Show Music, Pre-Show, DJ Pauli the PSM, and More

Original Story by Aaron J. Sams (2023-10-29)

Original Story: 2023-09-30
Last Updated: 2023-10-29

The 25 show residency at the Las Vegas Sphere has started. For each tour, we like to track the music used during the show. That includes the music played before the show, after the show, and any pre-recorded pieces during the show. We’ve been tracking some of these items going back to the PopMart tour now. This set of shows is no different.

For those that would like to listen along to some of these as you read through, fire up Spotify, we have a play list built over there. We keep play lists and information about previous tours and special shows here.

Ahead of the Show

When the audience first enters Sphere, prior to DJ Pauli the PSM taking the stage, a handful of songs can be heard over the PA each night. These tend to be from full albums. Over the first five shows the following tracks have been heard:

  • Vangelis: “Blush Response”, “Wait for Me”, “Tales of the Future”, “Blade Runner Blues” (from the Blade Runner Soundtrack)
  • Kraftwerk: “Europe Endless”, “Hall of Mirrors”, “Die Roboter”
  • Brian Eno: “King’s Lead Hat”, “Everything Merges With the Night”
  • David Bowie: “Speed of Life”, “Breaking Glass”, “What in the World”, “Always Crashing in the Same Car”, “Be My Wife”, “A New Career in a New Town”, “Warszawa”, “Art Decade”, “Subterraneans”, “Be My Wife”
  • Bobby Darin: “Beyond the Sea”, “Splish Splash”
  • Fred Astaire: “Cheek to Cheek”

These tracks tend to be full albums, played over time. Expect to hear tracks from them in the early part of each show.

DJ Pauli The PSM, Atomic MC

DJ Pauli The PSM, Atomic MC, is acting as a DJ for the show, taking stage about an hour before U2 arrives on stage. (Usually starting between 7:30 and 8:00 at the shows to date, he plays for about an hour.)

He plays a mix of music while traveling through the crowd in a Trabant lit with neon lights, shimmering neon lights…there is no break between DJ Pauli’s set and the main show, and U2 take the stage immediately after Pauli has finished.

For an idea of what DJ Pauli the PSM, Atomic MC is playing we have the following full lists from the first five shows:

September 29, 2023:
“Rockit” – Herbie Hancock / “Intergalactic” – The Beastie Boys / “Genius of Love” – Tom Tom Club / “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele / “Praise You” – Fatboy Slim / “She Wants You to Move” – N.E.R.D. / “Hella Good” – No Doubt / “You’re The Best Thing About Me” – U2 / “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen / “Don’t You Want Me” – The Human League / “Drive My Car” – The Beatles / “Lady Marmalade” – Pink, Christina Aguilera, Mya and Lil’ Kim / “War” – Edwin Starr / “Funkytown” – Lipps Inc./ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – Eurythmics / “Run the World (Girls)” – Beyoncé / “Salome” – U2 / “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” – Daft Punk / “Blue Monday” – New Order / “Also Sprach Zarathustra” – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / “Viva Las Vegas” – Elvis Presley / “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana / “American Pie” – Don McLean / “Teenage Kicks” – Undertones / “Nothing Compares 2U” – Sinead O’Connor / “The Chain” – Fleetwood Mac (Cuts Off)

September 30, 2023
“Atomic” – Blondie / “Let’s Dance” – David Bowie / “Drive My Car” – The Beatles / “Praise You” – Fatboy Slim / “Genius of Love” – Tom Tom Club / “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley / “Don’t You Want Me” – The Human League / “Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads / “War” – Edwin Starr / “Rock the Casbah” – The Clash / “Video Killed the Radio Star” – Buggles / “Rocks Off” – Rolling Stones / “Cars” – Gary Numan / “Blue Monday” – New Order / “Human” – Killers / “Smooth Operator” – Sade / “Satisfaction” – Rolling Stones / “Ray of Light” – Madonna / “I’m Coming Out” – Donna Summer / “I Feel Love” – Donna Summer / “I Would Die 4U” – Prince / “Bennie and the Jets” – Elton John / “Nothing Compares 2U” – Sinead O’Connor / “Also Sprach Zarathustra” – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / “Viva Las Vegas” – Elvis / “The Chain” – Fleetwood Mac / “Boys are Back in Town” – Thin Lizzy / “Seven Nation Army” – White Stripes / “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor / “Life in the Fastlane” – Eagles / “Highway to Hell” – AC/DC (Cuts Off)

