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Las Vegas has been having a tough time lately.
Visitor numbers are down steeply, more than 7% for the first half of 2025, according to a recent Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority report.
Fewer passengers are flying in or out of Harry Reid International Airport, also according to the LVCVA. In addition, a UNLV Center for Business and Economic Research report indicates that gaming revenue is down 5.8%.
The Strip has unveiled some exciting new projects recently, like Blvd., the new multi-level shopping and dining attraction, and celebrity chefs are still flocking to the city, making it a mecca for foodies. Still, business closures have been mounting.
One bright spot: music residencies.
Residencies have become the heartbeat of Las Vegas’s live entertainment scene, helping transform the city’s reputation from a gambling oasis to an international music destination.
Las Vegas residencies now attract musical acts at the peaks of their careers
Legendary acts such as Carlos Santana, Barry Manilow, and Donny Osmond have headlined residencies on the Strip for years, drawing dedicated fans and repeatedly extending their runs due to demand.
The residency tradition dates back decades, starting with Wayne Newton’s 1963 debut, but it has evolved over the years, attracting modern-day icons including Adele, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, and Bruno Mars, who sometimes choose residencies over global tours.
Related: Las Vegas Strip casino closes huge singer’s popular residency
Venues now compete fiercely for chart-topping artists, and custom-built stadiums such as Sphere Las Vegas are redefining the residency model with immersive technology and record-setting crowds.
With the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas drawing sell-out crowds for decades, The Sphere is betting fans of electronic dance music, aka EDM, will line up to see one of the genre’s most popular artists as well.
Sphere Las Vegas: setting new records
Sphere’s cutting-edge visual experience and 18,600-seat grandeur have allowed artists to set new milestones in both creative presentation and financial returns.
High-profile runs by U2, Dead & Company, and the Eagles are recent examples, with ticket sales and total revenues reaching historic levels for concert residencies.
Superstars now regularly sign multi-year or expanded engagements, reflecting the city’s rise as the world’s stage for music’s boldest live performances.
Landmark Sphere residencies: by the numbers
- U2
- 40 shows (September 2023-March 2024)
- Gross revenue: $244.5-$256 million
- Tickets sold: 661,456-663,000, according to UltimateClassicRock
- Dead & Company
- 30 shows (2024)
- Gross revenue: $130-$131.4 million
- Tickets sold: over 476,000, according to Jambase
- The Eagles
- 28 shows (2024-2025)
- $135.5 million, according to Billboard Boxscore
EDM artist Illenium announces spring 2026 Sphere residency
Continuing the trend, electronic artist Illenium will headline a six-show residency at Sphere in March 2026, timed for spring break, and with three more shows to be added if demand matches recent artist benchmarks.
As Billboard noted, “Few electronic artists can play arenas and stadiums,” and Illenium is one of them.
Illenium’s path to Sphere includes major headline appearances at venues nationwide. He was the first act to perform at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, revived annual epic runs at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, and packed Madison Square Garden in New York with sold-out crowds.
Related: Las Vegas Strip Sphere signs popular rock band to huge residency
His fiery performances featuring dramatic special effects and fireworks have solidified his reputation for trailblazing live production, making him a perfect candidate for a Sphere residency.
Illenium shows typically have names like “Trilogy” and “Awake;” the new show is dubbed “Odyssey.”
“Odyssey is a journey of self discovery and acceptance,” said Illenium, also known as Nick Miller. “It’s a moment where fans feel understood, a space where we’re all together and present for that same emotional escape. I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone to this experience, especially at Sphere.”
Illenium’s residence will follow the January extension of The Eagles and Backstreet Boys’ run in February.
“Everything we’ve done throughout Nick’s career has always come down to asking, ‘How do we push things forward?'” Illenium manager Sean Flynn once told Billboard.
“When booking a tour, we’ve always looked to the next highest capacity venue in the area and tried to secure that for the next tour. Or if that didn’t make sense, we’d try to do two nights at the same venue… We’ve always just tried to take whatever that next step was in major markets.”
Sphere residencies make Las Vegas top destination for music
Recent Sphere residencies have repeatedly expanded after initial ticket releases, with U2 and Dead & Company each extending their original runs due to public demand.
Illenium’s history of sold-out shows and enthusiastic fans gives this residency a strong likelihood for expansion beyond its initially announced dates.
Las Vegas’s continued ascent as a prime destination for music’s best live acts is now embodied in every Sphere residency, and Illenium’s arrival promises another leap forward in the city’s ongoing entertainment legacy.
Tickets for Illenium go on presale September 23 and to the general public on the Sphere website on September 26, 2025.
Related: Another classic off-the-Las Vegas Strip resort casino closes
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