The highly anticipated opening night of Inglewood's Intuit Dome was not without its hitches as fans eager to see pop superstar Bruno Mars perform were met with frustrating delays. The dome, whose construction tallied up to $2 billion, promised to streamline the entry process with high-tech solutions like a ticketless entry system. However, a technical glitch with the arena's facial recognition system left thousands of attendees stranded outside, leading to a concert delay of nearly two hours on Thursday night.
Attendees were required to download the Intuit Dome app and create an account with a "Game Face ID" for quick access or an "Identity Pass" for smartphone ticket scanning, details provided by CBS News. The debacle, described by one concertgoer as a "meltdown of technology," caused the app to freeze and led to poor reception, crowded conditions, and even cases of people fainting. The concert, scheduled to start at 8 p.m., was pushed back until just before 10 p.m.
The incident did not dampen the spirits of the crowd once inside with Mars delivering a scintillating performance, further elevated by a surprise appearance by Lady Gaga. According to a report by ABC7, the pair sang their new duet "Die With a Smile," marking a highlight moment for the opening night festivities, in addition to a ceremony earlier in the evening.
Despite the initial setback, Steve Ballmer, Los Angeles Clippers owner and one of the brains behind the dome, has been consistent in his messaging about Intuit Dome's future as a technological marvel. As reported by KTLA, the arena boasts features such as a two-sided "Halo Board" and enough T-shirt cannons to ensure every attendee has the chance to snag some swag.
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