Featured image credit: The Sphere Vegas
The Las Vegas night somehow just got brighter. Locals have by now no doubt caught more than a glimpse of the MSG Sphere, properly known as the Exosphere. It’s pretty hard to miss… even from space, apparently. Plans nearly as big as the Exosphere itself surround the looming event venue. These include music, the arts, and even certain sports like mixed martial arts and boxing. But this isn’t just another arena.
Update: The Las Vegas Exosphere opened on September 29 to widespread acclaim. As planned, rock band U2 performed the entirety of their iconic Achtung Baby album. Afterward, they dove into a second full set of hits. All the while, the band were supported by the mind-bending visuals of the stage which lived up to, if not exceeded, audience expectations. It seem the Exosphere was worth the hype in the end.
A Pricey Addition to Las Vegas Nightlife
Just about a block east of the Las Vegas Strip, the MSG Exosphere stands proudly as an extension of the Venetian Las Vegas Resort. In fact, it will eventually connect to the luxury complex via a pedestrian walkway.
With its $2.3-billion price tag, the Exosphere has already outflanked some of the most luxurious Las Vegas properties including Allegiant Stadium and the Bellagio. Of course, some of that hefty cost is due to construction bills expanding during the global pandemic. Regardless, one thing is undeniable: it cost a pretty penny to bring the Exosphere into the world.
Yet, it was constructed at the uncompromising behest of CEO and billionaire James Dolan, perhaps best recognized as the mastermind behind Madison Square Garden. He employed one of the world’s leading design groups of sporting venues, Populous, to bring his vision to electrified life.
The MSG Exosphere is a Show in Itself
It’s a vision that the average Las Vegas resident will find hard to ignore. That’s because the Exosphere is scheduled to be in constant illumination.
The MSG Sphere was already fired up during the 4th of July, putting its approximately 1.2 million hockey puck-sized LEDs to the test. Vibrant animation displaying a cackling jack-o’-lantern, luminous fireworks, a lifelike eyeball, the moon, and more glowed in seamless animation across the 366 foot tall and 516 feet wide orb.
MSG Entertainment has already signed a deal to promote the NBA Summer League using the massive Exosphere. If successful, it could add up to a $25 million-per-year contract for marketing alone. Not a bad use of the largest orbicular structure on the planet.
Revolutionizing Arena-Style Entertainment
Of course, the Exosphere is about much more than animations and advertising. The orb houses a nearly 18,000-capacity state-of-the-art entertainment venue aiming to revolutionize what we’ve come to expect from arenas.
Performances will be visually supported by a looming 250 foot tall wraparound LED screen with a jaw dropping 16K resolution at 19,000 x 13,500 pixels. This marks not only the biggest LED screen in the world, but also the highest resolution screen ever created.
Such a vision needs outstanding sound to complement it. The Exosphere is equipped with a staggering 164,000 cutting edge speakers. Utilizing targeted spatial potential transmitted through ultra-modern wave field synthesis technology, MSG are ensuring there won’t be a bad seat in the house.
The 4D Entertainment Capabilities of the MSG Sphere
But the immersion promised by the Exosphere requires more than sight and sound. Over half of the venue’s seats are outfitted with advanced Haptic capabilities, allowing seats to move in sync with audio and visual input. The installation of 4D machines allows for control of wind effects, temperature adjustment, even fragrances for a fully enveloping audience experience.
Future Plans for the Exosphere
The big Formula One race coming to Las Vegas in November will also incorporate the Exosphere into its track. Drivers will speed around the MSG Sphere at one point of the race. The venue will even serve as a designated “fan zone.”
While Las Vegas residents have already been treated to hints of the venue’s capabilities, the Exosphere won’t officially open until September 29. At that point, mega rock band U2 will debut their 25-date residency entitled U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere. With tickets starting at 140 dollars, the band are promising an immersive experience centered on their classic 1991 album, Achtung Baby.
Early programming for the Exosphere also includes exclusive screenings of acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth. The film is designed to make the most of the Exosphere’s unique audio-visual setup, displaying our wondrous planet in a perspective never seen before.
Will the Exosphere change what we expect from arena-style venues? If so, Las Vegas seems the perfect place for it to happen!
