Mike McCready believes Pearl Jam are too “cheap” for the Sphere
Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready has dampened speculation that the band might play a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. He is open to the idea, but doubts his bandmates would agree, citing the group’s reluctance to spend heavily on a venture that would require selling out multiple shows to break even.
McCready made the comments on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen and said he prefers spending two days in Las Vegas. Guitarist Stone Gossard had also opposed a Sphere appearance in 2024. The article notes that Metallica have a 24-show run scheduled through March 2027, while John Mayer is due to play 21 shows after previously performing 48 with Dead and Company; Pearl Jam have recently returned to live performances with drummer Abe Laboriel Jr.
- McCready doubts Pearl Jam will commit to a costly Sphere residency.
- He says the band is “kind of cheap” and he prefers two days in Vegas.
- Stone Gossard previously voiced opposition to playing the venue.
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Pearl Jam are an American rock band formed in Seattle in the early 1990s. Mike McCready and Stone Gossard are guitarists in the group, which has built a long career around albums and live performances.
The Sphere is a large, high-tech concert venue in Las Vegas, designed for immersive sound and huge visual displays. Its long runs of shows can involve substantial costs, so artists generally need to draw large audiences across many performances.
Residencies have become a prominent way for established acts to perform in Las Vegas without touring from city to city. Whether Pearl Jam would consider one depends on the band’s appetite for the expense and commitment involved.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A Sphere residency could give Pearl Jam fans a distinctive live experience and allow the band to reach many people through a concentrated run of shows. The success of other artists’ extended runs suggests there may be an audience for the format, and the investment could be worthwhile if ticket sales cover the costs.
The case against
A residency would require substantial upfront spending and repeated sell-outs to break even, making it a risky commitment for a band that is cautious about such costs. Pearl Jam may reasonably prefer shorter visits that fit their touring style and give them more flexibility, especially when the financial return is uncertain.