October 5, 2023
“Atomic” – Blondie / “Let’s Dance” – David Bowie / “Staying Alive” – Bee Gees / “Burning Down the House” – Talking Heads / “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele / “Praise You” – Fatboy Slim / “Valerie” – Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse / “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley / “Kiss” – Prince and the Revolution / “Genius of Love” – Tom Tom Club / “Connected” – Stereo MCs / “Hella Good” – No Doubt / “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen / “Another Brick in the Wall” – Pink Floyd / “Heart of Glass” – Blondie / “Bizarre Love Triangle” – New Order / “Drive My Car” – The Beatles / “Don’t You Want Me” – The Human League / “Le Freak” – Chic / “Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads / “War” – Edwin Starr / “Funkytown” – Lipps Inc. / “Groove is in the Heart” – Deee-lite / “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – Eurythmics / “Just Can’t Get Enough” – Depeche Mode / “Blue Monday” – New Order / “Rock the Casbah” – The Clash / “Video Killed the Radio Star” – Buggles / “Cars” – Gary Numan / “Smooth Operator” – Sade / “Rocks” – Primal Scream / “Satisfaction” – The Rolling Stones / “Living on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi / “Also Sprach Zarathustra” – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / “Viva Las Vegas” – Elvis Presley / “Teenage Kicks” – Undertones / “Satisfaction” – The Rolling Stones

October 7, 2023
“Atomic” – Blondie / “Let’s Dance” – David Bowie / “Staying Alive” – Bee Gees / “Burning Down the House” – Talking Heads / “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele / “Praise You” – Fatboy Slim / “Valerie” – Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse / “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley / “Kiss” – Prince and the Revolution / “Genius of Love” – Tom Tom Club / “Hella Good” – No Doubt / “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen / “Another Brick in the Wall” – Pink Floyd / “Drive My Car” – The Beatles / “Don’t You Want Me” – The Human League / “Le Freak” – Chic / “Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads / “War” – Edwin Starr / “Funkytown” – Lipps Inc. / “Groove is in the Heart” – Deee-Lite / “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – Eurythmics / “Just Can’t Get Enough” – Depeche Mode / “Blue Monday” – New Order / “Rock the Casbah” – The Clash / “Video Killed the Radio Star” – Buggles / “Cars” – Gary Numan / “Satisfaction” – The Rolling Stones / “Living on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi / “Wonderwall” – Oasis / “Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinead O’Connor / “Also Sprach Zarathustra” – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / “Viva Las Vegas” – Elvis / “Teenage Kicks” – Undertones / “Call Me” – Blondie / “Viva La Vida” – Coldplay / “Love Will Tear Us Apart” – Joy Division (Cuts Off…)

October 8, 2023
“Atomic” – Blondie / “Let’s Dance” – David Bowie / “Staying Alive” – Bee Gees / “Burning Down the House” – Talking Heads / “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele / “Praise You” – Fatboy Slim / “Valerie” – Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse / “Superstition” – Stevie Wonder / “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley / “Kiss” – Prince and the Revolution / “Genius of Love” – Tom Tom Club / “Need You Tonight” – INXS / “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen / “Another Brick in the Wall” – Pink Floyd / “Drive My Car” – The Beatles / “Don’t You Want Me” – The Human League / “Le Freak” – Chic / “Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads / “War” – Edwin Starr / “Funkytown” – Lipps Inc. / “Groove is in the Heart” – Deee-lite / “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” Eurythmics / “Just Can’t Get Enough” – Depeche Mode / “Blue Monday” – New Order / “Rock the Casbah” – The Clash / “Video Killed the Radio Star” – Buggles / “That Don’t Impress Me Much” – Shania Twain / “Cars” – Gary Numan / “Ray of Light” – Madonna / “You’ve Got the Love” (Remix) – Florence + The Machine / “Smooth Operator” – Sade / “Rocks” – Primal Scream / “Mandinka” – Sinead O’Connor / “Satisfaction” – The Rolling Stones / “Living on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi / “Seven Nation Army” – White Stripes / “When Doves Cry” – Prince / “I Would Die 4 U” – Prince / “Wonderwall” – Oasis / “Also Sprach Zarathustra” – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / “Viva Las Vegas” – Elvis / “Teenage Kicks” – Undertones / “Baby Turns Blue” – Virgin Prunes / “Tainted Love” – Soft Cell / “Call Me” – Blondie / “Running on Empty” – Jackson Browne / “Love Will Tear Us Apart” – Joy Division

