[Follow Rank: Overnight FreezePoints: 157.5]

Cluckin’ Chuck Visits the Sphere: Tips & Tricks for Your Vegas Adventure
Published: July 18, 2024

I recently had the pleasure of attending Dead & Company at the Sphere in Las Vegas on June 6, 2024, and I have returned with some tips, tricks, and thoughts on my experience. 

1. Ticket Availability

For shows running over a week, expect plenty of leftover tickets on CashorTrade or StubHub. The venue holds 20,000 people and likely won’t sell out for extended runs. If you know a band is about to take residency, there will be no need to rush to buy. (Unless its Phish…. in that case just put your credit card down and pray).       

Bobby Weir of Dead & Company at the Sphere. 6/6/24.

2. Restroom Situation

The restroom facilities are phenomenal. After the first set, there was a minor line, but it moved quickly. In the GA section, there were over 40 urinals and toilets. The double grab bars at the urinals are a nice touch for our ADA friends. My wife visited the women’s bathroom and never had a line. There was a restroom attendant present during the entire show, making sure each stall and sink counter were clean and dry.

Dead & Company at the Las Vegas Sphere, June 6th 2024.

3. Climate Control

The HVAC system is impressive. Despite being in the desert, the climate is very comfortable. Some songs incorporated nature elements that simulated a breeze, creating a comfortable climate throughout the event. Bravo!

4. Hydration Tip

Bring an empty bottle to fill up with water inside. The venue allows you to bring a bottle inside with you. This veteran move can save you $15, though the venue lacks bottle-filling stations, requiring you to use traditional water fountains.

5. Drink Service

Waiters and waitresses in GA bring drinks directly to you which is a nice touch. I didn’t use this service, but it could get tricky during sets when GA crowds become dense. The people next to me were getting Gin and Tonics brought to them every other song! Respect

Drink Options: There were probably over 50 bartenders at the GA floor bar, with no lines or issues getting a drink. The beers were $21 for a souvenir cup, which is of good quality and will be my new water cup. Great plastic! I didn’t try the mixed drinks.

6. Food Options

As a world-renowned wing connoisseur and critic, I must say the wings at the Sphere were very good.

If you’re jonesin’ for the wings like me at set break, I highly recommend their wings! During the set break, we were looking for some food and I found some wings and pizza on level 4! Well-cooked with great breading and no gristle. My only complaint was the generic Ken’s ranch dressing. Come on James Dolan, Do better. Wings grade A-. 

7. Seating and Views

The best seats seem to be in the 200 and 300 section. The only seats that seemed to be bad were in the 100 section if you’re underneath the deck. This had obstructed views. Overall, any seat offers a unique experience. GA rocked with plenty of space to groove. We were about 15 yards away from the stage which was awesome! We could appreciate the band playing up close and personal while still getting the sphere graphics. However, our necks started to hurt towards the end of the show from looking up and behind us.         

8. Security

Security was proficient and professional. They were quick to shut down anyone sparking up a joint, with employees actively monitoring and telling people to knock it off. They had state-of-the-art metal detectors that didn’t require removing phones or keys.  

9. Sound and Visuals

Dead & Company at the Sphere, June 6th 2024.

The sound was great on the floor. The visuals were par-none. Some of the visuals were intense and could make you feel like the entire building was in motion (warning if you are susceptible to vertigo). Some songs kept it simple and portrayed just the band on the screens.

When you first walk in, it looks like a warehouse which heightened the anticipation. We got a “Minglewood Blues” opener and the visuals were simple, introducing each band member with their live image superimposed on the warehouse background. Next, the band dove into “Playing in the Band” and the visuals looked as if we got put on a Google Earth street view of San Francisco Haight-Ashbury district, right in front of the original band’s shack. We slowly took off into outer space from there, and the voyage began! 

We got a “China Cat Sunflower” and we were transported to the pyramids which was incredible. Every song was different. “Peggy-O” was in the dessert, “US Blues” had the dancing skeleton, and my sleeper best song… “Drums/Space”!!! Mickey Hart was jamming the drums in a black hole!!!! Don’t take a piss break for “Drums/Space.”

For our second to last song, the band played an incredible version of “Morning Dew” and we were back in outer space slowly descending back into San Fran. Awesome. The band laid it all on the table for their encore cover of “Johnny Be Good”.

 10. Getting to the Venue

Go to the Venetian and follow the signs.