For those who dabble in psychedelics and consciousness-altering substances, there has been a slate of new boundary-pushing technological advances that are blurring the lines between experience and entertainment. These venues provide fertile ground for mind-expanding journeys, offering more opportunities than ever for psychedelic enthusiasts to have their minds blown as unique venues pop up nationwide – from the massive immersive screens of the Sphere in Las Vegas to Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, ARTECHOUSE in New York City and the art installations of artists like Refik Anadol and Jen Stark.
This intrepid explorer wrangled up a few heady friends this summer and ventured out to Las Vegas to see Dead & Company’s residency at the innovative new Sphere. This music hub boasts a state-of-the-art audio and visual system designed for immersive experiences. There seemed to be no better place to turn on your (my) lovelight with over 1.2 million exterior and 64,000 interior LEDs that are so bright you can see them from outer space.
As a Deadhead, this pilgrimage felt almost sacred, traversing into the mysterious desert to find a magical oasis so rare it could be mistaken for a mirage. As you approach this glowing beacon in the night, even among the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip, the Sphere’s massive LED exterior stands alone. In addition to Dead & Company-themed graphics, the venue utilized select artists’ work on the world’s largest, most technologically advanced canvas with eye-catching and, at times, psychedelic results.
The building’s interior design was equally impressive in its aesthetics and its functionality. It was clear that no expense was spared to create a one-of-a-kind consumer experience that perfectly balances simplicity and elegance. After breezing to our seats, it was only moments before Bob Weir, John Mayer and the rest of the band kicked things off while the massive screens seemed to open up and launch us into what would be an epic ride through the Grateful Dead universe.
As we blasted off from Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco and into the cosmos, it became a jaw-dropping and seat-clinging moment. I leaned back and made sure I was still holding onto the ground (and reality) as I feared the band might prank the audience by dropping us “Tower of Terror” style back down to Earth. However, my anxiety immediately reduced as the band jammed and we started floating through outer space. The stars began to dance and transform into a vortex tunnel of familiar Dead colors and symbols, as the overwhelming visual experience was clearly in the driver’s seat for this trip.
Innovations like “Sphere Immersive Sound,” a proprietary concert-grade system powered by German audio titan HOLOPLOT, the haptic response seats strategically used by the band at key moments, and custom venue-specific visuals all added to the show’s impact. Impressive graphics paired with familiar yet new psychedelic jams included 3D skeletons driving a motorcycle, a giant pirate ship, rainbows and color spirals of all shapes and sizes, famous Dead concert venues and classic iconography. Legendary drummer Mickey Hart’s “Drums and Space” was a particular highlight, taking advantage of the vibrating seats, which added a whole new dimension to the drum solo portion of the show. I was left with my face stolen and my jaw wide open as the band tore through some of their biggest hits with surprising intensity. While this early run clearly limited the band’s ability to completely improvise, it’s a great show that starts to unlock the full promise of where the Sphere can take things in the future.
