Metallica are rumoured to be “ready to ink a deal” for a residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere in 2026.
Sin City publication Vital Vegas made the claim after lead guitarist Kirk Hammett revealed the heavy metal legends are eager to play the state-of-the-art venue on The Strip.
Although “specifics haven’t been confirmed or announced yet”, it’s been suggested they “could play Sphere in the fall of 2026”, after they wrap their M72 world tour.
The Enter Sandman rockers would love to stage a “crazy experience” at the futuristic venue – which is renowned for its immersive video and audio capabilities, including a giant wraparound LED screen – and embrace all it has to offer.
Asked about the possibility recently, Hammett told The Hollywood Reporter: “Oh, heck, yeah! That’s a great example of how venues are changing. That’s using modern technology to the fullest, to really up the levels of production and entertainment, connected to AI and making it a crazy experience.”
The group have always embraced changes in technology, including appearing in Fortnite and staging an immersive concert with Apple Vision Pro., and Kirk warned other artists need to do the same or risk being “exploited”.
He said: “The formats and venues just keep on coming. Ten years ago, I didn’t know we would be characters in a Fortnite game or that Apple would create VR headsets that can bring you literally right in front of the performer or the athlete. We didn’t see any of this coming.
“We came up in a very traditional fashion where the platforms were albums, cassettes, CDs. You had nightclubs and theaters and arenas and stadiums. And you had radio. Then MTV showed up, and that became a different format.
“But for decades and decades, that’s all you had. Now every decade that comes by, there are four new platforms and new venues. Even the venues themselves are changing.
“It’s important to pay attention to all this stuff, because if you don’t apply yourself in a responsible fashion, someone else is going to do it for you, and you’re going to be on the exploited end. If you’re not paying attention, then stuff like Napster happens. It’s not for me to say, but that’s something to ponder.”
Despite the huge venues they play, the group are always looking for ways to connect with fans, particularly those they recognise from previous tours.
Kirk said: “We used to go out on stage with the lights still on so we can see everyone. We’d play or jam on some unrecorded song, and then, boom! The lights go off, and the show would begin. It’s a way for us to connect without playing our instruments or having a wall of sound out there…
“It’s our time to do exactly that, recognise and acknowledge all the faces, the regulars who are at every single freaking show, or have been to the last six shows, or whatever it is. We use that time to acknowledge them, and they acknowledge us. ‘Great to see you. You’re here at the show, right on, let’s rock out. Let’s all have fun again.'”