Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich was left awestruck and inspired after witnessing the revolutionary residency of U2 at Las Vegas's cutting-edge Sphere venue. As he joined The Edge on SiriusXM's 'Close To The Edge' show, Ulrich revealed that the experience had him reconsidering what live stage productions could achieve. This seismic shift in his perspective comes as Metallica prepares to embark on their own highly anticipated residency at the state-of-the-art venue later this year.
Ulrich was deeply affected by U2's inaugural performance, describing it as 'another frontier' in live entertainment – a nod to the Irish band's trailblazing role at the venue. The sheer scale of the visual and auditory spectacle left him feeling both invigorated and intimidated by the possibilities. As his own band readies for their stint at the Sphere, originally an eight-date run but now expanded to 24 nights due to overwhelming fan demand, Ulrich admitted that the prospect of performing in such a high-tech environment is 'challenging'.
The venue's wraparound 16K screens and cutting-edge sound system offer an immersive experience unlike any other – one that Metallica will be following in the footsteps of major rock acts like Phish, Dead & Company, and the Eagles. Ulrich acknowledged that his band often prefers to perform in environments they 'completely control,' making this venture a deliberate step outside their comfort zone.
The decision to embrace the Sphere's advanced technology is a testament to Metallica's willingness to push boundaries and innovate. Earlier discussions among the band had already envisioned the venue's potential for heightened production levels, possibly incorporating AI for a 'crazy experience.' As guitarist Kirk Hammett noted last spring, the Sphere is a 'great example of how venues are changing,' while bassist Robert Trujillo believes that it holds 'endless possibilities' – particularly for heavy rock bands like his own.
Just as Metallica was about to take their talents to Las Vegas, they concluded an unforgettable UK and Ireland leg of their mammoth 'M72' world tour. This epic run celebrated their latest album, '72 Seasons,' released in 2023, with performances that continued to innovate – from covers of The Pogues and ABBA to a contentious rendition of Tom Jones’ 'Delilah' in Cardiff.