V-U2 Debut for Fans in Vegas

Original Story by Aaron J Sams (2024-09-04)

On September 3, U2 debuted V-U2, a film directed by The Edge and Morleigh Steinberg, showing exclusively at Sphere in Las Vegas. The show officially debuts on September 5, 2024 officially, but up first was a special invite-only screening via U2.com. Approximately 150 fans were in attendance for the event. The film was captured on three nights of the U2:UV appearances at Sphere, February 23 and 24, and March 1. The shows were filmed with the Big Sky cameras used for filming content for Sphere. The film features Sphere Immersive sound, and haptic seats which use vibration to add depth to the experience. It also features a specially tailored “U2 Experience” ahead of the show.


IMAGE: The Stage on Screen (Courtesy of David H.)

The show runs for 77 minutes and features the following songs:

  • “Lemon” (Sphere Remix)
  • “Zoo Station”
  • “The Fly”
  • “Even Better Than the Real Thing”
  • “Mysterious Ways”
  • “One” / “Love Me Tender”
  • “Until the End of the World”
  • “All I Want is You” / “Walk on the Wild Side”
  • “Desire” / “My Way”
  • “Atomic City”
  • “Vertigo”
  • “Where the Streets Have No Name”
  • “With or Without You”
  • “Beautiful Day” / “Gloria”

Missing from the show are songs “When Love Comes to Town”, “Love Rescue Me”, “Angel of Harlem” (filmed on March 1), “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses”, “Tryin’ to Throw Your Arms Around the World”, “Acrobat”, “So Cruel”, “Ultra Violet (Light My Way)”, “Love is Blindness”, and “Elevation”. “Beautiful Day” plays over the final credits of the film as the credits roll, during this, the band can be seen in some close up footage among the credits, including some footage from the March 2 final show. The film in general uses the angle that you would be seeing the show from had you attended a show in person, and watched from the best seats in the house. The stage is slightly further to the back, appearing on the screen, and the screen itself shows scenes you would have seen in the concert itself. The first five songs are almost entirely from this perspective, but starting with “One” we see some additional angles.

Ken, who reached out with some thoughts about the film reports, “They very faithfully capture how the concert looked for those seeing it from the seats. When I first saw the band on stage for Zoo Station, it felt like there was an almost 3D effect, as there was depth to the view of the stage. The sound to the film was perfect of course. That’s the element of concerts at Sphere that seems to not be talked about as much as it should. They used the shaking effect for our seats at least 3 times, including during the intro of Zoo Station and the explosion sounds for Until. Crowd applause noise is also heard in the rears speakers at times throughout the show. Fans were applauding in person, so it was sometimes hard to tell how much was the recorded applause.”


IMAGE: The Credits (Courtesy of David H.)

Ken also shares with us, “I was a little surprised that the majority of the film was from the static camera angle and expected they would mix in close up stage images throughout songs. What they have is a pretty faithful copy of how it looked in person from seats, but doesn’t pick up how it looked for those in GA. The film also kind of serves as a demonstration of what Sphere is capable of, by mainly choosing the songs that made best use of the screens. Unfortunately, a musical highlight like So Cruel with it’s minimal visual presentation is missing.” (Thanks Ken!)


IMAGE: The film audience look into the concert audience (Courtesy of David H.)

Fans were asked to be at Sphere for a 9:30pm door open. Guests were invited to visit the atrium of the Sphere for 45 minutes with the film, V-U2 starting at 10:15pm. Ahead of the show, the outside of the Sphere was seen flashing a series of words in colourful lights, taken from “The Fly”, as well as a now familiar U2:UV logo, now reading U2V instead. Advertising for the new film is heavy throughout Las Vegas, including videos and ads playing in the baggage collection areas.


IMAGE: Close Up of the T-Shirt (Courtesy of Melissa S.)

Fans were let in via the West VIP Entry, set up with signs announcing that it was the “V-U2 fan screening entry”. A complimentary shirt is given out to fans upon entering the venue, which features the “Zoo Station” graphics on one side and the “V” logo in yellow on the other which says “U2 an immersive concert film at Sphere Las Vegas” below the logo. (Also available to purchase for $50.) The Atrium area is decorated with logos and artwork from throughout U2’s career on the mirrored surfaces. One of the interactive exhibit allows people to move around to hear Johnny Cash sing “The Wanderer” and then to hear Bono singing the song by standing in a different location. (This Bono vocal was described as a vocal he recorded so Johnny Cash would be able to follow what the band wanted, and that it’s the first time being heard outside of the original recordings sessions.) Robots in the Atrium also ask U2 trivia. Photos from the Achtung Baby album are displayed in the lobby and more.


IMAGE: T-Shirts for Sale in the Atrium (Courtesy of Melissa S.)

Six hours before the film debuted, Morleigh Steinberg, who directed the film with The Edge posted a number of photos from Las Vegas surrounding the film to her Instagram feed. It is no surprise that she is present at the launch last night as well. Although she did address fans briefly in the Atrium to ask them to enjoy the film and have a good time, she did not speak ahead of the film inside the Sphere itself. She did take time to say hello to some fans at the end of the evening. No member from the band, nor Bram van den Berg, were present at Sphere for the showing. Ahead of the fan viewing party it was confirmed on social media channels that they would not be present at the events at Sphere this week, neither this fan party nor the opening night. There’s been talk that Bono wasn’t even on the same continent…

Many thanks to Ken L., David H., and Melissa S.. for their help in covering the event. Appreciate that you took time from your own experience to send some notes, photos, and more to give those of us at home a little glimpse into the show.

Update: September 6, 2024

The opening night for the public has come and gone. Some of the graphics in the lobby area have been updated so they can be more easily seen on the mirrored surfaces. The film and the experience in the lobby area remained the same as the night of the fan preview. Sales were good for the opening night. But it was not sold out.

Although only one item of merchandise was available for the fan event (see above photo), a number of items were available tonight. We’ve got a short list below.

  • Hoodie (Black, zip up, U2UV-V Logo on front, Zoo Station photo on back) ($90)
  • Hoodie (Black, U2UV-V Logo on Front, V Logo on back) ($90)
  • Foil Poster (Light Crack Photo, U2UV-V Logo above Stage) ($30)
  • Foil Poster (Zoo Station Photo with U2UV-V Logo at bottom) ($30)
  • V-U2 T-Shirt (Black T-Shirt, Light Crack Photo Front, V Logo on back) ($50)
  • V-U2 T-Shirt (Black T-Shirt, Zoo Station Photo Front, V Logo on back) ($50)
  • Ball cap (Black, yellow V in front, U2UV-V logo on back in yellow and pink) ($40)
  • Dog Tags (Black, with U2UV-V logo on one side and a number on other) ($20)
  • Pin Set (Yellow V on one, U2UV-V logo on other, black backgrouns) ($10)

The designs featuring a photo from the film are one of two. One design is just as the light cracks through the wall at the opening of “Zoo Station” and no band can be seen. This design includes the stage visible below it. We are calling this the ‘Light Crack’ design. The other design is later during “Zoo Station” and the band can be seen in the screen images. We’ve called this the ‘Zoo Station’ design.

And some photos courtesy of U2gigs on Twitter / X:

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