U2 is set to wrap up the first-ever residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas at the beginning of next year. Bono and his band will play their final show on March 2.
At that point, it is entirely unclear as to who might takeover. Phish has already announced a four-night run at the end of April, but that’s just four nights.
Harry Styles is perhaps the No. 1 choice. Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Bon Jovi’s are among the rumored artists with interest.
According to the New York Post, another legendary jam band is also in the mix!
Dead & Company, a modern continuation of the Grateful Dead that includes John Mayer, is in talks with Madison Square Garden Entertainment about a residency at the Sphere. The conversations are still in the preliminary stages and sources warned the NY Post that it is “not 100%.”
However, should Bob Weir’s band ultimately come to an agreement, they would likely descend upon Las Vegas sometime next summer. That, too, is completely up in the air at the moment. Mayer will wrap up a 19-show solo tour in March and will probably want a few months to recoup.
Neither the Sphere nor Dead & Co. chose to comment about the possibility of an agreement.
Irving Azoff, the founder of Live Nation, is a friend of James Dolan. Dolan, in addition to his role as owner of the Knicks and Rangers, serves as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sphere Entertainment.
Azoff represents U2 and got a deal done with Sphere. He also represents Dead & Co.
Thus, for Mayer, Weir, Mickey Hart, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti and Jay Lane to be on a potential fast track to residency makes a lot of sense. Especially because the Sphere is having some trouble booking acts due to the steep cost to produce shows at the high-tech venue.
Going with a band close (enough) to Dolan, who is already known for trippy visuals makes a lot of sense!