“Welcome to … whatever this is,” Don Henley greeted the crowd on Friday as the Eagles became the fourth superstar rock band to headline a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere, co-starring with the venue itself.
On Sept. 20, Vince Gill, Timothy B. Schmit, Don Henley, and Deacon Frey brought the house down, closing their opening night at the Las Vegas Sphere with “Heartache Tonight.” Despite the 52-year-old band’s classic performance, it was the immersive visuals that truly stole the show.
“How many of you have been here before?” Henley queried the audience. As around a third responded affirmatively, Henley warned the rest, “I hope you brought some Dramamine, because it’s gonna get crazy.” His words rang true as the Sphere’s colossal wraparound screen delivered a visual spectacle. The audience experienced a lightning-fast journey down the Las Vegas Strip during “Life in the Fast Lane,” soared around a towering tenement during “In the City,” and marveled at live footage of the band members under a starry sky during “Seven Bridges Road.”
Henley humorously conceded being outshone by the Sphere’s technological prowess. “So this is the Sphere, some 21st century iteration of entertainment venue,” he remarked. “We’re just the house band.” Yet, for the Eagles, this was a blessing. Historically known for their minimalist stage presence, the augmented visuals provided a much-needed dynamic element to their performance.
Despite the visual dominance, the Eagles’ sound remained impeccable. Henley jested about the Sphere’s sophisticated sound system revealing “all our mistakes,” but none were detected. The band’s harmonies were executed flawlessly across 19 songs, resonating with fans of all ages.
Country singer Vince Gill and Deacon Frey filled the void left by Glenn Frey, who co-founded the band with Henley in 1971 and passed away in 2016, a gap too significant to be filled by just one person. As expected, Henley paid homage to J.D. Souther, who recently passed away. “J.D., as some of you may know, played a pivotal role in the Eagles,” Henley said during the encore. “He wasn’t in the band, but he certainly co-wrote some of our biggest hits, including ‘The Best of My Love,’ ‘New Kid in Town,’ and this next song, ‘Heartache Tonight.’”
In a surprising move, the band opened with “Hotel California,” complemented by an evocative animated video that encapsulated the song’s themes of hedonism, abandonment, and imprisonment. Starting with their biggest hit seemed unconventional, but it allowed the crowd to relax, knowing they wouldn’t miss out on the iconic track.
The night’s setlist was a journey through the Eagles’ rich catalog:
- Hotel California
- One of These Nights
- Lyin’ Eyes
- Take It to the Limit
- Witchy Woman
- Peaceful Easy Feeling
- Tequila Sunrise
- In the City
- I Can’t Tell You Why
- Seven Bridges Road
- Those Shoes
- Life’s Been Good
- Already Gone
- The Boys of Summer
- Life in the Fast Lane
For the encore, the band delivered:
- Take It Easy
- Rocky Mountain Way
- Desperado
- Heartache Tonight
The Eagles’ residency at the Las Vegas Sphere offered a perfect blend of musical excellence and cutting-edge visual effects, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all in attendance.
