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The Las Vegas skyline will soon be dominated by large-scale displays. MSG entertainment started a full test A 17,600-seat venue near The Venetian Resort, Sphere is defined by an enormous (516 feet in diameter, 366 feet high) animated dome and an internal 16K LED screen that surrounds it. The exterior is eye-catching, but the real draw is the immersion in live entertainment on the internal display, which aims to reimagine the concert and movie experience.
MSG’s James Dolan and David Dribble explanation To rolling stoneThe aim of is to effectively create a VR experience without the “damn goggles”. Creators use special cameras to create images that envelop the audience. It also has a unique 164,000-speaker audio system that can isolate specific sounds or target specific parts of the audience. For example, in one section I could only hear Spanish conversations.
Similar to a ‘4D’ cinema, MSG Sphere offers a sensory experience for some guests. About 10,000 seats are equipped with tactile sensations, cool air, hot air and scent. If you’re on a virtual trip to the North Pole, you might feel cool while watching.
The first show at the venue will take place on September 29th, when U2 will kick off 25 shows with custom production. The show is virtually sold out, so we’ll have to rely on the inevitable flood of social media videos to see what Sphere looks like during its first stint. A partial screen test was done this spring.
It’s not clear if it’s a smart investment. Construction began he in 2019, but the pandemic and technical complexity meant that inflated Estimated cost is $2.3 billion. That makes it the most expensive venue in Las Vegas to date (even the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium is “just” $1.9 billion), and there’s no guarantee MSG will be able to recoup its investment in a timely manner. It’s also not clear what will happen after U2’s concert, but an esports tournament or mixed martial arts fight could be held.
But the draw is clear. Larger concerts are usually held in stadiums where the sound, visuals and seating are designed around sports rather than music. Even traditional concert halls haven’t changed much over the decades. Theoretically, you’ll be making a pilgrimage to the spheres for an experience like no other.