Afterlife Presents Anyma ‘The End of Genesys’ at The Sphere
Afterlife Presents Anyma ‘The End of Genesys’ at The Sphere
At this point, the odds that you haven’t heard about ANYMA at the Sphere are slim to none. Whether you know ANYMA and the legendary shows he’s put on worldwide or have seen their epic graphics light up the Sphere on social media. This was the must-see electronic show of the year and it did not disappoint.
Since opening its doors in Sept. 2023, the Sphere has hosted big music industry names such as U2, Phish, The Eagles, and Dead & Company. But the most anticipated show on their roster immediately became ANYMA. Afterlife Presents Anyma ‘The End of Genesys’ took residency at the Sphere for 7 nights. All of which were packed with new and exciting surprises. Each night was its own spectacle, from the openers – to the visuals – to the special guests (FKA Twigs, Ellie Goulding, and Grimes, to name a few), audiences were surrounded by visions and sounds curated specifically for them. This alone made this experience every bit worth the hype.
The Venue
Walking into the Sphere, it’s almost like you stepped into a futuristic sports arena. Merch tables were on every concourse, concessions lined the walls and there were lockers for a fee. There was even a hologram of one of ANYMA’s graphics on the second level! Refreshments were Vegas-level pricey, so be prepared to spend $7 for water.
Attendees have two choices when it comes to their concert-going experience. Each option comes with its pros and cons:
GA – Floor:
Pros:
- Traditional concert experience
- Everyone is dancing and vibing around you
- Close to the performers and visuals
- Concessions nearby
Cons:
- No coat check in the cold months
- Obstructed view of visuals above and to the sides
- Strained neck from looking up
- Everyone above can see you being a weirdo when the bright visuals come on
Seats – Various Levels:
Pros:
- Space for all your things
- Sit and enjoy the visuals whenever you want
- Haptic feedback in the seats
- A complete view of the entire visual experience
- People watch the weirdos in GA when the bright visuals come on
Cons:
- Awkwardness of some people sitting and other people dancing
- Obstructed view depending on how far back your seats are in the section
- Haptic feedback is a little too intense at times
- Not a lot of room to dance
When it comes down to it, there truly isn’t a bad seat in the house. Based on the experience you want to have, it may be worth spending a little extra based on your preference, but the great thing is the space is designed for anyone and everyone to enjoy.
The Show
As an avid concert-goer and lover of music, I can honestly say that what I’ve experienced is beyond anything I’ve seen before. ANYMA’s team has set the bar high for what a concert at the Sphere should be. They somehow managed to find a beautiful balance between the energy of a rave mixed with immersive cinematic visuals. I constantly found myself taking moments to admire the visuals and the story they were telling and then being sucked back into the music as ANYMA played unreleased remixes that I’m dying to hear again!
The stage was 3 towers: The left and right pillars were set up with robotic arms playing cellos and the center pillar was fixed with a special DJ controller for ANYMA to orchestrate his performance. Below these pillars was a larger platform where the openers and special guests performed. From the crowd, you looked up at ANYMA and his robotic cellists in awe of the breathtaking visuals that he’s become known for.
The show was broken into several acts, taking you on an exciting journey through beautiful and unknown worlds with a soundtrack of techno and progressive house, among other genre-bending interludes. I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed the music from beginning to end. I also want to give a special shout-out to Tiesto for dropping a mind-blowing remix of M83’s “My Tears Are Becoming The Sea” to end his opening set. Truly a perfect beginning to an epic concert!
All in all, I give ANYMA at The Sphere a 9/10. This has immediately leapfrogged to the top of my favorite concerts. I applaud the artistry that has gone into making this performance truly unique. I’m excited to see how audio and visual artists will utilize this space to construct experiences unlike anything we’ve seen.
About the artists:
Visual collaborations include art direction by Alessio De Vecchi, executive production by Alexander Wessely, and additional production by animation studio Woodblock.
A genre leader heralded for his critically-acclaimed albums Genesys and Genesys II, as well as his high-caliber live shows, Anyma is the multidisciplinary music and contemporary art project helmed by Matteo Milleri, operating at the compelling intersection between art, technology, and music. Afterlife has evolved from an event series and record label to become a multidimensional platform for groundbreaking artists and visually sensational installations.
For more information on Anyma, follow:
Website | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | X
For more information on Afterlife, follow: