The Sphere, Las Vegas' new high-tech arena, has divided the opinions of rock giants. During an appearance on SiriusXM 's Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk on Wednesday, August 13th, Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson completely dismissed the idea of the band doing a residency at the venue, while Metallica has already shown great interest.
When asked about the possibility, Dickinson was direct: “No. It’s not Maiden.” For him, the essence of the band lies in the direct interaction with the audience, something that the immersive technology of the Sphere could overshadow.
“Maiden is about the relationship between the band and the audience. The show, although a spectacle, is an improvement on what we do,” explained the vocalist. “From what I understand about Sphere, the band would be very uncomfortable with the idea. We run around the stage, we move around, and in Sphere, what’s the point? In fact, what’s the point of a band being there?”
Metallica at Sphere: "I would love to do that"
In contrast to Iron Maiden, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich confirmed that the band is "considering" a residency at the Sphere for the fall of 2026 , after the end of the M72 . In an interview with The Howard Stern Show , Ulrich was full of praise.
“I was there on the first night of U2 , I wanted to see it with my own eyes before seeing it on YouTube . I was, like everyone else, completely blown away. I felt it was the beginning of a new chapter in live performances,” he revealed.
Lars was even more emphatic about his desire to play at the venue: "I'm not going to beat around the bush, I would love to do it, make no mistake about that."
Guitarist Kirk Hammett also expressed his enthusiasm in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter in April. “It’s a great example of how concert venues are changing. That’s using modern technology to the fullest to really elevate the levels of production and entertainment,” he commented.
Sphere Technology
Opened in September 2023, the Sphere has become a landmark in Las Vegas. With a capacity of 17,600 people, the arena is known for its immersive experiences, featuring a 16K resolution LED screen that surrounds the entire audience and a state-of-the-art sound system, the Sphere Immersive Sound . In addition, 10,000 of its seats are haptic, vibrating in sync with the show to enhance the experience.
The venue has previously hosted successful residencies by artists such as U2 , Phish , Dead & Company , and The Eagles U2 's debut featured 40 sold-out dates, attracting over 700,000 fans to celebrate the iconic album Achtung Baby .
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