Metallica Launch Las Vegas Sphere Residency With Rare Song Debuts
Metallica have officially launched their massive 24-date Life Burns Faster residency at the revolutionary Sphere in Las Vegas. The opening night on October 1 followed initial plans announced in February for an eight-date run before audience demand prompted the band to expand the schedule to 24 nights at the 20,000-capacity venue.
Drummer Lars Ulrich admitted in July that stepping into the futuristic venue presented a daunting prospect. Calling the engagement overwhelming, intimidating, and challenging, Ulrich expressed hope that the band would have everything locked down by opening night. That preparation paid off as the band delivered a retina-searing visual and sonic performance.
Opening Night Setlist and Rare Dust-Offs
The 16-song opening set leaned heavily on staples, kicking off with Battery. The band followed immediately with Creeping Death, alongside live mainstays like Sad But True, Wherever I May Roam, Nothing Else Matters, and The Call Of Ktulu—the latter dedicated to late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton.
While the set featured few overall surprises, the band treated fans to a notable deep cut by dusting off the title track of 1988’s …And Justice For All for the first time since 2014. The performance also integrated 21st-century anthems such as Now That We’re Dead, The Day That Never Comes, and Lux Æterna, before rounding out the night with a heavy run of classics.
- Battery
- Creeping Death
- Now That We’re Dead
- Sad but True
- The Shortest Straw
- Wherever I May Roam
- The Day That Never Comes
- …And Justice for All
- Kirk and Rob Doodle (Sleepwalk My Life Away)
- Nothing Else Matters
- The Call of Ktulu
- Lux Æterna
- Ride the Lightning
- The Memory Remains
- Seek & Destroy
- Master of Puppets
Expanded Las Vegas Residency and Tour Schedule
The residency run at the Sphere extends deep into 2027, running across multiple legs through March. In addition to their Las Vegas dates, Metallica recently added 12 new North American stops to their ongoing M72 tour, which originally kicked off in March 2023 and includes upcoming stadium dates in Vancouver, San Diego, El Paso, San Antonio, and beyond.
Related reading: Tony Iommi Admits Upcoming Black Sabbath Concert Film Is ‘Difficult to Watch’, John Mayer Announces 2027 Las Vegas Sphere Residency Featuring Three Distinct Sets, Metallica Launch Las Vegas Blood Drive With Red Cross
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