While the plentiful bars, restaurants and casinos will keep you occupied late into the night in Las Vegas – there is a new must-see attraction in town: The Las Vegas Sphere
Las Vegas was never short of things to see and do, but in the last couple of years, a new must-visit has emerged to dominate Sin City’s skyline.
Opening in September 2023 with a residency from Irish rockers U2, the Sphere is one of the world’s strangest and most original entertainment venues. As well as now being one of the most in-demand concert stages in the world, the Sphere also acts as a fully immersive, 360-degree cinema.
I watched the 1930s classic, The Wizard of Oz, originally shot for a 4:3 movie screen, transporting its audience back in time and making them feel like they are travelling down the Yellow Brick Road alongside Dorothy and friends.
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The original film’s score was re-recorded with new clarity, capitalising on the Sphere’s ability to direct sound anywhere in the venue. More than 2,000 people worked for over two years to bring the reimagined version to life, giving this classic piece of cinema the most modern feel imaginable.
Despite having seen clips online from inside the Sphere, I was taken aback by the 360-degree nature. Looking directly above your head to follow a movie as well as the screen in front of you feels somewhat odd.
The Sphere’s 160,000 square-foot (1,4864 sq-m) interior display plane is the world’s highest-resolution LED screen. But even more unusual is the 4D nature of the venue, with the visual effects just part of the Sphere experience.
If you’ve managed to miss the Wizard of Oz for the last 86 years, spoiler alert, a tornado causes young Dorothy to be knocked unconscious, which is when her journey to the Emerald City begins. While the tornado happens on the screen in front of you, winds blow through the Sphere while leaves fall onto your lap.
Fog fills the air thanks to 20 units while flying butterflies in Munchkinland and giant winged monkeys soar over the audience at other points during the film. More than 500 apples rain down on the audience from 33 hatches in the ceiling, or from trees if you don’t want to ruin the illusion, while 38 snow machines come into their own during the poppy field scene.
While the show was enjoyable and the technology on display is impressive, I’d like to see a concert at the venue rather than a movie, as I think that is when it would really come into its own.
From the outside, the Sphere is unmistakable. It dominates the Strip, particularly in the evening when it lights up the night sky. Companies pay millions to advertise on its exterior, while it played highlights of the Las Vegas Grand Prix during the race in November.
When Max Verstappen crossed the line to win and keep his title hopes alive, the Sphere transformed into a giant chequered flag fluttering as he took the acclaim of thousands of race fans that had descended on Sin City.