The live music sector has experienced rapid growth and change over the past several years, and perhaps nothing better encapsulates that evolution than MSG Entertainment’s Sphere in Las Vegas. Boasting a state-of-the-art wraparound 155-degree screen and stage housed in a LED-coated shell, the venue arrived right as post-pandemic live music attendees were craving immersive spectacle.
Now three years since its opening, the Sphere has consistently been the highest-grossing non-stadium venue in the world, according to Billboard. And by booking residency-length runs, the place has hosted a small but impressive list of artists.
Luminate data shows the musical acts that appear at the cutting-edge arena generate buzz and visibility that translates into long-term increases in music consumption — all without going out on tour or releasing a new album.
U2 serves as a perfect case study, having been the Sphere’s inaugural live music residency across 40 shows in 2023 and 2024. While the band slowed its live output in recent years, the glittery space proved a perfect solution to give fans high-caliber shows without subjecting artists to the wear and tear of the road (though it is worth noting that the group released the track “Atomic City” in September 2023 in celebration of their residency).
In the first week of U2’s Sphere run, the band’s U.S. On-Demand Audio streams jumped 46% YoY, to 11.9M. It also continued to see double-digit YoY growth in the subsequent weeks corresponding to their Vegas performances.
In general, playing the Sphere seems to benefit a specific type of artist: a legacy act with a deep catalog of hits and a reputation for spectacle. Artists including longtime jam bands Phish and Dead & Company, the recently reunited No Doubt and 1990s icons Backstreet Boys have enjoyed elevated streaming volumes from their Sphere stints.
The mere announcement of the Backstreet Boys’ booking, in fact, drove streaming volumes substantially — evidence that the intrigue around the arena alone can help generate buzz.
Despite its exclusivity, the “Sphere bump” also has the potential to elevate artists who are popular but not quite in the mainstream. Techno/House DJ Anyma, for instance, has a much smaller streaming footprint than other artists booked at the Sphere, yet given his reputation for grand production and singular visuals in his live sets, he proved to be a perfect fit.
As a result, Anyma managed to sell out every one of his Sphere shows, and footage of his performances gained traction on social media platforms, which propelled his streaming volumes accordingly.
Comparing the 12-week streaming average before his first Sphere performance to the 12-week average after (see below for the specific dates), Anyma saw streaming volumes jump by 154% — more than double — with those higher numbers sustaining themselves well into the latter half of 2025.
His Vegas run coincided with the release of the song “Hypnotized” (feat. Ellie Goulding) on January 9, 2025, which contributed to his spike in streams. But the fact that his back catalog also experienced significant growth during his Sphere residency suggests his shows indeed had a major impact.
But not all artists Luminate analyzed enjoyed streaming dividends from their performances; Kenny Chesney, the Zac Brown Band and the Eagles didn’t see meaningful boosts in consumption after their runs. While speculative, this trend may be due to the artists’ audiences being less “online,” making the proliferation of their performance across social media less impactful as well as there being generally less emphasis on high-tech visuals at country music shows.
This all suggests the Sphere is a force in its own right that can help reinvigorate older artists’ catalogs or serve as a launchpad for those on the cusp of the mainstream. And while just getting booked at the Sphere is no guarantee their streaming volumes will grow, artists can surely capitalize on the unique experience offered by the venue.
