Las Vegas Strip Sphere signs huge rock band for new residency
Las Vegas Strip headliner residencies have evolved into spectacular technological presentations with the opening of Sphere Entertainment's (SPHR) Sphere Las Vegas, which debuted on Sept. 29, 2023, with superstar rock band U2's 40-show U2/UV Achtung Baby Live at the Sphere residency.
Before the opening of the Sphere, the most spectacular shows on the Strip might have been the five Cirque du Soleil shows in Vegas – The Beatles Love, Michael Jackson One, Mystère, O or Kà, or the many magician or illusionist shows, such as David Copperfield or David Blaine. You could also catch Penn & Teller at the off-Strip Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. Years ago, Siegfried & Roy entertained with their magic act.
The Sphere cost about $2.3 billion to complete, which was higher than a previous estimate of $2.175 billion and $1 billion over its initial construction budget. So far, the venue hasn't disappointed as it has become the top competitor to residencies produced by Las Vegas Strip hotel casinos operated by Caesars Entertainment (CZR) , MGM Resorts International (MGM) and Wynn Resorts (WYNN) .
Sphere Entertainment continued to book superstar entertainers in the 18,600 seat venue, which can hold a 20,000 standing capacity, after U2 completed its residency. The Sphere welcomed jam band Phish for a short engagement with four shows April 18, 19, 20 and 21, which the band said would be its only shows at the Sphere in 2024.
Grateful Dead spinoff band Dead & Company, which completed its final concert tour at Oracle Park in San Francisco on July 16, 2023, scheduled 30 shows at the Las Vegas Sphere from May 16 through Aug. 10, 2024.
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Another popular rock band, The Eagles, which has been performing farewell tours since its "Farewell 1 Tour" in 2003, says it's finally wrapping up its touring career with a show on its "Long Goodbye" tour in the Netherlands on June 15, 2024.
Fans can still be skeptical about the band's touring retirement, as the band's late singer/guitarist Glenn Frey rejected the notion that they were retiring on Farewell 1, during a 2005 show in Sacramento, by saying, "If you're payin', we're playin'."
Don Henley of the Eagles performs on stage at Murrayfield on June 22, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns) Roberto Ricciuti/Getty Images
The Eagles sign up for the Sphere's next residency
Maybe the band has retired from touring, but it hasn't retired from performing yet. The Eagles have signed up for the next spectacular residency at the Las Vegas Sphere on the Strip with eight shows over four weekends planned for Sept. 20, 21, 27, 28, Oct. 11, 12, 18 and 19.
Artist presale registration is available at Eagles.com for a presale that begins June 18 at 10 a.m. Pacific time at Ticketmaster. Official Platinum and VIP packages presales also begin June 18, 10 a.m. Pacific, while Live Nation and Sirius XM presales begin June 20 at 10 a.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public June 21 at 10 a.m. Pacific.
Fans will observe the Sphere's next-generation technologies, including the world's highest resolution LED display that wraps up, over and around the audience creating a fully immersive visual environment. The Sphere also features the world's most advanced concert-grade sound system, Sphere Immersive Sound, powered by Holoplot that delivers audio with unmatched clarity and precision, according to a statement.
The current lineup of The Eagles includes Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, country and bluegrass star Vince Gill and band founder Glenn Frey's son Deacon Frey. Glenn Frey died in 2016.