U2 "concert film" to generate big bucks in the same venue in which they appeared

[Mike Blakesley]

I just got this email:

V-U2

AN IMMERSIVE CONCERT FILM

V-U2 An Immersive Concert Film is a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience shown exclusively at Sphere. The concert film showcases the history-making and future-defining U2:UV show that played to over 700,000 fans from 100+ countries across 40 sold-out dates from Se⁠ptember 20⁠23 through Ma⁠rch 20⁠24.

You have to admire the ballsiness of this. They filmed the shows and put images of what they were filming on the giant screen. THE PEOPLE IN THE SEATS PAID BIG BUCKS TO BE THERE. Now they are going to double-dip by charging new people to watch the exact same footage they showed before. It's basically watching a concert video.

I mean, it'll be the exact same show played over the exact same sound and video system. The only major difference will be, the band members won't be there; they will be on their superyachts smoking fat cigars while the masses flock to the Sphere to see a movie of a concert featuring a movie. I heard rumors (unconfirmed by me) that U2 lip-synched at least parts of their show. If that's true then this will literally be the same thing, but without four guys there breathing the same air.

Is this the future of the concert business? "Are you going to the concert?" "Nah, I'll wait for the movie version which is being shown six months later in the same venue with the same sound system and the same recordings but for half the price."

If this thing does big bucks, they'll probably reformat it for Imax and take it on a world tour.

[Ryan Gallagher]

Reformatting sphere content for IMAX would hardly be the same show. Like pan&scan x100. But that doesn’t mean they won’t do it. Lol

[Marcel Birgelen]

I mean, it'll be the exact same show played over the exact same sound and video system. The only major difference will be, the band members won't be there; they will be on their superyachts smoking fat cigars while the masses flock to the Sphere to see a movie of a concert featuring a movie. I heard rumors (unconfirmed by me) that U2 lip-synched at least parts of their show. If that's true then this will literally be the same thing, but without four guys there breathing the same air.

Is this the future of the concert business? "Are you going to the concert?" "Nah, I'll wait for the movie version which is being shown six months later in the same venue with the same sound system and the same recordings but for half the price."

If this thing does big bucks, they'll probably reformat it for Imax and take it on a world tour.

Keep in mind that place is still a billion or two in the hole. Maybe U2 will be smoking some phat cigars, as they already got millions from the initial deal. But those running the place will likely have to hang in there for the next two decades to make the money back... if ever, because in 20 years, the technology in there, will be completely outdated.

It's a cool piece of technology, but given the investments necessary, it's hard to believe that place will ever make a profit. Enjoy it while it lasts...

[Mike Blakesley]

We are going to a concert there in about a month (Eagles) so I'm excited for that, but yeah, I can see where it's going to be a tough thing long-term. Of course it IS in Vegas, so there is a never ending supply of new customers streaming in every day.

They might make some good money on the movie they show whenever there is no other entainment booked in there. "Postcards from Earth" -- I hear that's pretty cool. If they just bought that outright and can monetize it forever, that'd be a good investment.

UPDATE: Tickets just went on sale.

They are only selling the middle 3 sections of the seating. That makes sense, considering the crowd is going to be looking at the screen instead of the stage so they want to ensure a good view for everyone. I suppose that still allows for about 4000 people.

Tickets are $205 for the very best middle section and $100 for the nosebleed seats, $145 to $160 for the midrange areas.

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[Marcel Birgelen]

Let us know how it was. I'll be visiting at the end of the year, no concert, will probably just try to catch whatever they're playing there, but I'm not going to pay more than a night in the presidential suite for a single ticket.

I've had some friends visiting and the reactions were a bit mixed, while most saw the potential of the technology, they didn't really think that "Postcard from Earth" was the biggest draw. It reminded them too much of the IMAX documentaries of old, but at a far too steep price point.

I think their challenge is the same as with all specialty formats: It is very expensive to make content for this type of venue and currently you only have one venue to show it. This is true for both movie presentations and live concerts. For smaller artists, the costs are so prohibitive, they'll probably never play there and for bigger artists it's probably only worthwhile if they can get some kind of residency, as they're not going to invest the money for all the content for a single show.

It would be interesting if there would be a process to "upscale" movies to such a screen, that's eventually how IMAX saved their business, but given the sheer size of that screen, I doubt it's economically viable. It's not just the lack of resolution, but also the framing of all the shots that need to be adapted.

But yeah, if this isn't going to fly in Vegas, then it will probably work nobody else either. I guess that's why projects for the Sphere in London are currently on-hold.

[Mike Blakesley]

Once the novelty wears off it will be hard to convince people to make it a regular stop. What are they going to do when all the classic rock acts are fully dead?

I'm looking forward to the Eagles concert but it's kind of a special occasion -- our 25th anniversary is coming up so we wanted to do something special. I can't imagine going there over and over though, I mean how many oversized graphics do you need to see? A regular concert with a stage is fine for me.

I'm curious what the NEXT big thing in Vegas will be.