The 1976-formed Irish rock band from Dublin is still in the limelight due to huge demand from loyal fans for their popular U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere residency at the Sphere in Paradise, Nevada, in the Las Vegas Valley!
The ongoing concert residency which initially had 25 dates at Sphere in Las Vegas and, as of last week, was scheduled to wrap up by December 16, 2023. But as expected, it looks like the concert has gained more momentum, as now the stage is all set to remain light-up with the rockstars for more shows! On Thursday, the band announced an extension that will add 11 shows in January and February, which will start the next year with a bang!
Bringing the total number of concerts at the new venue to 36 from September 29, 2023, to February 18, 2024.
As of now, the official press release confirmed that the newly added shows for next year are set for January 26, 27, and 31, and February 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 15, 17, and 18. The concerts will be performed by focusing on the group’s 1991 album Achtung Baby. The shows are leveraging the venue’s immersive video and sound capabilities, which include a 16K resolution wraparound interior LED screen and speakers with beamforming and wave field synthesis technologies, making it quite a unique experience.
DUE TO UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND, ADDITIONAL 11 DATES ANNOUNCED FOR U2:UV ACHTUNG BABY, LIVE AT SPHERE IN 2024.
JAN 26, 27, 31
&
FEB 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 15, 17, 18https://t.co/JseHnTNcHe paid subscribers may submit a Ticketmaster Request now through Saturday, October 21 at 10PM PT.… pic.twitter.com/7FhjHEDYbN— U2 (@U2) October 19, 2023
In addition to this, the concert series does not feature U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr., as he will be recuperating from surgery. This marked the first time since 1978 that the group is performing without him, as Dutch drummer Bram van den Berg from the band Krezip is filling in for the shows for now. He has also said that if U2 performed in 2023, it would likely be without him. Moreover, Mullen’s physical issues had not surfaced until after the band had agreed to the concerts, by which point they could not reschedule, as the Edge said, “We made a commitment.”
Entertainment executive Irving Azoff, who helped Dolan secure the plot of land on which the Sphere was built, agreed to take U2 on as a talent management client in 2022, taking over for Guy Oseary after a nine-year tenure as the band’s manager. Azoff also said that the band has the option to continue performing at the Sphere for two more years! As a result, Lead singer Bono, guitarist The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton, and drummer Bram van den Berg are all confirmed to return to the stage for all the new dates with any confirmation about drummer Larry Mullen Jr.
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The presale for the 2024 dates began on Thursday and ends on Saturday, October 21 at 10 p.m. PT. We would also like to highlight that the general tickets will be available during a general sale starting Wednesday, October. 25 at 11 a.m. PT at Ticketmaster.com. On the other hand, U2.com subscribers are eligible to submit a ticket request for the new shows regardless of whether they purchased tickets for the 2023 dates.
Make sure to mark your calendars and get the tickets on time as this inaugural Sphere show is one for the history books as it has received wide critical acclaim, with many reviews highlighting the successful fusion of U2’s anthemic music with the grandiosity of the venue itself. That’s not the only surprise bit because following U2’s opening weekend shows, the stock price of Sphere Entertainment Co. rose, peaking at a 17.3 percent increase before finishing the day up 11.1 percent. This increased the company’s market capitalization by $143.2 million, bringing it to a $1.43 billion valuation.
At last, before commencing the U2:UV Achtung Baby concert residency earlier this year, on March 17, 2023, U2 also released Songs of Surrender, an album of re-recorded songs which is produced by guitarist the Edge on Island Records and Interscope Records. The album’s release was accompanied by a television documentary film, Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming, with Dave Letterman, which premiered on Disney Plus.
U2:UV ACHTUNG BABY LIVE AT SPHERE pic.twitter.com/tNqEuBgufY
— U2 (@U2) August 30, 2023