U2 adds four more 2024 dates at Sphere
Uhas announced four final dates in Atomic City. With demand still high and the production drawing uniformly positive reviews from fans and media, U2 is closing its run Feb. 23-24 and March 1-2. Sphere Entertainment Co. and Live Nation announced the legendary Irish band’s plans Monday.
The band has billed the series as a venue launch rather than a residency, debuting “U2: UV Achtung Baby” in September. The single “Atomic City” was released as the production launched.
Presale tickets for U2.com paid subscribers closes at 10 p.m. Tuesday Pacific time, with a general ticket sale starting at 11 a.m. Friday at ticketmaster.com.
U2 reportedly has strong enough drawing power to continue into the fall, if the band liked, but these dates are held up as the end in Vegas.
Usher closes
The R&B superstar whose legal name is Usher Raymond IV packed a lot into his jam-packed shows at Dolby Live.
The wondrous singer, dancer and roller-skater serenaded the two-time champion Aces, led by A’ja Wilson. He has shared the stage with such fellow superstars as Bruno Mars (who actually announced the residency on NYE 2021) and Ludacris. He welcomed Jennifer Lopez, Doja Cat and Jessica Alba to his audience. He was honored with a “Key to the City of Las Vegas” on Oct. 17, dubbed “Usher Raymond Day” in the city.
So it was with tears and heartfelt sentiments that Usher bowed out of “My Way” on Saturday night. He cried while singing his collab with David Guetta, “Without You.”
This was Usher’s 100th performance at Park MGM, a nice round number to shut down the second of two Strip residencies, the first being at the Colosseum in ’21. We expect the 45-year-old headliner to perform live in 2024. But in what form?
According to Billboard and some entertainment industry buzz, Usher is reportedly mapping arena tour plans. But don’t bank on it. We see him back at Dolby Live next year. An announcement is expected to coincide with is Super Bowl halftime show.
I asked Usher at his key ceremony in October about re-upping at Dolby Live.
“I’m not thinking about the future yet. What I am doing is living in this present moment,” he said. “We will have sold 100 shows by the time I finished this next residency. I want to celebrate that. … I want it to be present. I want you to enjoy it with me.” Not a denial. Plenty of tickets to be sold in ‘24, and beyond. I’m holding onto my skates.
‘Rodeo’ bucks out
Miranda Lambert’s last goround on the Strip is spring ’24.
Announced Monday morning, the closing performances of Lambert’s blazing “Velvet
Rodeo” production at Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood run March 20, 22, 23, 27,
29, 30; and April 3, 5 and 6. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. Pacific time Friday (go to ticketmaster.com/mirandavegas).
Lambert emailed some thoughts over the weekend about her nine-pack of residency-closing performances:
On her favorite moments from the show thus far: “I’ve played every stage I think you can play as a performer — from bars and honky-tonks, to festivals and stadiums — and there are two things that come to mind that I have loved about ‘Velvet Rodeo.’ One is the fans who treat this show like a destination. They’re coming with a ‘you only live once’ attitude, and I love it. The second … It has to be the production we get to have behind the music nightafter-night. When we dream, we dream big, and this set delivers as it’s a Vegas-sized production.”
On any revelations from the experience: “The residency came about in a really important time in my life and career. I’m happier than I’ve ever been, I’ve been trying new things — like writing a book and starting a new record label — and I think a lot of that ambition stems from feeling so welcomed in Vegas with ‘Velvet Rodeo.’ I’m still the same girl from Texas, but this experience led me to want to expand even further, and I’m really grateful for that.”
On a possible return to Vegas: “After our residence wraps next spring, I’m gonna live a little more life, write about it … And see where it takes us! And start getting ready to make some new music. I’m inspired and excited.”
What Works In Vegas …
Depeche Mode at T-mobile Arena.
Sold out “clean,” as Live Nation exec Billy Conn, who owns that nickname, would say. After Friday’s show, it is clear the thirst for ’80s electro-pop is alive in Vegasville.
The now-duo of vocalist David Gahan and multi-instrumentalist Martin Gore flew through a set list punctuated by such persistent Depeche Mode staples as “Strangelove” (a delicate acoustic take), “Enjoy the Silence,” “Never
Let Me Down Again,” “Just Can’t Get Enough,” and the finale “Personal Jesus.”
”World In My Eyes,” tucked in the middle of the set, was dedicated to the later Andy Fletcher, the band’s co-founder whose image was displayed on the big screens. Fletcher died in May 2022 of a heart ailment.
Depeche Mode again proved it has met their decade’s demand for nostalgia. We’re commonly looking for Las Vegas theater residency candidates. This genre-bending band is in that class.
Cool Hang Alert
On the topic of ’80s musicology …
The Spazmatics are back at Chrome Showroom at Santa Fe Station at 9 p.m. Friday. No cover, but they cover it all in that decade. Gotta be 21-over.