From nostalgic moments to trippy ones that melted minds, Insomniac and Tomorrowland’s UNITY at Sphere was an experience any raver could love.
When Insomniac and Tomorrowland announced that they would be joining forces to create an experience, the interest of dance music lovers worldwide was immediately piqued. The two behemoth brands have been at the top of their game over the past two decades, dominating the festival landscape on multiple continents and bringing larger-than-life moments to the masses along the way. Together, they revealed UNITY, a string of shows at the ever-futuristic Sphere venue in Las Vegas.
The hype surrounding UNITY at Sphere grew in recent months as more details were revealed. The first series of artist announcements drew plenty of excitement, and even more began to build as the weeks passed. Suddenly, it was almost Labor Day Weekend, and I found myself heading to Las Vegas to experience the event’s opening night, featuring none other than drum and bass legends Chase & Status.
You could feel the energy from the crowd as fans from all over the world made their way toward the venue – energy that only a festival like EDC has brought to Sin City in recent years. Attendees were decked out in their finest festival wear, some rocking Tomorrowland flags while countless others wore merch supporting the festivals they’ve attended from Insomniac. It was almost like walking into a soccer match, yet instead of there being competing sides, we were all there for the love of electronic music.
The lines for merchandise, food, and beverages were stacked with people as the minutes ticked away toward 11:15pm, the show’s start time. My friend and I grabbed drinks and made our way up to our seats—riding the escalators while basking in the cavernous venue’s space was a treat. We quickly settled in, falling in love with the living tree that pulsed with blue energy and hearing the Symphony of Unity beginning to warm up. Then, a voice boomed over the speakers, welcoming us all to the experience, and that’s when the real fun began.
I didn’t know what to expect with Insomniac and Tomorrowland joining forces, but I quickly realized it would be a delight.
Tomorrowland was first up, showcasing the shimmering depths of Planaxis. A soaring dragon flew above the ocean as the symphony played, before we were submerged underwater with schools of fish, sea turtles, and whales swimming around us, diving deeper as each second ticked away. We moved through the seascape as anthems like “We Are The People,” “Don’t You Worry Child,” and “High On Life” played. The volcano portion was also cool, providing some energy as “Kick Out The Epic Motherfucker” and “Blah Blah Blah” boomed from the Sphere’s speakers.
A butterfly floated across the screen, transitioning the show to Insomniac’s side and taking us to their signature Wonderland events, Nocturnal and Beyond.
Perhaps I’m just a sucker for the old-school rave aesthetic, or maybe it’s the decades I’ve spent immersed in Insomniac’s events, but the moment we crept closer to the warehouse doors and heard the bass booming from inside, my own energy levels peaked. Insomniac took us back to 1995, complete with an actual voicemail recording from Pasquale Rotella that harkened back to when you had to call to find out where raves were. Graffiti and a huge mural for Mama Irene were on the walls of nearby buildings, and yes, even Rotella himself was behind a hot dog cart as an added easter egg.
The soundtrack for this portion was absolutely bumping, featuring classic rave and house tracks, as well as other gems, as we delved deeper into the realm of Nocturnal Wonderland with a vibrant tunnel ride. The Nocturnal realm was filled with glowing animals, dancers, and an ambiance that captured the essence of the festival perfectly.
Soon enough, we were faced with a golden mirror that indicated Beyond Wonderland’s time to shine, complete with its own trippy visuals that ranged from colorful blasts of light to Alice falling down the Rabbit Hole to hot air balloons with different characters’ faces soaring among the clouds. It was pure madness, with a fitting tea party to bring that chapter to a close.
The rest of Tomorrowland’s side of the show was a fantastic ride.
Tomorrowland’s two other themes, Adscendo, and Orbyz, both featured larger-than-life immersive rides into their respective realms. The castle spires of Adscendo and the ice-filled elements of Orbyz were both fascinating to observe. The added bonus of the Avicii memorial was a true treat that definitely brought a tear to my eye.
If there was one complaint about Tomorrowland’s portions, it would be the lack of dynamic movement and unique details. It was great to float through these visually stunning environments, but it felt like I was on Disney’s Soarin’ Over California for most of the journey through their scenes.
On the flipside, Insomniac’s portions were eye-popping and filled with visual treats.
Perhaps I’m a bit biased because this festival has been one of my favorites over the years, but the best segment of UNITY was Escape. The Halloween festival’s portion featured a bass-laden soundtrack, and the entire Psycho Circus crew guided you through various tents, rides, and more. The trippy visuals, spooky atmosphere, emphasis on characters that appear at the festival, and more all contributed to the ambiance.
Countdown was also plenty of fun with the alien overlords invading Las Vegas. “Destroy Them With Lasers” was a perfect fit for the scene, and the crowd went wild when it played. It would’ve felt natural for the Electric Daisy Carnival portion of the show to be right after Countdown, or even before, but it seems as if that segment was cut during the initial run. My hope is to return for a later show in the series (Sara Landry, anyone?) and see it in its full glory.
I was so blown away by UNITY that I grabbed tickets for the second night before it even ended.
The pure nostalgia, the stunning visuals, and the crowd’s uplifting energy filled my cup. Midway through the show, I texted my friends who were also in Vegas and told them they needed to come with me the next night. Luckily, we all scored some, and they were just as impressed as I was during the second night’s festivities, which were capped off by Kaskade.
Speaking of Kaskade, seeing him and Chase & Status in the Sphere was also a treat. In contrast to the discourse that’s online regarding the lack of bespoke visuals for each headlining artist, I actually enjoyed both acts having the vibrant tree as their background. While I was staring at the screen for two hours during the main part of the show, the set was meant to be the party portion where all the dancing should’ve been done.
The floor was filled with people during both sets, and thousands more danced from their seats above. We didn’t need more visuals that would’ve taken away from the anthemic tracks that those two artists played. Chase & Status dropped some massive drum and bass tunes, while Kaskade serenaded the crowd with his signature progressive house grooves. Both were perfect choices to end the already fantastic nights.
UNITY at Sphere is a must-attend for any raver, old or new alike.
UNITY at Sphere wasn’t just a display of technological might; it was a true celebration of how far the electronic music scene has come with these two brands leading the charge. I was impressed after the two nights I spent there, and if you’re someone who has fallen in love with either of these festival brands over the years, I’m sure you’ll find yourself feeling the same. From the gorgeous visuals to the perfect soundtrack, this show is a can’t-miss experience that you simply need to see for yourself.
Don’t miss your chance to experience all that UNITY at Sphere has to offer. Limited tickets and hotel packages for the upcoming shows, including Sara Landry, who will be the first woman to headline the venue on October 17, are available. Visit the official website for more information and to make your purchase.
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