Sphere is Circling Back to U2 With Immersive Concert Film ‘V-U2’ Co-Directed by The Edge

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Sphere is Circling Back to U2 With Immersive Concert Film ‘V-U2’ Co-Directed by The Edge

As a longtime U2 enthusiast and someone who has attended countless live concerts, I am absolutely thrilled about the upcoming immersive concert film, V-U2! Having missed out on seeing them live during their glory days, this is an incredible opportunity for me to finally experience the energy and beauty of a U2 concert. The use of Sphere’s haptic seats and Big Sky camera system will undoubtedly bring the show to life in a way that no other medium can.

Sphere is circling back to U2.

As a diehard fan, I’m thrilled to announce that the revolutionary Las Vegas entertainment venue has officially confirmed the presentation of “V-U2”, an immersive concert film directed by Morleigh Steinberg and band member The Edge. This extraordinary cinematic experience, set to debut on September 5, promises to be a unique tribute to the legendary band U2, focusing on their groundbreaking inaugural run with U2:UV – “Achtung Baby” Live at Sphere. Can’t wait to be there!

Over a span of 7 months from September 2023 to March 2024, U2 performed in front of approximately 700,000 fans at sold-out shows spanning 40 different dates. These shows celebrated one of U2’s most successful albums, the 1991 release “Achtung Baby,” by playing it in its entirety along with selected tracks from various other U2 albums throughout their career. The filming for this event was done exclusively using Big Sky, a cutting-edge ultra-high-resolution camera system developed by Sphere Entertainment. This setup aimed to give viewers the sensation of attending the live performances themselves. Additionally, the film “V-U2” incorporates Sphere’s haptic seats, which use vibrations to simulate the music’s rhythm for an immersive experience.

“The aim was to offer movie audiences an immersive U2:UV concert-like experience, even surpassing it, as stated by The Edge. He admitted he had never witnessed a U2 performance before, but he’s grateful for catching this outstanding one. Steinberg added that the production process was uncertain, given their knowledge of technology’s capabilities, but unanticipated. The creation of this film turned into a genuine collaboration among the band, artists, producers, and tech teams. The result is a cinematic journey that takes viewers straight into the heart of the live performance’s energy and beauty.”

I had the pleasure of being involved in the creation of “V-U2” as a fan, which was masterfully crafted by The Edge, Bono, Adam Clayton, and producer Alan Moloney. Stefaan “Smasher” Desmedt, who previously directed the original show, took on the role of associate director for the film. The music production was expertly handled by Jacknife Lee and Joe O’Herlihy, longtime U2 sound directors. Andrew Shulkind from Sphere Studios was our Director of Photography, while Robert Rivers Malina edited the project at Sphere Studios. Irving and Jeffrey Azoff, leaders of U2’s management team, are credited as executive producers for this incredible film.

“Josephine Vaccarello, responsible for live bookings at Sphere under MSG Entertainment, shared that ‘V-U2‘ is a pioneering immersive film. This movie will replicate U2’s innovative live Sphere performances and make viewers feel like they are actually there. The concert film has been tailored exclusively for the Sphere venue, utilizing its advanced technologies to deliver an experience that can only be achieved with this cutting-edge entertainment platform.”

The tickets for sale, initially priced at $100, become accessible to the public on August 23rd. After U2’s performances, Sphere hosted shows by Phish followed by an extended stint from Dead and Company. Next in line is a series of shows by the Eagles. In terms of cinema, Sphere also showcased Darren Aronofsky’s film titled “Postcard from Earth“.

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2024-08-22 11:24