Metallica takes over Detroit this weekend: Here’s a rundown
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Metallica has a busy weekend game plan in Detroit, and the band's two shows at a packed Ford Field are just the main blitz. There's a whole Motor City onslaught coming.
The concerts at Ford Field are the group's first in Detroit since a memorable 2017 night at Comerica Park, which came four years after Metallica's two-day Orion Music + More fest at Belle Isle.
Here’s a look at what’s ahead as the metal veterans — James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo — hit town with openers Pantera (Friday), Five Finger Death Punch (Sunday) and more.
Ford Field doubleheader
Since April, Metallica has been immersed in its M72 World Tour, a global outing tied to the release of the group’s latest album, “72 Seasons.”
The Bay Area thrashers have been playing live around the world for four decades — performing literally on all seven continents — but this tour is unlike any before it: Every market gets two show nights, each with its own distinct set list.
The No Repeat Weekend, as the tour is subtitled, will bring Metallica to Ford Field on Friday and Sunday with a unique production twist. The band will work on a circular stage positioned at midfield for an in-the-round concert experience, similar to the setup Ed Sheeran deployed when he played the Detroit Lions’ stadium in July.
Detroit is the final stop on the 2023 segment of the tour, which will resume next year with legs in Europe and North America.
As for the set lists? They've evolved since the tour's spring launch, but in every city to this point, the two nights have featured their own career-spanning blends of hits and deeper cuts. The only common denominator on these concert doubleheaders has been the opening music: In keeping with Metallica's stage entrance for decades, the band is preceded by “The Ecstasy of Gold,” Ennio Morricone’s iconic 1966 theme for “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”
The two-night packages originally offered by Metallica are sold out (though you can find them for resale at Ticketmaster and elsewhere). Single-show tickets remain available for $55 and up.
More music — including a family affair
In between Friday and Sunday’s Ford Field shows, Saturday will bring its own loaded music menu, officially sanctioned by Metallica.
Saint Andrew’s Hall, at 431 E. Congress in Detroit, will host a tribute-band night featuring the Southern California acts Damage, Inc. and Motorbreath (the latter of which specializes in Metallica’s late-'80s era and shouldn’t be confused with the Flint group of the same name). Tickets are $25 and doors open at 7 p.m.
Inside the Sanctuary, at 2932 Caniff in Hamtramck, the Saturday bill will be headlined by Bastardane, a Georgia trio that includes drummer Castor Hetfield, the 23-year-old son of Metallica vocalist-guitarist James Hetfield. (Dad has been known to pop by recent gigs.)
The Sanctuary event also features the bands Fury in Few and Klept. Tickets for the all-ages show are $15 and doors open at 7 p.m.
Downtown pop-up shop
A variety of Metallica merchandise — including vinyl records, skateboards, custom posters and clothing from the band’s partnership with apparel manufacturer Wolverine — will be available daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
The pop-up space will be activated alongside the Detroit Free Press building at 160 W. Fort St. in downtown Detroit.
James Hetfield book signing
The Metallica co-founder’s forthcoming book — “Messengers: The Guitars of James Hetfield” — is an exploration of his instrument collection, from his definitive Electra OGV to his own custom models, accompanied by Hetfield's reflections on his playing and career.
The 400-page coffee-table volume will be available widely from Permuted Press on Nov. 21, but Detroit fans have early access via an in-person event with Hetfield at Third Man Records at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Jack White-owned retail complex is at 441 W. Canfield, Detroit.
Some Metallica whiskey
Metallica became the latest celebrity entrant into the spirits game with the 2018 launch of the Blackened Whiskey line, a project with the late distilling specialist Dave Pickerell that has included song-inspired blends such as Rye the Lightning.
A bottle signing with Kentucky-based distillers Rob Dietrich and Kaveh Zamanian will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Total Wine & More, 13801 Lakeside Circle in Sterling Heights.
Ahead of Metallica's Ford Field shows Friday and Sunday, Blackened Whiskey happy hours will kick off at 3 p.m. each day at Thomas Magee's, 1408 E. Fisher Service Drive, Detroit.
Charitable tie-ins and #metallicagivesback
Metallica's All Within My Hands foundation has linked up with the nonprofit Farmlink Project as a main M72 World Tour partner, helping provide surplus farm food to families.
Tour stops have also included local donation recipients. In Detroit, those will be Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan — which has also been supported this year by Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen — and Alternatives for Girls, a shelter and housing stability group. Funding amounts are expected to be announced after this weekend's shows.
Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.
Metallica
6 p.m. Friday and Sunday
With Pantera and Mammoth WVH (Friday), Five Finger Death Punch and Ice Nine Kills (Sunday)
Ford Field
2000 Brush St., Detroit.
$55 and up.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Metallica takes over Detroit this weekend: Here’s a rundown
