VEGAS MUSIC ROUNDUP: Did Beyonce’s Super Bowl Ad Tease Sphere Residency?

Posted on: February 13, 2024, 12:41h. 

Last updated on: February 13, 2024, 12:55h.

Corey Levitan Read More
Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Expert Insight, Las Vegas, Restaurants, Las Vegas Myths.

Did Beyonce’s Super Bowl commercial for Verizon contain the world’s biggest Easter Egg for her fans?

Stills from Beyonce’s Super Bowl commercial for Verizon show the 42-year-old superstar on a metallic horse atop the Las Vegas Sphere. (Image: Verizon/CBS)

In the 90-second spot, Queen Bey concocts various viral strategies to “break” the carrier’s internet coverage. Co-starring “Vice’s” Tony Hale as her hapless assistant, she introduces an AI clone of herself, announces a presidential run, and attempts to become the first to perform a concert from space.

One of those strategies has her fans certain of a Sphere residency because it depicts their idol on a metallic silver horse atop the Sphere.

“I thought you meant in the Sphere!” Hale yells at Beyonce while climbing the exterior of the globular concert venue only four days after an anti-abortion activist did exactly that in real life, 

“No, on the Sphere!” she retorts.

The $50 million ad concluded by cryptically teasing the release of Beyonce’s next album, “Act II,” on March 29.

Just before Thanksgiving, we told you that Sphere owner James Dolan wanted a Queen Bey residency in the baddest of ways and that Beyonce’s husband, Jay Z, and her momager, Tina Knowles, had been seen touring the $2.3 billion venue. The stumbling block was that her team reportedly demanded $10 million to produce the required high-tech video. That’s the same size check Dolan cut U2.

It’s a good bet that both sides are either nearing an agreement or have already agreed on terms.

Beyonce is the highest-grossing Black artist ever, having earned $1.3 billion from the sales of 11.2 million tickets over her career.

Pearl Jam, seen above, hasn’t performed in Las Vegas since July 6, 2006. (Image: Variety)

Pearl Jam Makes it Official

Pearl Jam has confirmed what we told you last month: the band will make its first Las Vegas appearance in 18 years on May 16 and 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Fans must register to buy tickets here until Sunday, February 18, and registration doesn’t guarantee access to the sale. For information about the fan club presale, check out pearljam.com.

Vegas Ushering Him Back

Was the Super Bowl halftime show not enough Usher for you? The newly married R&B singer returns to Las Vegas on November 15, when his “Past Present Future” tour stops at T-Mobile Arena. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, February 16 via AXS.com, with presales on Wednesday and Thursday.