October 13, 2023

“Atomic” – Blondie / “Let’s Dance” – David Bowie / “Staying Alive” – Bee Gees / “Burning Down the House” – Talking Heads / “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele / “Praise You” – Fatboy Slim / “Valerie” – Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse / “I Wish” – Stevie Wonder / “A Little Less Conversation” – Elvis vs JXL / “Tub Thumping” – Chumbawumba / “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley / “Kiss” – Prince / “Need You Tonight” – INXS / “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen / “Another Brick in the Wall” – Pink Floyd / “Heart of Glass” – Blondie / “Drive My Car” – The Beatles / “Don’t You Want Me” – Human League / “Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads / “Le Freak” – Chic / “War” – Edwin Starr / “Funkytown” – Lipps Inc. / “Groove is in the Heart” – Deee-Lite / “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – Eurthymics / “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper / “Just Can’t Get Enough” – Depeche Mode / “Blue Monday” – New Order / “Rock the Casbah” – The Clash / “Video Killed the Radio Star” – Buggles / “Jump” – Van Halen / “Cars” – Gary Numan / “Rocks” – Primal Scream / “Mandinka” – Sinead O’Connor / “Satisfaction” – Rolling Stones / “Wonderwall” – Oasis / “Also Sprach Zarathustra” – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / “Viva Las Vegas” – Elvis / “Get Around” – Beach Boys / “Teenage Kicks” – Undertones / “Tainted Love” – Soft Cell / “Call Me” – Blondie / “Love Will Tear Us Apart” – Joy Division / “Sex is On Fire” – Kings of Leon

October 27, 2023

The following is not a complete listing:
“Atomic” – Blondie / “Let’s Dance” – David Bowie / “Staying Alive” – Bee Gees / “Burning Down the House” – Talking Heads / “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele / “Praise You” – Fatboy Slim / “Valerie” – Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse / “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley / “Kiss” – Prince / “Need You Tonight” – INXS / “Drive My Car” – The Beatles / “Don’t You Want Me” – Human League / “Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads / “War” – Edwin Starr / “Get into the Groove” – Madonna / “Groove is in the Heart” – Deee-Lite / “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – Eurthymics / “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper / “Just Can’t Get Enough” – Depeche Mode / “Bizarre Love Triangle” – New Order / “Rock the Casbah” – The Clash / “Cars” – Gary Numan / “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran / “Daydream Believer” – The Monkees / “Go West” – Pet Shop Boys / “Seven Nation Army” – White Stripes / “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana

Their set goes right into the remix of “Lemon” that sets up U2’s show, and there is no break between his set and the main show otherwise.

Pre-Show Song

The last song before U2 takes the stage cuts off the music that Pauli The PSM had been playing. It will cut in mid-song and takes over the PA.

The opening song of U2’s performance is a brand new remix of “Lemon” played over the PA system. It was heard for the first time when the first show opened in Las Vegas, and has been used nightly. The new version of the song features new vocal elements, including the “she wore” repeat, recorded by longtime collaborator, Gavin Friday. (It was Gavin that did vocals for “The Fly” during the 2015 tour intermission.) The mix here is mixed with elements and lyrics from “I Feel Love”, the song originally made popular by Donna Summer. The mix may have a new vocal over top of this part as well.

Following the remix of “Lemon” is a piece labeled “Brian Eno Choral Intro” on the set list. The song appears to be a new mix, crafted from Eno’s “Deep Blue Day”, which he worked on with Danny Lanois and Roger Eno. The track has definitely been “adjusted” from the original but you can hear the building blocks there.

From there U2 are on stage, with Bono singing what he describes as a Sean-nós style introduction to the song, “I, I could have found you, I, I what are you hiding from me, alone, and not alone, alone, and not alone” he sang on October 8, “I, I could have found you, I, where are you hiding from me, alone, and not alone, alone and not alone” on the previous night. He’s been using a similar introduction since the 1990s at times, but back then it was usually “I, I could have lost you”.

Post-Show Song

There are two songs which are played over the PA after the end of the show.

The first features a vocal by a female singer, and is an unreleased song (at least for now.) The song is titled “Glorify” and has been played directly after “Beautiful Day” each night. Since October 11, 2023, Bono has been singing along on most nights to the first verse, sometimes on the microphone, and sometimes not. On October 28, Bono identified the vocalist on the track as Brittany Howard. Howard, who is known as rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist for Alabama Shakes, Thunderbitch, and Bermuda Triangle has recently signed with Island Records, and a new solo album is expected this fall.

The second song is by Louis Armstrong, “What A Wonderful World” played as people exit Sphere. Bono has also been including the song as part of “Beautiful Day” on a number of occasions during performances.

Thank You

Tim, Kelly, Harry, Paul, Sherry, Jason, Sallie — Thank you for your help here.

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