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The Sphere, MSG’s new entertainment arena in Las Vegas, US, was lit up for the first time this month as part of a pre-launch ahead of its official debut in September
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 10 Jul 2023
The show, dubbed ‘Hello World’, featured fireworks in honour of the Fourth of July Credit: Sphere Entertainment
The MSG Sphere entertainment arena in Las Vegas, US, was lit up for the first time in early July as part of a pre-launch ahead of its official launch in September.
Billed as the ‘largest LED screen on Earth’, the Sphere’s exterior, known as the Exosphere, consists of 580,000sq ft (53,883sq m) of the world’s highest resolution, fully programmable LED screens. It will be used to showcase a range of artistic and branded content throughout July before the Madison Square Garden-operated venue officially opens later this year.
Celebrating America’s Independence Day, the entertainment venue’s exterior was completely illuminated for July 4.
Dubbed ‘Hello World’, the show featured fireworks and animations of stars and stripes before seamlessly transitioning through a series of visual content including vibrant underwater scenes, lunar scapes and even performances.
“The Exosphere is more than a screen or a billboard – it’s living architecture and unlike anything that exists anywhere in the world,” said Guy Barnett, SVP of brand strategy and creative development at Sphere Entertainment.
“The show provided a glimpse of the Exopshere’s captivating power, and the possibilities for artists, partners and brands to create compelling and impactful stories to connect with audiences in new ways.”
The Exosphere will be used prominently when the Sphere opens with ‘U2: UV Achtung Baby Live’ in September.
In October, it will showcase the Sphere’s first experience; Postcard from Earth.
Described as a “sci-fi journey deep into our future as our descendants reflect on our shared home,” Postcard from Earth is directed by acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky, whose credits include Black Swan and The Whale.
It will transport viewers across the planet with immersive scenes from every continent and will utilise the venue’s state-of-the-art technologies, which include the world’s most advanced concert audio system and special effects such as scent and wind.
“At its best, cinema is an immersive medium that transports the audience out of their regular life, whether that its into fantasy and escapism, another place and time, or another person’s subjective experience. The Sphere is an attempt to dial up that immersion,” said Aronofsky.
“I see Sphere as a great opportunity to pluck people from the bling and thrum of the Vegas strip in all its human constructed madness and immerse them as fully as possible in the wonder, awe, and beauty of the natural world.”
The Sphere officially opens on September 29, 2023. Designed by stadium specialist Populous, the venue is the largest spherical structure in the world and will feature live performances, immersive experiences and sports competitions including wrestling and esports.
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