New U2 concert film at the Sphere gives fans a more affordable option to watch the concert

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Seats inside the Sphere auditorium began to shake as the image of a helicopter flew over the crowd.

As the lights dimmed, U2 appeared on stage and began to play, and the backdrop behind them changed and Bono began to sing “Zoo Station.”

Some fans grabbed their cell phones, while others started clapping, dancing and singing.

It looked like a scene from a normal concert, with one exception: U2 wasn’t there.

It’s actually “V-U2 An Immersive Concert Film,” and the film chronicles the band’s time at the Sphere. It’s the band’s second Sphere Experience. The first was “Postcard From The Edge.”

The V-U2 was co-developed by the U2 team and the Sphere Studios team, who worked on the project in Burbank and on-site in Las Vegas.

The film is shot in such a way that the viewer feels as if they are actually at a U2 concert, which is exactly what co-directors The Edge and Morleigh Steinberg were aiming for.

“The goal was to give viewers an immersive experience that was as close to the live U2:UV concert as possible—and more,” The Edge said. “I’ve never seen a U2 concert. I’m so happy I saw a great one.”

On Wednesday, some U2 fans had the opportunity to watch the concert before its premiere and clearly shared their opinion.

“It’s a chef’s kiss,” one woman said.

“If you haven’t seen a U2 concert, you have to see this. And if you’ve seen a U2 concert, you have to see this,” another woman said.

Is it affordable?

Some fans had difficulty getting tickets to U2 shows during their residency at the Sphere.

Ticket prices ranged from $300 to $9,000.

However, concert film prices are lower and range from $100 to $200.

How was the film shot?

The film was shot using Big Sky, an innovative camera system developed by Sphere Studios. Research began in early 2021, and the first shots using the camera system took place in October 2022. SphereLab image processing software was also created specifically for Big Sky. The camera system also allows filmmakers to capture large-format images from a single camera without having to combine content from multiple cameras.

“Big Sky is a significant advancement in cinematic camera technology, and each element represents a leap in innovation in design and manufacturing,” said Deanan DaSilva, Big Sky Principal Architect at Sphere Studios. “Big Sky allows us to capture cinematic content at a level of detail never before possible, opening up incredible possibilities and pushing immersive imaging technology forward in a way that will resonate across the entertainment industry.”

The Sphere team also collaborated with STMicroelectronics to develop the world’s largest image sensor for the Big Sky camera system. The 316-megapixel sensor is nearly seven times larger and has 40 times higher resolution than full-frame sensors used in high-end commercial cameras.

“ST has pioneered imaging technologies, IP and tools to create unique solutions with advanced features and performance for almost 25 years,” said Alexandre Balmefrezol, executive vice president and general manager of STMicroelectronics’ Imaging Subgroup. “Building a custom sensor of this size, resolution and speed, with low noise, high dynamic range and seemingly impossible performance requirements was a truly new challenge for ST – one that we were able to meet from the very beginning, with the first wafer from our 12” (300 mm) wafer fab in Crolles, France.”

Before Big Sky technology, capturing images on the Sphere’s 150,000 square-foot screen required the use of large camera arrays consisting of 10 to 15 off-the-shelf cinema cameras.

To date, Sphere Studios has filed over 10 patents related to Big Sky technology.

When it comes to sound, the system uses 167,000 speakers, amplifiers and processing channels, including the world’s largest speaker array, consisting of 1,586 permanently installed speakers and hundreds of mobile modules.

This technology is one reason The Edge said U2 is interested in opening the Sphere.

“(It’s) a canvas of unprecedented scale and image resolution, and a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We all thought about it and decided it would be crazy not to accept the invitation.”

Will there be more Sphere concert videos?

Other artists who have played or will play at Sphere include Phish and The Eagles.

While future concert videos are not on the cards for now, Sphere previously told Channel 13 that it continues to explore ways to use its technology to create new experiences for guests.

The U2 concert film will be shown alternately with Postcard From Earth. You can find out more about both concerts here.

As for future tour dates, Jim Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment, said he anticipates additional Eagles dates will be added to the calendar. During the company’s quarterly earnings call, he also said a country artist will be announced to perform at the Sphere in 2025.

According to Dolan, Sphere hosted 230 events this quarter, with 900,000 people attending.

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