AV Magazine AV Magazine 
U2’s opening show at the Sphere in Las Vegas has become “the fastest grossing residency” ever recorded in the city.
That’s according to Billboard magazine, which says the initial run of 17 shows generated nearly $110m in ticket sales.
Each show generated $6.5m on average, selling about 16,500 tickets.
Other Las Vegas residencies have grossed more but only with much longer runs. An Elton John residency earned $131m from 2011-2018 but that required 188 shows, not 17. A Celine Dion show that ran from 2003-2007 earned $385m but took 714 shows to make this figure.
U2 is set to perform another eight shows in December and 11 more from late January to mid February.
U2’s average ticket price during its initial run has also set a Las Vegas residency record at £390.97. This was higher than $290.15 per ticket to see Lady Gaga or the $285.30 per ticket to see Bruno Mars at the much smaller 6,400 seat Dolby Live at the Park MGM.
According to Casino.org, the band has reportedly been paid 90% of the earnings from the ticket sales in addition to $10m upfront to produce its own stage show, in return for taking the risk of opening up a new venue.
Meanwhile, Sphere entertainment has announced that Phish will perform four shows at Sphere on 18,19,20 and 21 April. During its 40 years as a band Phish has never played the same show twice, and each Phish show at the Sphere will feature unique set lists and visuals.
Sphere’s next-generation technologies include a 15,000 sq metre LED display inside the main venue bowl that wraps up, over, and around the audience, which is said to be the highest resolution LED screen on earth at 16K x 16K. The venue also features Sphere Immersive Sound, powered by Holoplot, said to be the world’s most advanced concert-grade audio system.
In other news, uncertainty persists in the UK over planning approval for a version of the Sphere in Stratford in east London.
The UK government’s Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove has written to the London Legacy Development Corporation, which has planning authority over the proposed venue, prohibiting it from implementing London mayor Sadiq Khan’s direction to refuse planning permission.
However, Gove has merely asked the corporation to give him time to consider whether he should make a ruling himself and has made no commitment to approve the scheme.
Sphere Entertainment has said it has no plans to appeal the mayor’s decision and is looking to build the next Sphere venue elsewhere.
“It really is the end of the line for London,” Sphere boss James Dolan said. “Why doesn’t London want the best show on earth?”
Related stories:
- U2 admits to ‘not enough distortion’ at Sphere residency
- UFC books Sphere for world’s ‘greatest combat sports show’
- Sphere loses nearly $100m as chief financial officer quits
Photo credits (below): Rich Fury and Sam Jones, courtesy of Sphere Entertainment
Have your say
or a new account to join the discussion.