The Eagles are the fourth rock band to grace The Sphere stage since its inception, and it was a fantastic opening night, according to fans and The Eagles' band members themselves. It no doubt helped that The Sphere showcased amazing audiovisuals, and Don Henley, the band's frontrunner, jokingly commented that they were upstaged by The Sphere.

As the Eagles kicked off their residency at the Las Vegas Sphere on Friday, September 20, Don Henley joked, "Welcome to... whatever this is." The iconic rock band became the fourth group to headline at the cutting-edge venue, co-starring alongside the immersive visuals of the Sphere itself.

The opening night showcased not only the timeless music of the Eagles - but also the Sphere's jaw-dropping digital displays. Henley, along with Timothy B. Schmit, Vince Gill, and Deacon Frey, performed a range of their biggest hits, including the encore-closing Heartache Tonight, while the Sphere's technological wizardry took their show to the next level.

A fusion of music and visual mastery

The Eagles' residency at the Las Vegas Sphere represents a new chapter in rock concert history, where music and technology connect and intersect on an unprecedented scale. The opening night's performance featured an array of captivating visuals that, at times, even outshined the legendary band itself.

"How many of you have been here before?" Henley asked the crowd, with a third of the audience raising their hands. "The rest of you, I hope you brought some Dramamine, because it's gonna get crazy." Henley's words rang true as the Sphere's 360-degree screen transported the audience from a lightning-quick journey along the Las Vegas Strip during Life in the Fast Lane to soaring through the sky above a tenement during Joe Walsh's In the City.

During Seven Bridges Road, the Sphere took it up a notch, projecting live footage of all six singers across a starry night sky, adding an ethereal quality to the band's harmonies. The combination of live performance and digital landscapes redefined what it means to attend a rock concert in the 21st century.

Henley himself acknowledged the competition between the visuals and the band, quipping, "So this is the Sphere, some 21st-century iteration of an entertainment venue. We're just the house band."

The perfect soundtrack for the Sphere

Despite the visual spectacle, the Eagles' sound remained flawless. While Henley joked that the Sphere's tens of thousands of speakers would amplify every mistake, none were noticeable as the band wove through a 19-song setlist that spanned decades of hits. The Eagles' signature songs were executed to perfection, resonating across generations of fans in the audience.

Deacon Frey and country star Vince Gill stepped in to fill the void left by Glenn Frey, the band's co-founder who passed away in 2016. Their combined presence brought both familiarity and freshness to the performance, ensuring that Glenn's legacy remained a central part of the show. During the encore, Henley paid tribute to another key figure in the band's history, J.D. Souther, who passed away recently.

"J.D., as some of you may know, played a pivotal role in the Eagles," said Henley during the encore. "He wasn't in the band, but he certainly co-wrote some of our biggest hits, including 'The Best of My Love,' 'New Kid in Town,' and this next song, 'Heartache Tonight.'"

A surprising opening with Hotel California

Perhaps the most unexpected moment of the night came when the Eagles opened the show with Hotel California, their most iconic song. The band debuted a new video for the track, featuring animations that captured the complex emotions of abandonment, imprisonment, and hedonism portrayed in the lyrics.

By starting the concert with their biggest hit, the Eagles set the tone for a night that was as bold as it was unconventional. The decision to frontload Hotel California freed both the band and the audience from waiting in anticipation, allowing the night to flow more naturally. Fans were also more relaxed, with no fear of missing out on the biggest number if they needed a break during the show.

The Eagles' timeless appeal

Even as the Sphere's visuals dazzled, the music of the Eagles remained at the heart of the experience. Their setlist spanned the hits that have defined their career, from One of These Nights and Tequila Sunrise to Take It Easy and Desperado. The Sphere added a new dimension to these classic songs, giving fans a fresh way to experience the music they know and love.

For fans in the audience, this residency is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Eagles' timeless music amplified by cutting-edge technology. Though Henley might joke about being upstaged, the Sphere and the Eagles are perfect partners, combining the best of rock history with the future of live entertainment.