Phish, Moment Factory and Sphere Studios have unveiled a series of real-time innovations during the first phase of the band’s highly anticipated return to Sphere. Over nine nights, Sphere becomes a living testament to Phish and its fans, with real-time visuals reflecting the group’s improvisational style.
Leveraging the screen’s 16K resolution, Moment Factory developed distinct visual concepts, made possible by Sphere Studios’ technologies, blending a wide range of artistic styles to transform the space: from iridescent spiderwebs and bubblegum worlds to a hot-dog-shaped spaceship odyssey, all adapted in real time to the band’s evolving setlist.
To anchor the residency in the band’s authentic roots, Sphere Studios captured elements of Phish’s history using its innovative Big Sky camera system, designed to create content for the venue’s immersive media plane of approximately 14,865 m². In September, production teams from Moment Factory and Sphere Studios traveled to Burlington, Vermont, for four nights at the band’s studio, The Barn. Capturing both the interior and exterior in high resolution, the footage transports attendees into the band’s creative sanctuary.
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For more than 40 years, the immersive energy of Phish’s lighting show has been considered a core component of its live experience. This year’s production introduces a virtual lighting system—a real-time engine that replicates the dynamics of a physical show directly on Sphere’s immersive media plane. Leveraging Sphere’s technology, Moment Factory, in collaboration with Sphere Studios and creative agency Myreze, designed this system to preserve and amplify this familiar fan experience. This agile infrastructure overcomes native engine limitations, allowing the band’s longtime lighting designer, Chris Kuroda, to control more than 7,000 virtual DMX lights with the same organic, improvisational fluidity as his physical rig.
Returning to Sphere felt very natural to keep building alongside Moment Factory. They’ve been a key creative partner since Phish’s Magnaball festival, always approaching projects with a restless imagination and breaking new ground. Ten projects in, Moment Factory is still helping the band grow in ways that feel authentic, says Jason Colton, co-manager of Phish.
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“It’s a true privilege to be back at Sphere with Phish. Our creative collaboration, spanning more than a decade, inspires us to see further and dream bigger”, says Daniel Jean, Producer at Moment Factory. “While many believed a virtual lighting system at this scale was not possible, we brought it to life alongside the Sphere Studios team on one of the largest LED screens on the planet. Seeing the excitement in fans’ eyes during the first weekend confirmed we had created something unique that honors the band’s legacy”.
Phish has always embraced improvisation, allowing Sphere Studios to respond with the same creative agility. Seeing Phish and Moment Factory bring their vision to life through Sphere’s advanced technologies is an exciting moment for the future of immersive entertainment, said Carolyn Blackwood, Head of Sphere Studios.
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This new collaboration between Phish and global entertainment studio Moment Factory, responsible for creative and show direction, has been driven by the band’s boundless vision, resulting in another world-first in the live entertainment industry.
The custom-built capabilities developed by Sphere Studios to realize this vision continue to push creative boundaries, advancing technologies that enhance the experience and deepen audience connection.
