U2 wrapped up their historic residency at Las Vegas’ remarkable Sphere venue with a moving and memorable finale, concluding a 40-show run that began in September. The residency, held at The Venetian Resort, celebrated the band’s acclaimed album “Achtung Baby,” with U2 playing the record in its entirety alongside selected tracks from their extensive catalog.
During the final performances, the band paid homage to the pivotal role of Achtung Baby producer Daniel Lanois, inviting him onstage to join them for a rendition of the iconic song “One.” Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Bram van den Berg (substituting for Larry Mullen Jr. who was recovering from health issues) expressed deep gratitude to Lanois, acknowledging his significant contribution to the album’s success.
While acknowledging Mullen’s absence due to health reasons, Bono took a moment during Friday night’s performance to honor the drummer’s indispensable role in the band’s journey. The audience, filled with nearly 20,000 fans, erupted in cheers and chants of “Larry!” as cameras captured Mullen’s presence in a VIP box.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance for the final weekend were fellow musicians Lenny Kravitz, Dave Grohl, and Brett Ratner, adding to the star-studded atmosphere of the event. Bono also took the opportunity to extend birthday wishes to Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Mick Jagger’s daughter, Elizabeth Jagger, who were celebrating their birthdays on March 2.
However, the most touching moment of the evening came when Bono dedicated the song “All I Want Is You” to the influential women in their lives, including their partners, mothers, and daughters, as well as women facing adversity around the world. In a poignant gesture, Bono dedicated the song specifically to First Lady Jill Biden, recognizing her impactful role as a teacher and leader.
The dedication encapsulated the spirit of gratitude and appreciation that permeated U2’s final performances at the Sphere, underscoring the band’s commitment to celebrating the power of music and the resilience of the human spirit.
