Metallica brought their signature blend of thrash metal and theatrical spectacle to London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday night, delighting a sold-out crowd of 60,000 with a set that included pyrotechnics, lasers, and an unexpected cover of The Proclaimers' I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles).
Pyrotechnics and Stagecraft
The band opened with Whiplash, immediately unleashing a barrage of flames and fireworks that lit up the night sky. Throughout the two-and-a-half-hour show, the stage was engulfed in fireballs, with guitarist Kirk Hammett soloing atop a rising platform as sparks rained down. Drummer Lars Ulrich's kit was surrounded by pyrotechnic bursts timed to the beat of songs like For Whom the Bell Tolls and Master of Puppets.
Frontman James Hetfield addressed the crowd multiple times, at one point saying, "London, you've always been one of our favorite cities to play. We've been coming here for 40 years, and you never disappoint." The band also debuted a new song, Screaming Suicide, from their upcoming album 72 Seasons, which is set for release in April 2023.
Surprise Cover of The Proclaimers
The most talked-about moment of the night came when the band launched into a heavy metal rendition of The Proclaimers' I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles). Hetfield introduced the cover by saying, "We thought we'd do something a little different for you tonight. This is a song about walking, and we've walked a long way to get here." The crowd erupted, singing along to the chorus as the band pounded through the track with characteristic intensity.
According to a fan review on social media, "The Proclaimers cover was absolutely insane. Never thought I'd hear that at a Metallica show, but it worked perfectly." The cover was a one-off for the London show, and the band has not announced plans to include it in future setlists.
Setlist Highlights
The setlist spanned Metallica's entire career, from early thrash classics like Seek & Destroy and Creeping Death to later hits such as Enter Sandman and The Memory Remains. The band also performed Nothing Else Matters as part of an acoustic segment, with Hetfield playing an acoustic guitar and the crowd providing backup vocals.
Bassist Robert Trujillo had a standout moment during Orion, performing a solo that showcased his technical prowess. The encore featured Battery and One, the latter accompanied by a video montage of war imagery.
Fan Reaction and Critical Response
Fans praised the show's energy and production values. One concertgoer told the Guardian, "I've seen Metallica ten times, and this was the best. The pyro was next-level, and the Proclaimers cover was a hilarious surprise." Another fan noted that the band "sounded tighter than ever" despite their age.
Music critic John Aizlewood of the Evening Standard gave the show a four-star review, writing, "Metallica remain a formidable live act, combining brute force with theatrical flair. The Proclaimers cover was a moment of inspired silliness that could have backfired but instead brought the house down."
Upcoming Tour Dates
The London show was part of Metallica's European tour in support of 72 Seasons. The band is scheduled to play additional dates in Paris, Berlin, and Stockholm before heading to South America in August. Tickets for the tour have been in high demand, with many dates selling out within hours.
Metallica's next album, 72 Seasons, is their first studio release since 2016's Hardwired... to Self-Destruct. The album's lead single, Lux Æterna, has already topped rock charts in multiple countries.
