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# Even better than the real thing.
- URL: https://brilliantcrank.com/even-better-than-the-real-thing/
- Published: 2023-11-06T19:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-02-19T19:30:31.000Z
- Author: Greg Storey
- Tags: #observations

Last Wednesday [Brett Harned](https://brettharned.com/?ref=brilliantcrank.com) and I took our wives to experience U2 playing at the Sphere. TL;DR: Wow! Magnificent! U2 is still amazing and the Sphere’s debut is incredible.

I have no doubt there are hundreds of articles and blog posts about the experience. Hell, there are bootlegs of the entire show bouncing around YouTube if you want to get a TikTok-sized glimpse. So I'll stick to a few unique observations.

In any other place—with the exception of Hong Kong—the Sphere would certainly dominate the city skyline. Tucked into Vegas it feels like a curious addition to the existing, over-the-top gigantic light features all vying for attention It will definitely dominate the televised coverage of the Las Vegas Grand Prix in a few weeks. The Sphere is a new, incredible wonder of the world and I hope to see more performances there in the future. Especially as they figure out how to really use all of the technology. Today it feels like playing a new game on a new game console (PS3 > PS4 > PS5). A huge improvement from the generation before, but the games only give a glimpse of what’s possible. The same will be true about the Sphere. 

Having said that the show did not disappoint and U2 rocked—they haven’t lost a beat or a note. The band showed no signs of slowing down and it’s incredible to see [how far they have come](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMFJR-sZlS4&ref=brilliantcrank.com).

One pleasant surprise was the ambient music playing in the lobby (the sound was incredible there too). At first, I thought it was just any other chill mix, but after a few songs in it was clear these tracks were made from elements of *Achtung Baby*. Both Brett and I commented on wanting to buy an album but we did not find anything at the merch tables. 

Back at home, I found [some background and a full tracklist](https://www.u2songs.com/discography/u2%5Fspace%5Fbaby%5Fdigital%5Fsite?ref=brilliantcrank.com). Even better, someone posted [*Space Baby*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMLRz4Q5xzM&ref=brilliantcrank.com), the entire LP on YouTube. After a minute or two I was easily able to download the file, convert it to audio, and start playing on the HomePods. Now I just need to replace all of my lights with blacklight and I’ll have my own HomeSphere™. Joking aside, I hope U2 digs into their back catalog and produces more of these alternative takes on all the songs we love.

I wholeheartedly recommend the show and the entire experience. As I post this, U2 has added two more months to their residency. This is the perfect time for YOLO. You’ll be glad you did.