Living up to the hype at the Las Vegas Sphere and its jaw-dropping immersive storytelling capabilities

Could you share your experience in Las Vegas and how it influenced your work regarding

Over the last two decades, I've both participated in, and created, various immersive experiential works, ranging from dramatic introspective artworks for experienced theatre audiences to outlandish entertainment for corporate clients. But always aiming to captivate and transport audiences into new realms of imagination. So, when the opportunity arose to journey to Las Vegas with the creative team from BRS, I was excited to delve into what this iconic city had to offer in terms of cutting-edge entertainment and immersive experiences.

Honestly: Vegas isn't really my scene. (Or perhaps it's too much my scene for me to dare admit to myself? The jury is still out.) Its transient nature and overwhelming focus on catering to tourists can be off-putting. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't top my list of destinations. However, there were two new experiences there that drew me in irresistibly.

The first destination was the Sphere. It's hard not to feel a mix of awe and uncertainty about it. Is this truly the future of entertainment? or another spectacle designed to dazzle that can't possibly live up to the hype? As we ventured in to watch

( or U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere, to give it its correct name) with the throngs of audience members, I was sucked into the excitement. The scale of this thing is incredible, once inside I found it hard to just enjoy and kept doing the maths on how many people x ticket prices + drink costs x thirst + merch… The resulting numbers were as staggering as the screen size. Once Bono and the boys started I couldn’t slip into the concert feeling, simply because it is not a concert. What it is I am not sure; the spectacle really is hard to describe.

The visuals are incredible, the impact breath-taking, the smart introduction of the venue capabilities was inspiring! Oh, and look there is also a live band down there on the stage! A fact that was easy to forget in amongst all the splendour. I couldn’t take it all in, so looked around at the predominantly older demographic that can afford the experience. This, all but stationary audience, were slack-jawed other than to sporadically take out their phones to try to capture the proceedings. Few on the dance floor even swayed, but this is not to say there was anything in the room but joy and appreciation. While some critique the Sphere, citing a disconnect between band and audience, you can’t deny the impact it had on the crowd; caught between contemplation and immersion. Yet, amidst this dichotomy, there was incredible beauty, but it still didn’t quite win my heart.

How did the behind-the-scenes tour of

and its technological innovations influence your thoughts on the future trajectory of live entertainment?

We were incredibly fortunate to get a behind-the-scenes tour which offered a glimpse into the intricate machinery behind the spectacle. It was humbling in scale and level of innovation required to bring the Sphere to life. And incredible built-for-purpose technical solutions not yet unveiled. The level of future proofing within the space is impressive, with innovations that have not yet been unveiled. As we explored the vastness and potential of the venue, I fell in love with the magnificence of the venue in a way the actual show hadn’t managed. Will this be a fleeting trend, or the new standard for pushing the boundaries of live performances? While uncertain, one thing is clear: The Sphere represents a bold step forward in entertainment, challenging conventions and sparking dialogue.

Reflecting on your time at Meow Wolf's Omega Mart, in what ways has it reshaped your understanding of the possibilities for immersive storytelling within the entertainment sector?

Area15 is a haven for a Vegas style of avant-garde nestled away from the neon-lit chaos of the Strip. Meow Wolf's Omega Mart beckoned with its surreal blend of scale and detail, inviting guests to lose themselves in a world where the impossible feels tangible. As overwhelming as the Sphere, because it is a free roaming space, literally brimming with endless digital and tactile details to lose yourself in, it remained surprisingly relatable. The narrative is outlandishly bizarre, but you explore it via telephone booths, supermarket products, and email folders. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face.

I was lucky to visit twice in the week and would have gone again if I had the chance. With the second visit, I took a different narrative, became a trainee at the store, and worked my way up the corporate ladder to uncover its sordid supernatural secrets. This new way to explore let me further surrender to the whimsy, relishing the freedom to explore without the pressure of understanding every intricacy of the world they have built.

It's this world building within immersive experiences that the magic lies for me. As guests grapple with an overwhelming sensory onslaught, they're discover that it's okay to simply shift focus to the parts that bring joy and take all the time needed to explore what fascinates and inspires them. Just like the real world, it's futile to aim for full understanding; maybe we should just give ourselves more often permission to simply revel in the wonder of the moment.