Sphere is circling back to U2.
The groundbreaking Las Vegas entertainment venue has confirmed that it will present V-U2, an immersive concert film directed by Morleigh Steinberg and band member The Edge. Opening Sept. 5, the film is billed as a “one-of-a-kind cinematic experience” focused on the iconic band’s inaugural run with U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere.
U2 played to more 700,000 fans across 40 sold-out dates from September 2023 through March 2024. The shows commemorated one of U2’s most successful records, the chart-topping 1991 release Achtung Baby, played in its entirety with selected tracks from other U2 efforts over the years. V-U2 is the first film ever to be shot entirely with Big Sky, an ultra-high-resolution camera system developed by Sphere Entertainment and designed to make audiences feel like experiencing the live performances. Also of note: V-U2 makes use of Sphere’s haptic seats, which use vibrations so guests can “feel” the music.
“The goal was to give the immersive movie goers as close to the live U2:UV concert experience as possible — and then some,” The Edge said in a statement. “I’ve never seen a U2 show. I’m so relieved I caught a great one.” Added 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.”
V-U2 was produced by The Edge, Bono and Adam Clayton with producer Alan Moloney. Stefaan “Smasher” Desmedt, video director of the original show, also served as an associate director on the film. Music production was handled by Jacknife Lee and Joe O’Herlihy, U2’s longtime director of sound. Sphere Studios’ Andrew Shulkind served as director of photography, and the project was edited by Sphere Studios’ Robert Rivers Malina. Irving and Jeffrey Azoff, who lead U2’s management team, are receiving executive producer credit of the film.
“V-U2 is a first-of-its-kind immersive film that will transport audiences back to U2’s groundbreaking live Sphere shows and make them feel like they are there,” offered MSG Entertainment’s Josephine Vaccarello, who oversees live bookings for Sphere. “This concert film was created specifically for Sphere, and will utilize the venue’s technologies to create an experience that is only possible at this next-generation entertainment medium.”
Tickets, which start at $100, go on sale to the general public on Aug. 23. Following U2’s run, Sphere presented shows by Phish followed by an extended run from Dead and Company. Next up are the Eagles. On the film front, Sphere also presented Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth.
