U2 Closes Las Vegas Sphere Residency With A Host Of Famous Friends

U2 has officially finished their residency in Las Vegas–the first of its kind. The band introduced the world to the city’s new high-tech venue, The Sphere, which has hosted the rockers for months now. At the final show in their successful run, the Irish outfit played to a sold-out crowd of superfans, mixing things up and welcoming a number of celebrities who were in the audience.

Perhaps most exciting for the general crowd was the fact that the First Lady, Jill Biden, was at the concert. Her husband was in Las Vegas for a work event, and she apparently took in U2’s residency. Frontman Bono let the audience know who was sitting amongst them when he dedicated the song “All I Want Is You” to “to all the great women in our lives–our partners, our mothers, our daughters, all the women on the U2 crew,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. He also made sure to mention “all the great women in our audience that we feel we know,” and even, in typical form, became slightly political–though vaguely—by adding, “and all the great women in parts of the world going through very difficult circumstances that we could never know.”

He then quickly pointed out “one woman in particular who is with us tonight.” He referred to her first as “a teacher,” before finally giving away the exciting news: “She’s your First Lady, so this is for Jill Biden.”

The First Lady of the United States was not the only well-known figure who was in attendance at Saturday night’s (March 2) last performance of the U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere residency. The band also welcomed their sometimes-producer, Daniel Lanois, who has worked with them on some of their most iconic releases, including the one the run of shows is named for.

“There would be no Achtung Baby without Daniel Lanois,” Bono commented matter-of-factly, and he’s right. Lanois produced the classic album alongside Brian Eno, who is similarly revered in the rock world, especially for his work with U2. In addition to Achtung Baby, Lanois also helped produce fellow U2 favorites like The Joshua Tree, All That You Can't Leave Behind, and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, among others.

To U2 fans, the shoutout that meant the most was to Larry Mullen Jr., one of the members of the band. The drummer has not been a part of the residency, as he’s been recuperating from an unnamed surgery for months. The rocker was in attendance, and he received applause from the crowd on both evenings. Bono confirmed that he’s still on the mend when he shouted out the musician, saying, “We wish him a speedy, speedy, speedy recovery.” He also added, simply and sweetly, “We love you, Larry Mullen Jr.”

As if the First Lady, the producer behind Achtung Baby, and the mysteriously missing drummer from the band didn’t make the final show packed enough with stars, there were several others in the crowd that might be well-known. Coldplay singer Chris Martin received a nod from the band. Mick Jagger’s daughter, Elizabeth Jagger, also earned some love from U2 as well.

U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere is over, and now the venue moves on to the next phase of its time as a music venue. Next up for the space is Phish, who will open their short residency in April. Dead & Company takes over after that, and the jam band has dates starting in May and, for now, running into July.