The Venetian Resort begins testing its giant LED video arena

The Las Vegas skyline will soon be dominated by a giant spectacle. MSG Entertainment did started full test Off the Sphere, a 17,600-seat venue near The Venetian Resort that is defined by a massive (516 feet wide and 366 feet tall) animated dome and a wraparound interior 16K LED screen. It’s attractive from the outside, but the main attraction is the engrossment of live entertainment on display inside – it aims to rethink concert and cinematic experiences.

As MSG’s James Dolan and David Dribble explain Rolling stone, Its purpose is to effectively create VR experience without “damn glasses”. Producers use a special camera to create footage that surrounds the audience. There is also a unique 164,000-speaker audio system that can isolate specific sounds, or even narrow them down to certain sections of the audience. For example, one section could only hear Spanish-language dialogue.

Like “4D” movie theaters, MSG Sphere also has a sensory experience for some guests. About 10,000 seats have haptics, cool, hot air and scent. If you’re on a virtual trip to the Arctic, you might feel the chills while you watch.

The venue’s first performance will be on 29 September, when U2 will begin a 25-show run with custom production. The shows are effectively sold out, so you’ll have to rely on the inevitable flood of social media videos to see what the Sphere looks like during its opening ceremony. Partial screen testing took place this spring.

Whether this is a wise investment or not is not clear. Construction began in 2019, but the pandemic and technical complexity have pushed the expected cost up to $2.3 billion. This would make it the most expensive venue ever built in Las Vegas (even the Raiders’ elegant stadium cost ‘just’ $1.9 billion), and there is no guarantee that MSG will recoup its investment over time. . It’s also unclear what will happen after U2’s concerts, although eSports tournaments and mixed martial arts bouts are likely to be hosted.

However, the draw is clear. Large-scale concerts typically take place in stadiums where audio, visual, and seating arrangements are built around the game rather than the music itself. Even traditional concert halls haven’t changed much over the decades. In theory, you’ll be making a pilgrimage to the area to get an experience you can’t get anywhere else.