At the Las Vegas Sphere, the Eagles’ songs are the special effect

LAS VEGAS —

As a seasoned movie buff with over three decades of attending concerts under my belt, I must say that the Eagles’ performance at Sphere was nothing short of extraordinary. The visual spectacle was breathtaking, and the music, as always, was masterful. The way they managed to blend the old with the new, creating a show that felt both nostalgic and fresh, was truly impressive.

On Saturday evening, rather than being humble about his own significance, Don Henley observed the scene and conceded that while the crowd had gathered for the legendary Eagles – the band behind countless hits, wealth creation, and inspiration for the fictional group in “Almost Famous” – they weren’t solely there for the Eagles as a whole.

He announced that our group would serve as the night’s featured musicians on stage, standing beneath the vast, lit dome of Sphere. “Think back to those classic black-and-white silent films, where an organist provided music for the movie? Well, we’re like that organist tonight.

Over the past weekend, the Eagles played two concerts at the state-of-the-art venue, making them the fourth act to perform there since its opening. The venue is located just behind the Venetian resort on the Las Vegas Strip. You’ve likely heard about the impressive 160,000-square-foot video screen, the seatback haptics, and the $2 billion spent by Madison Square Garden Entertainment Chief Executive James Dolan to construct it nearly a year ago.

As a fan, I can attest that even after 12 months of TikTok and Instagram snippets might have lessened the initial astonishment, Henley was spot-on in assuming that Sphere-goers are here to be amazed. On Saturday night, during the second of 20 Eagles concerts scheduled through January, people were already “ooh”-ing and “aah”-ing before the music even began! Upon entering, they were greeted by an enormous photorealistic mural filled with landmarks from the band’s hometown in Los Angeles. The Chateau Marmont, Griffith Observatory, Paramount Pictures gate, and of course, the Troubadour, where Henley and Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey met in Linda Ronstadt’s road band back in the early 1970s, were all included. Notably, a painstaking replica of the Troubadour inside the Venetian now serves as a merchandise store where you can buy Eagles hoodies and backpacks.

During their two-hour performance, the group offers an abundance of extra visual appeal, including a stunning scene synchronized with “In the City”. This scene transitions from a gritty tenement-like observation tower to a breathtaking panorama awash in vibrant shades of green and blue that border on vividness. Henley humorously advised the audience, mostly middle-aged individuals, to have Dramamine handy, eliciting hearty laughter. Later, he quipped that perhaps they could replace the floor seats with recliners for their next show.

Although the visual spectacle in the Eagles’ Sphere production might not be as intricate as previous ones, it still offers a unique ambiance rather than a narrative. Several songs like “One of These Nights,” “Witchy Woman,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Tequila Sunrise,” and “Seven Bridges Road” were accompanied by images such as windswept deserts, mossy forests, or starry night skies. The presentation felt more like watching a band play in front of the world’s most detailed screensaver at times. At other moments, particularly during the underwater ballet synchronized with Henley’s “The Boys of Summer,” it seemed as if the Eagles had used footage from an undiscovered ’80s perfume advertisement.

For Sphere, the Eagles‘ understated performance underscores its ability to accommodate artists who prefer not to invest heavily in redesigning the live concert experience, unlike U2 and Dead & Co. The Eagles’ performance aligns with their established emphasis on the music above all else – a sentiment echoed by Henley when he warmly greeted the audience, expressing genuine enthusiasm over Sphere’s 164,000 speakers.

He noted that for 52 years, we’ve been playing these songs for you, and it seems the Eagles have evolved into more than just a band providing visual spectacle on Sphere’s screen. Instead, they’ve become the musical backdrop to their fans’ cherished memories, whose emotional impact surpasses anything that special effects could ever offer.

The Vegas residency is taking place during what’s being called a farewell tour that the Eagles started in late 2023 and have said they’ll continue as long as people keep coming. After Glenn Frey passed away in 2016, Don Henley, who is now 77 years old, is the only original member remaining. The band also includes bassist Timothy B. Schmit, guitarist Joe Walsh (both members since the mid-’70s), and fill-ins for Frey – country star Vince Gill and Frey’s son Deacon. Last week, J.D. Souther, who co-wrote many of the Eagles’ famous songs, died at 78; Randy Meisner, another founder known for his lead vocal in “Take It to the Limit,” passed away last year at 77.

On stage, Henley referred to Deacon Frey as “a key factor in preserving this legacy,” and there was no sign of nerves from the younger artist: Frey’s performance in “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and particularly “Take It Easy” was heartfelt and soul-stirring, although it may have been missing a touch of the grit that his father added to the Eagles’ distinctive country-rock style.

Each time I attended an Eagles concert, their performance was nothing short of remarkable. They were spot-on with their strumming and melodies, from the smooth tones of “New Kid in Town” to the tense yet relaxed vibe of “I Can’t Tell You Why.” Their rendition of “Hotel California,” which they always opened with, showcased their versatility and abundance of hits. It was a testament to their talent that even skeptics were left impressed.

On Saturday, during the finale of the show, Henley paused for a moment to honor Souther, whom he referred to as “an exceptional man – intelligent, humorous, and quick-witted.” He went on to describe him as someone who appreciated good food, strong martinis, laughter, and beautiful women. Souther collaborated on the subsequent song, Henley mentioned, which was also the Eagles’ final number. As the band kicked off “Heartache Tonight,” the stage transformed into a massive jukebox, drawing both the audience and the Eagles in, as if they were being pulled inside it.

Cool trick. Apt one too.

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2024-09-23 21:31