There’ve been some insane videos of the Las Vegas sphere doing the rounds after U2 hosted the first ever concert inside the structure last weekend, and it now turns out there are plans to build a similar sphere in London:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GgpRTP317sQ
In fact, the 300ft-high ‘Crystal Ball’ developed by MSG Sphere London was already approved by planning officials last year, with construction set to begin in Stratford, east London, once other necessary bodies give the green light.
Just one problem – local residents hate the idea and and even offers of free blackout blinds for every household to block out the light haven’t gone down well. Other concerns include the sphere casting shadows over homes, increasing pollution and causing significant light pollution at night.
Still, the development will probably go ahead as the venue, which will include restaurants and bars as well as host mega concerts and shows, is projected to boost London’s econony by £2.5 billion a year, and there’s no way they’re turning that down.
Then again, proposals for the £800 million 21,500 capacity arena are yet to be approved by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove.
Fighting the plans are the campaign group Stop MSG Sphere London and a spokesperson for the group Lindesay Mace told the Daily Telegraph:
‘The fact that where we are now, on the permission being granted, is a travesty of justice. The sphere is designed for Vegas, the city of lights. It is not designed for a small site that is surrounded with three blocks of residential properties. Developers are insulting residents by offering black out blinds… some of our group live directly opposite it. We are going to have massive glowing advertisements blaring [into our homes] from one of the biggest structures the UK and Europe has ever seen, it is just ridiculous.’
That does sound pretty mental tbh. James Dolan, a US media mogul, is behind the project in Las Vegas and Bono described him as ‘mad b******’ following U2’s concert the other night. Mr Dolan told Variety the project in London is still very much going ahead:
‘That is definitely a big part of the business plan, to build more Spheres all over the world. And by the way, different-size ones too – probably not much bigger than the one in Vegas, but we’ve actually gone through already architectural drawings and designs for smaller Spheres for smaller markets.’
Sounds like the London Sphere will become a reality in the near future, whether residents want it or not. Maybe they can bribe them with free U2 tickets? Or does that make it worse?
To watch Post Malone’s shockingly good NPR Tiny Desk set, click HERE.
