U2:UV
U2 is performing 25 shows in Las Vegas between September and December 2023. The shows, called U2: UV (Ultra Violet), will focus on the album Achtung Baby which will be played in full, but unlike the anniversary tour for The Joshua Tree, it is expected will not be played in order. Like that tour which looked back thirty years, it is expected U2 will also give a peek at what is to come for new music during these shows as well via a newly recorded song, "Atomic City".
Due to surgery to fix medical issues caused by years of drumming, the announcement with the Super Bowl came with confirmation that Larry Mullen Jr. will not be performing. The band will welcome Dutch drummer, Bram van den Berg to play these shows on stage. The band shared, "It's going to take all we've got to approach the Sphere without our bandmate in the drum seat, but Larry has joined us in welcoming Bram van den Berg who is a force in his own right." Larry Mullen is expected to rejoin the band for their next album and tour. Adam Clayton shared in August, "He's doing what Larry does and that's taking his health very responsibly and he wants to come back, he wants to be able to have a long career and continue his drumming so he's taking care of these injuries."
The shows were initially announced, without dates, via a 15-second ad during the Super Bowl, and a longer version of the ad at U2XSphere.com the same day. The first five dates were announced April 24, 2023, an additional seven shows were announced April 25, and five more were added on April 27. Eight additional shows were announced for December on May 12. Three other shows were rumoured, and VIP and hotel packages for these dates went on sale, even though the dates were never announced. The three dates, November 8, 10 and 11, have not been announced, and are believed to not be happening. Packages for these shows, sold via Vibee, have now been cancelled.
The venue itself has seating for 17,500 people, and can accommodate 20,000 people with a general admission area in use (The first eleven rows of seats are removed in this case). The sphere has nine levels in total, and the inner performance area is a sphere shape, with programmable LED screens covering the sides and top of the performance area. The venue is a dome inside and outside. Not only will people be surrounded by images, there are also features such as scent and wind, a haptic system which will allow users to feel the sound, and targeted sound in the venue. The outside of the sphere is also covered in LED screens and can be used by the performers inside.
Additionally, while these shows happen, there will also be a look back at the Achtung Baby album at The Venetian hotel. This "immersive U2:UV Fan Portal", as it was intially called, will contain an exhibit focused on the band and the album, a pop-up shop, a bar area, and a theatre which will be showing band footage. This exhibit will be open to all, but at certain times of the day will be closed for VIP shopping and viewing events. This area is now being called "Zoo Station".
Pauli "The PSM" Lovejoy has been announced as the opening DJ for these shows at the Sphere.
Face value on the tickets ranged from $140.13 - $501.35 at four different price points for seats for face values. The General Admission floor was priced at $267.88, and at each show there will be a (RED) Zone riser at the back of the GA area which will hold 50 people, priced at $600.00. Although these are the face values, these tickets were subject to Platinum pricing except the GA tickets. All sales outside of the U2.com fan club sale were subjected to these Platinum pricing schemes. A presale via U2.com was held for the first 12 shows. The next five shows announced did not have a presale and went directly on sale, although U2.com had a special sale for fans for these shows after the Verified Fan sales. The next 8 shows once again had a presale via U2.com.
U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at the Sphere
- 2023-09-29: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-09-30: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-10-05: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-10-07: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-10-08: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-10-11: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-10-13: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-10-14: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-10-18: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-10-20: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-10-21: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-10-25: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-10-27: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-10-28: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-11-01: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-11-03: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-11-04: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-12-01: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-12-02: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-12-06: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-12-08: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-12-09: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-12-13: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-12-15: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
- 2023-12-16: MSG Sphere at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
Pinned Information
- U2:UV Live at Sphere Show Archive Main Page
- Zoostation Entertainment Guide
- U2Songs on Mixlr
- Merchandise Offerings at Zoostation and Sphere
- Atomic City Discography Entry and Video Entry
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