U2 kick off jaw-dropping Sphere shows in Las Vegas: See photos

Emlyn Travis

30 September 2023 at 3:29 pm·2-min read

U2 kick off jaw-dropping Sphere shows in Las Vegas: See photos

Friday was a beautiful day for U2 fans.

More than seven months after the Grammy-winning rockers announced their mammoth run of Las Vegas shows at the Super Bowl, the band marvelously combined both sight and sound on the opening night of U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere, pairing beloved tracks from past and present with jaw-dropping visuals from Es Devlin, John Gerrard, Marco Brambilla, and Industrial Light & Magic that were projected onto the newly crafted, dome-shaped venue behind them.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers drew most of the night's inspiration from their acclaimed 1991 album, Achtung Baby, playing songs like "Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World," "So Cruel," and "Zoo Station." During the latter, a large cross-section of the sphere appeared to be sliced open, revealing colorful television static and close-up footage of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Bram van den Berg (who is filling in for drummer Larry Mullen Jr.) as they spun on a Brian Eno–inspired turntable stage.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Opening night of 'U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere'

Donning his Fly sunglasses, Bono also made several references to some of the famous faces in attendance, which included Jon Hamm, Ava DuVernay, Mario Lopez, Jimmy Kimmel, Dr. Dre, Katy Perry, Lars Ulrich, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, Matt Damon, Snoop Dogg, Jason Bateman, and Paul McCartney. Bono paid tribute to the Beatles star throughout the evening, weaving "Love Me Do," "Blackbird," and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" into the group's 22-song setlist.

"The Macca is in our presence," Bono said at the show, reports Rolling Stone. "It's like having Mozart. Your songs will be played in a thousand years, dude. Just know that we love you, and we've stolen a lot of your songs."

U2 ended the evening by playing a medley of their greatest hits, including "Beautiful Day," "With or Without You," and "Where the Streets Have No Name," during which the Sphere's interior transported concertgoers to a sprawling desert at sunrise. The band also debuted a new single, "Atomic City," a nod to '70s post-punk, fellow rock band Blondie, and Sin City itself.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Opening night of 'U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere'

U2 is set to perform 24 more U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere concerts, which conclude Dec. 16. Check out more photos from the opening-night show below.

Rich Fury Opening night of 'U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere'

Rich Fury Opening night of 'U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere'

STUFISH ENTERTAINMENT ARCHITECTS Opening night of 'U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere'

Rich Fury Opening night of 'U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere'

STUFISH ENTERTAINMENT ARCHITECTS: Opening night of 'U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere'

Rich Fury Opening night of 'U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere'

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related content:

HuffPost UK
Trevor Phillips Destroys Nigel Farage With One Devastating Question
The Reform UK leader rejected the accusation that his party is a home for racists.
The Telegraph
‘I’m not going to buy electric again – it’s the worst car I’ve ever had’
Ray Bestwick bought an electric car last May in the hope of hassle-free motoring.
Manchester Evening News
Rylan Clark says 'this is what I look like' as he ditches black locks and makeup as fans react
The BBC Radio 2 star has shown fans what he really looks like as he prepared for a 'reset'
The Independent
‘Stanley Johnson caused our flight to be cancelled’ – claim from passengers on BA plane diverted to Heathrow
Exclusive: At one stage airport police were summoned to deal with an altercation, passengers say
Manchester Evening News
The nine Man United players leaving today as Erik ten Hag begins summer transfer plan
With the end of the club's financial year, there is the inevitable goodbyes as players see their contracts expire
Bournemouth Echo UK
UK to be hit by second heatwave in a matter of days from Mediterranean airstream
The UK is set for a second heatwave this summer as weather forecasters suggest Mediterranean airstream will bring hot weather.
OK! Magazine
Amanda Holden proudly poses with lookalike daughter Lexi, 18, as she finishes A-levels
Amanda Holden's lookalike daughter Lexi, 18, has finished her A-levels, with the Britain's Got Talent judge proudly gushing over her 'brilliant, funny, resilient and all grown up' child
Manchester Evening News
Footage shows out-of-control XL Bully being chased by armed cops before being shot dead following horror attack on woman
GMP said the dog had to be destroyed 'as the last possible option'
OK! Magazine
Carol McGiffin's blunt 4-word statement on friends Ruth and Eamonn split
Former Loose Woman Carol McGiffin has opened up with her true thoughts about Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes' split - two people she is friends with and admits she 'loves' equally
The Telegraph
Old, rich and living on benefits: welcome to the state pension capital of Britain
East Preston feels an unlikely stronghold of benefits dependency. The genteel village on the West Sussex coast might be the closest thing that Britain has to a moneyed pensioner utopia.
CNN
Russia wants to confront NATO but dares not fight it on the battlefield – so it’s waging a hybrid war instead
When someone tried – and failed – to burn down a bus garage in Prague earlier this month, the unsuccessful arson attack didn’t draw much attention. Until, that is, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala revealed it was “very likely” that Moscow was behind it.
Manchester Evening News
'I gave up Diet Coke for a month and I couldn't believe how it transformed my life'
Paul Turner was stunned by the results
The Telegraph
Labour vote share falls to lowest in more than two years
Labour’s vote share has fallen to its lowest level in more than two years ahead of the general election, new polling shows.
News Shopper
Busy London station CLOSED with major police presence and cordons in place
A busy central London train station has been closed, with a major police presence at the scene.
The Guardian
London Pride: Sadiq Khan leads 32,000 marchers through capital
Annual LBGTQ+ celebration takes place with march between Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square
The Independent
Led by Donkeys interrupt Nigel Farage speech by lowering huge Putin banner
Nigel Farage was initially unaware that the Russian president was on the poster, with the words ‘I heart Nigel’ written below
FTW Outdoors
‘Ever vigilant’ elephant stamps out threat to calf at watering hole
Dramatic footage captured in India shows "what maternal instinct is all about” as crocodile limps away empty-handed.
The Telegraph
Prince Harry award challenged by family of war hero
The decision to give the Duke of Sussex a sports award named after an American war hero killed in Afghanistan has been criticised by the soldier’s mother.
Hello!
Gary Lineker's pristine £4m London home where he welcomed two refugees
Inside Gary Lineker's house: The former Match of the Day star lives in Banes, London and shares his home with his four sons George, Harry, Tobias and Angus, as well as refugees.
The Telegraph
Donald Trump is going to turn Starmer’s Britain into an international laughing stock
Grandfather Robert Blackstock, a retired engineer from Nottinghamshire, became the “Brenda from Bristol” of this election campaign when he asked Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer during Wednesday night’s TV debate: “Are you two really the best we’ve got to be the next prime minister of our great country?”

Latest stories