U2 to open MSG Sphere in fall ‘23; hints to ‘Achtung Baby’ revival

The MSG Sphere might turn into Zoo Station next fall.

Bono of U2 is hinting at a revival of its seventh studio album, “Achtung Baby,” in 2023. “Zoo Station” kicks off that release. We’ve previously reported U2 is committed to a dozen dates at The MSG Sphere, beginning in the early fall of 2023.

That timeline obviously means the venue itself will be open in the fall of next year. Officials have said only that the Sphere would be open in the second half of ’23. The U2 residency tightens the horizon. By our calendars, fall begins Sept. 23, so look for weekend dates after that for the U2 series.

Those dates are to be spread over multiple months, and on non-consecutive weekends, according to original reports in July.

Exclusivity will increase demand for should already be a torrid ticket. U2 is not planning to tour as it preps for Vegas. Bono confirmed as much in a story published over the weekend in The Irish Times.

Also, the anniversary of “Achtung Baby” was last year. A celebration of that album seems to be in the offing for the Vegas shows.

As the 62-year-old rock legend said, “We are planning something special for ‘Achtung Baby,’ not a tour but something extraordinary. It is important to do retrospectives for any artist, but not too many. I have just spent a few years in the past and I am very keen to get to the future.”

In Las Vegas, the future reaches to the past. U2 played Sam Boyd Stadium (then Sam Boyd Silver Bowl) on its “Zoo TV” tour, supporting “Achtung Baby,” in November 1992, some 30 years ago.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.