p>A sequence of apocalyptic visuals opens the scene. A distant, hollow sound hints at a magnitude 7.5 earthquake. A colossal globe sweeps over major cities like Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo. Fans from all ages vanish from view and reappear in a remote desert where a newborn face is framed inside the globe. Is it a UFO, a Chinese bubble, or something else entirely? U2’s Achtung Baby signals a return to the stage this fall, with Las Vegas hosting a monumental Sphere venue described as the world’s largest global structure. Amid the promotion, controversy erupts around a recent event. Were unidentified ammunition downloads exploited, or were preparations made in advance? That is only part of the debate. The Irish band will also perform a first tour without one founding member, a move they once insisted they would never undertake. Drummer Larry Mullen is singled out as the founder who set the group in motion decades ago.
Mullen, at age 15 in October 1976, posted a notice on a Dublin school bulletin to form a band. U2 remains the longest-running rock group with its original lineup intact. They performed only one official show without a member on November 26, 1993 in Sydney, when bassist Stuart Morgan filled in for the then-sober Adam Clayton. A Dutch drummer, Bram van den Berg, is stepping in on the drums as a stand-in while the band’s conscience, who has spoken openly about past health struggles, recovers. He shared with The Washington Post that injuries during Covid-era inactivity prompted a period of self-reflection and healing, acknowledging that his personal beliefs have shifted. He noted that everyone carries limits.
According to U2, the replacement on drums received the blessing of Larry Mullen. The band’s youngest member, now 61, is dedicating time to recovery. Bono explained that the ensemble will need all its resources to perform at the Sphere without their drummer, while welcoming van den Berg, a force in his own right, alongside Edge and Adam Clayton.
U2 reports being offered a chance they could not refuse: to begin with a Las Vegas residency at the Sphere, a 20,000-seat pavilion standing 112 meters tall and 157 meters wide. The venue, with a surface area larger than three football fields, features a wraparound LED display and a highly refined audio system. With 164,000 speakers and advanced vibration technology, the space aims to deliver a multi-sensory, immersive experience that includes wind and scent effects to heighten the sense of being inside the music. The Sphere project in Las Vegas is connected to the MSG Sphere brand and marks a major investment, with construction dating back to 2018 and an estimated cost in the billions.
As Edge describes, the Sphere’s appeal lies in cutting-edge technology that creates a distinctive stage and a platform for immersive landscapes that blend real and imagined realms. He calls it a canvas of immense scale and clarity, offering a rare chance for the band to push live music into a new realm. The group’s decision to participate reflects a belief that this is the right moment and the right place for such an ambitious collaboration.
U2 will bring Achtung Baby to life at the Sphere, continuing a tradition of landmark residencies once associated with icons like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley and later followed by artists such as Elton John, Celine Dion, and Sting. The revived set is expected to feature the band’s enduring hits, including One, Even Better Than the Real Thing, and Mysterious Ways, alongside other signature tracks. The show aims to transcend prior audio-visual experiences and to build on the momentum of past tours as the 30th anniversary of the era nears completion. A return to the stage is framed as a reunion with fans, a moment to witness the band in an environment designed to foster intimate, shared moments.
The group emphasizes the goal of reconnecting with their audience and delivering a live experience that feels new while honoring their legacy. Details about ticketing are reserved for fan channels, and pricing is expected to be a factor for many listeners, though the experience promises to redefine what a concert can feel like in a purpose-built, technologically charged setting.