close
close

Latest Post

Adam Brody puts his Gilmore Girls title of best movie boyfriend to the test The Northern Lights could be seen in the Chicago area this week – NBC Chicago

play

LAS VEGAS – “Welcome…to whatever that is!”

That's how Don Henley announced a few songs in the Eagles' opening production at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Friday.

The previous “Whatever This Is” included a video tour of the Hotel California, a both beautiful and eerie place with a Greek choir in the background, and “One of These Nights”, which gave the fans who packed the venue Enabled close-ups of the familiar faces on stage.

The frontline consists of Henley (who alternated between strapping on a guitar and sitting behind his drum kit), Timothy B. Schmit, Deacon Frey (son of late Eagles co-founder Glenn), Vince Gill, Joe Walsh and live stalwart Steuart Smith, projected flawless harmonies, whether the highs of “One of These Nights” or the laid-back summer air that drives “Lyin' Eyes.”

As the fourth veteran band to conquer the Sphere – joining U2, who opened the venue a year ago this month, as well as Phish and Dead & Company – the Eagles both had standards to match but had nothing to prove.

The group has been traveling the country since last September on “The Long Goodbye” tour – this Sphere residency plays select weekends through January 25 – packing arenas and compiling a hit list of some of the most enduring anthems in rock history .

Her Sphere show, which lasts almost exactly two hours, relies primarily on the most popular pieces in her repertoire. But as with any act that has taken advantage of the swank venue's stunning visual possibilities, the visual offerings are just as important as the music, and the Eagles gave fans a peaceful, relaxing ride.

More: Sting talks about upcoming tour, friendship with Billy Joel and his love for Austin Butler in “Dune.”

Eagles offer a harmony masterclass

A galaxy of planets orbited the ceiling during “Take It to the Limit,” while Gill and his silky vocals were heard in a floating bubble, while a forest of moss-covered trees enveloped the seats, allowing for an ethereal reading of “Witchy Woman.” .

Walsh – also known as the “Master of the Stratocaster,” as Schmit calls him – has always been the band's most dedicated representative. His rubbery faces and nimble guitar playing are endearing and impressive.

He expertly blended the jagged riffs of “In the City” with a captivating black-and-white video of apartment buildings gradually extending to the ceiling, creating the feeling of movement. All of the bands that have played The Sphere have used this technique in some form, but the video production always feels deeply specific to the song and the moment.

At times the band went for simplicity, such as the stark black-and-white images of the lineup playing acoustic guitars (bass for Schmit) during the harmony masterclass “Seven Bridges Road.” Other times, they took advantage of the seemingly limitless creative possibilities the venue offered, such as the moving photos during “New Kid in Town,” which were as impressive as they were all-encompassing.

Polaroids of the band from a bygone era complemented the dirty opening riff of Walsh's “Life's Been Good,” with the song's keyboard break paired with kaleidoscopic images of the Eagles. Walsh's lengthy guitar solo was just one example of The Sphere's outstanding sound, his tones rich and clear.

More: Ringo Starr leads a submarine full of sing-alongs with his All Starr Band: Review

The Eagles honor JD Souther and Jimmy Buffett at Sphere

As expected, Henley, dressed in his traditional stage regalia, a professor's vest, took a moment to honor JD Souther, the songwriter known for numerous Eagles hits who died earlier this week, and his longtime pal Jimmy Buffett, who died shortly before the band's tour started in September 2023.

The short eulogies were a fitting introduction to “The Boys of Summer,” Henley’s 1984 solo hit that hasn’t lost a bit of its wistful beauty. The accompanying underwater scene served as a calming antidote to the urgency of the music, setting up for a finale that included a breezy “Life in the Fast Lane” (get ready for a ride down the Las Vegas Strip). an expectedly languid “Take it Easy” and Henley’s spotlight ballad “Desperado.”

Given the Eagles' longevity – 52 years, as Henley recalled during the show – and the undeniable success of their farewell tour so far, the band didn't need to invest the money, effort and intelligence required for a Sphere production.

What they have created not only strengthens their legacy, but also offers followers a truly special experience as their touring career draws to a close.

On By John Fenwick

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Post