Tool guitarist Adam Jones has confirmed that the band is in ongoing discussions to stage a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. During a new interview with Ronni Hunter of the “99.7 The Blitz” radio station, the musician revealed that the venue has been enthusiastic about hosting the progressive metal titans since it first opened its doors in late 2023.
According to Adam Jones, Tool was originally considered to be the first act to perform at the high-tech venue. “We were asked, and because of ‘Game Of Thrones‘ band politics, we just couldn’t make it work. And then they ended up using U2, which I think we probably would’ve gotten bumped anyway. But they have been really enthusiastic about us playing there, so we’ve been talking to them since it opened about doing some kind of residency there. And there’s just a lot of production details and budgeting and money and timing. So it’s complicated. But I think we will do it at some point,” Adam said (via Blabbermouth).
This confirmation follows earlier remarks from Tool drummer Danny Carey, who told “Spiral Out” that the band viewed the Sphere as a perfect fit for their highly visual and cinematic live performances. Danny suggested that the residency could potentially coincide with the release of the band’s next studio album. However, he also cautioned that the logistical and financial scale of such a project is massive.
“We’re hoping when we release the new record, maybe do a stint at the Sphere [in Las Vegas] ’cause I think we’re the perfect band for that. We’ve been talking to those guys,” he said at the time. While the prospect is thrilling, Carey was realistic about the massive financial and logistical hurdles involved in setting up a residency at the $2.3 billion venue. He noted that “the preparation” required to execute such a massive production “is pretty intense.”
“It’s a very expensive endeavor, and it takes a while to get into the black. I think [you have to play] a few shows before you make any money,” he added.
Though he hasn’t yet witnessed a full concert at the venue, a recent walkthrough left a lasting impression on the drummer.
“Yeah. Well, I just took a tour of it. I haven’t actually seen a full-on show, but they took [us around the venue] to show it off. It’s incredible, man. I almost got vertigo [just looking around it].”
The Las Vegas Sphere has a capacity of 17,600 and features a 16K resolution wraparound LED screen along with a HOLOPLOT sound system designed for extreme clarity. Since its debut, the venue has hosted several high-profile rock residencies. U2 launched the space with a 40-date run centered on their 1991 album Achtung Baby, performing for over 700,000 fans. Other legendary acts such as Phish, Dead & Company, and The Eagles have also utilized the venue’s immersive technology.
Currently, Metallica is preparing for a significant residency at the Sphere. In March, the band expanded their engagement to 24 dates, titled the “Life Burns Faster” shows, which are scheduled to begin in October 2026 and run into the following year. These performances will maintain the band’s current tradition of performing two-night sets without repeating a single song between the Thursday and Saturday concerts.
While Tool fans await a finalized schedule, the band’s interest in the venue signals a desire to push the boundaries of their live show to match the scale of the Sphere’s 160,000-square-foot display. For now, the project remains in the planning stages as the band balances production costs and the timing of their next recording cycle.
