Las Vegas Sphere: U2 creative chief on show, reaction and Sheffield life

The brains behind U2's current Las Vegas residency at the high-tech Sphere venue is a "lad from Sheffield".

Willie Williams, the band's creative director, has spent the past 18 months conceptualising U2's Sin City extravaganza.

The 25-show run takes place in the world's largest spherical building.

Mr Williams, who originally hails from Ecclesall Road, told the BBC: "I've made many shows but this one has set the world on fire."

U2 are the first band to play at Sphere, a venue described as the "largest, fully-immersive music experience" in the world.

U2 debuted their show on 29 September, with Mr Williams saying they were "taken aback" at how much attention it has received.

The residency will run until Christmas.

Though he no longer lives in Sheffield, Mr Williams said he is "no stranger to S11" and returns to see his friends and family regularly.

"I went to Silverdale School and had a ordinary career path. But when the music kicked in, during the era of punk rock, there seemed to be a message in the air that anyone could do anything.

"I started by hanging around with and helping bands - and absurd as its seems, I made a go of it and a career.

"There was no magic, just the blessing of the time."

He attributes some of his success to growing up during Sheffield's "truly inspiring and interesting music scene".

"Bands like The Human League were so original, and that really seeped in," he told the BBC.

Mr Williams met members of U2 before they became global stars and said the Irish band are "like family now".

Asked what U2, and frontman Bono, are like to work with, Mr Williams, 64, described them as unique because they "never stop striving creatively, despite conquering the world".

The creative director has previously worked with stars including George Michael, David Bowie and The Rolling Stones.