U2: Cashing In or Achtung Baby? How Much Did They Make at The Sphere?
U2 rocked the brand new Las Vegas venue, The Sphere, with their "U2:UV Achtung Baby Live" residency. But with a venue that cost more to build than your average moon colony, how much did the Irish rockers actually take home? Buckle up, music lovers, for a dive into the world of high-stakes Vegas residencies and Bono's bulging bank account (allegedly).
The Big Bucks Breakdown
Here's the TL;DR: U2 did alright for themselves. According to reports, they raked in a cool $170 million for their 40-show residency. That's a whole lotta Bono bucks! But wait, there's more! This figure breaks down into two parts:
- A Sweet Sign-On Bonus: The folks behind The Sphere reportedly greased the wheels with a $10 million upfront payment just to get U2 to grace their fancy new digs. Not bad for a weekend's work, eh Bono?
- Show Me the Money, Larry! On top of that princely sum, U2 reportedly commanded a whopping $4 million per show. That's enough to buy a decent spaceship (although The Edge might prefer a new pedalboard).
Did They Deserve It?
Well, that depends on who you ask. Some folks might say U2's a timeless classic, a legendary band deserving of every penny. Others might mutter something about "overhyped" and "that weird cyborg baby phase." Hey, that's the beauty of music, everyone has an opinion (except maybe for Bono, who seems pretty sure he's a rock god).
Fun Fact: U2 Almost Didn't Break the Bank
Believe it or not, there were some initial negotiations where U2 was going to take a percentage of ticket sales instead of a flat fee. Imagine a world where Bono had to sweat ticket sales? A terrifying alternate reality averted, thanks to their savvy management team!
## How To FAQs
How to attend a Las Vegas residency show? Patience, grasshopper! Residency shows are planned well in advance, so keep an eye out for announcements from the artist or venue.
How to get rich like U2? Step 1: Learn to play an instrument (preferably guitar). Step 2: Write a bunch of catchy tunes. Step 3: Hope for unimaginable success. There's no guaranteed path to U2-levels of wealth, but hey, it can't hurt to try!
How to avoid overpriced merch at a concert? Pack your own snacks and Bono-themed t-shirt. Your wallet will thank you.
How to impress your friends with U2 trivia? Now you can tell them all about U2's record-breaking Las Vegas payday!
How to make your own Sphere at home? This one's a bit trickier. Maybe string up some Christmas lights and crank the volume? It won't be quite the same, but hey, beggars can't be choosers (especially when it comes to Bono's net worth).