Pin Set (Yellow V on one, U2UV-V logo on other, black backgrounds) ($10)

When asked what “V-U2” stands for, Aura answers “Virtual U2”.

Liner Notes

Performed by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Bram Van Den Berg standing in for Larry Mullen, Jr.
Show & Creative Director: Willie Williams
Immersive Film Directors: Morleigh Steinberg, The Edge
Producers: Alan Moloney, Bono, The Edge and Adam Clayton
Associate Director: Smasher Desmedt
Co-Producer: Allison Biggs
Executive Producers: Irving Azoff, Jeffrey Azoff
Executive Producer for Sphere: James Dolan
Executive Producer for Live Nation: Arthur Fogel
Associate Producers: Kelly McNamara, Nadine King
Creative Consultant: Gavin Friday
Mixed by Joe O’Herlihy
Executive Music Producer: Jacknife Lee

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