The inaugural concert at Las Vegas’ Sphere, the latest state-of-the-art music venue in the city, received glowing reviews from concert-goers and online commentators following its official opening last week.
The new concert hall features a massive high-resolution screen that spans the entire length of the venue, offering an immersive experience unlike any other. Footage from the U2 concert that marked the Sphere’s grand opening went viral on social media, amassing millions of views and receiving widespread acclaim. [Watch a video about it at the top of this story.]
However, plans to open a second Sphere in London have faced opposition from local residents who are concerned about the proposed east London location and its potential impact on light pollution.
The Stop MSG Sphere campaign group expressed fear about the new venue, believing it will greatly detract from the surrounding area. The group’s spokeswoman, Lindesay Mace, told CBS that they are not necessarily against a new music venue in the area, but rather they find the design of the building offensive.
The group argues that the proposed site for the new Sphere in Stratford is in close proximity to residential properties, with some homes being only 250 feet away. Campaigners further criticize the developer’s offer of black-out window blinds for those living nearest to the venue.
MSG Entertainment states that the London Sphere would “transform an undeveloped site” into “a thriving destination that also serves as a long-term investment in the future of London,” while creating thousands of jobs.
If approved, the proposed Sphere in London would be almost as tall as the iconic Big Ben, measuring nearly 300 feet in height and approximately 400 feet in diameter. Like the interior, the exterior of the Sphere would be covered in a massive screen that can display various visuals and advertisements.
Nate Higgins, a Green Party councillor representing the local area, disputes the comparison between Stratford and Las Vegas. He claims that among those living near the proposed Sphere site, he has not found any supporters for the project.
Higgins believes that the project’s developers are not genuinely interested in building a new concert venue to support local artists; instead, they are focused on constructing a large advertising screen in a densely populated area.
In a meeting held for residents to voice their concerns about the proposals, one resident told the local newspaper Hackney Citizen: “This is not a normal building. It’s a giant glowing orb. … There’s one in Vegas, and I don’t think anyone here wants to live in Vegas.”
Before construction can begin, the project requires approval from London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the U.K. government’s Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove.
CBS News has reached out to MSG London for comment and will update this story with their response.
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