LAS VEGAS — Bono referred to the cameras trained on the “U2: UV Achtung Baby” closing show at the Sphere in March and said, “Give the future a wave.”
The future is fast approaching. “V-U2 An Immersive Concert Film at Sphere Las Vegas” opens Sept. 5. The latest effort from the Sphere Experience production series, “V-U2” captures the “U2:UV” show that ran from September through March. It is the first film to be shot in Big Sky video technology, the unique ultra-high-resolution camera system developed by Sphere Entertainment.
Information is at thesphere.com/inner-circle. Darren Aronovsky’s “Postcard From Earth” is still running multiple times a day in the Sphere Experience roster.
The company emphasizes in its announcement of the project, “V-U2 does not just capture U2’s epic run at Sphere, it allows audiences to feel like they are at the live shows.”
The Edge and his wife, Morleigh Steinberg, directed the experience.
“The goal was to give the immersive moviegoers as close to the live U2:UV concert experience as possible — and then some. I’ve never seen a U2 show. I’m so relieved I caught a great one,” The Edge said in a statement.
From Steinberg, “We knew all the tremendous capabilities of the technology, but we didn’t know what to expect from the process of making this film. The work became a true collaboration between band, artists, producers, and technology teams. The end result is a cinematic experience that transports viewers into the energy and beauty of the live show.”
According to Sphere stats, more than 700,000 fans from over 100 countries sold out 40 dates during the first extended live-performance series at the Sphere.
According to published reports, the show generated more than $244.5 million in ticket sales, averaging to $6.5 million and 16,500 tickets per show. The average ticket price from all shows exceeded $390.
Taken together, the U2 series stands as the third-highest residency run ever in Las Vegas, trailing only Celine Dion’s two productions at the Colosseum.
