Phish kicked off their four-night residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas with a revolutionary four-hour show featuring cutting-edge technology. The band, along with their creative team, worked to leverage the advanced capabilities of the $2.3 billion arena to create a unique experience unlike anything fans have seen before. The goal was to deliver a show that was tailored specifically for Phish and could not be replicated for any other artist.
One of the key elements of the show was the use of a massive 16K-by-16K LED screen, which displayed custom visuals created for the band’s performance. Instead of relying solely on traditional lighting effects, Phish incorporated three-dimensional visuals, live video feeds, and Easter eggs from their history to enhance the overall experience. The visual show was controlled in real-time by Abigail Rosen Holmes, who worked with Montreal-based entertainment studio Moment Factory to synchronize the visuals with the band’s performance.
In addition to the innovative visuals, the show also featured state-of-the-art sound technology. The venue boasts 1,600 permanent speakers and 300 mobile speaker modules that utilize 3D audio beamforming and wave field synthesis to create a dynamic sound experience. This technology allows for individual instruments to be heard from different parts of the arena, providing a truly immersive audio experience for fans.
The decision to only do four shows at The Sphere was a conscious choice by Phish to create four unique visual and musical experiences that aligned with their tradition of never repeating the same show twice. Despite the potential for more shows, the band wanted to focus on delivering a high-quality experience for both themselves and their audience. The limited run of shows sold out quickly, highlighting the band’s dedication to creating memorable and engaging performances.
With 17,500 seats and 2,500 standing spots, every audience member at The Sphere was treated to a full sensory experience. The haptic technology in the seats allowed fans to feel the vibrations of the bass line and drum kicks, adding another layer of immersion to the show. Additionally, the band utilized the LED pucks in the exosphere, creating a visually stunning display that has become a landmark in Las Vegas.
Phish’s residency at The Sphere marks a new chapter in the band’s live performances, showcasing their ability to innovate and push the boundaries of live entertainment. By combining cutting-edge technology with their signature musical style, Phish has created a truly unique experience that will be remembered by fans for years to come. As they continue to evolve and experiment with new ideas, Phish remains at the forefront of live music innovation, setting the bar high for future performances in the industry.
