Metallica electrifies a sold-out Bank of America Stadium with a powerful performance, captivating 75,000 fans during their M72 World Tour.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thrash metal legends Metallica made a stop at a sold-out Bank of America Stadium on their world tour, bringing an explosion of loud music appreciated by new and longtime fans.
Nothing else mattered to the crowd of 75,000 strong as Metallica tore through their discography with a stage production fitting for the iconic band. A circular stage setup allowed band members to face the crowd in various directions throughout the show.
Metallica’s visit to Charlotte is a part of the North American leg of their M72 World Tour, which began in 2023. The tour is in support of 72 Seasons, the band’s latest album.
While 72 Seasons dictated much of the stage apparel and merchandise at this show, the overwhelming theme was a celebration of Metallica’s entire catalog and storied history as a band. Only two songs, “Lux Æterna” and “Screaming Suicide,” were played from 72 Seasons.
After “Ecstasy of Gold” from “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly” and AC/DC’s “Long Way to the Top” blared over the loudspeaker in normal tradition, Metallica hit the stage with the first headbanging riffs of “Creeping Death.” The crowd erupted as singer, guitarist James Hetfield shouted the first lyrics of the Ride the Lightning classic.
Fans of the 6-time platinum 1984 record rejoiced as Metallica played two more songs from the album, with the distorted bass-guitar-driven epic “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and the electric blast title track “Ride the Lightning.”
Metallica followed up the “Lightning” tracks with “The Memory Remains” off Reload. The 1997 record is not too fondly remembered by fans and critics, but two of its songs are staples in Metallica’s setlist. The other one was performed later in the concert.
The set took a slight dip in the next section, with the two aforementioned 72 Seasons songs and an instrumental piece featuring lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo. This section was well-received by the hardcore fans, but some of the casual listeners seemed to lose some energy during this period.
Hammett and Trujillo jammed through “Devil’s Lettuce” and teased parts of “Broken, Beaten, and Scarred.” The latter song comes off of Metallica’s 2008 album Death Magnetic. Another “Magnetic” song, “The Day That Never Comes,” was the next song in the band’s set when Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich returned to the stage.
With Hetfield’s command to give him fuel, fire, and that which he desires, the crowd was brought back to their feet for “Fuel” — this song being the other hit from Reload.
Another instrumental song was performed after, this one being much more familiar with the fanbase. Metallica played the bass-driven “Orion” as a tribute to late bassist Cliff Burton.
Immediately after Hetfield’s dedication to Burton, a magical, almost too-cool-to-be-true moment happened at Bank of America Stadium. As Hammett doodled his way into the first angelic, powerful notes of “Nothing Else Matters,” a lone rain cloud passed over, bringing a light sprinkle that showered the band as they played through perhaps their most iconic power ballad. The rain subsided at the song’s conclusion and did not return, capturing that moment in a picturesque masterpiece.
While far less dramatic, the remainder of the show was still just as memorable. The band hit the hard-charging “Sad But True” after Hetfield expressed adoration for the numerous families in attendance at the show.
Hetfield again showed gratitude for the crowd ahead of “Seek and Destroy,” asking the audience about 1983’s Kill ‘Em All and shouting out the word “seek.” Hetfield said it was a dream come true to see the entire stadium shout “destroy” back at him. Giant 72 Seasons-themed beach balls fell onto the stage and pit and danced around the scene as the song played on.
“Master of Puppets” followed with roaring applause. The band closed with “Enter Sandman” and said goodnight. The closing songs were well worth the wait for casual and diehard fans alike.
In total, Metallica played 16 songs from their iconic selection of music. The songs that they did not play were almost as big a topic of discussion. Notable tracks “Fade to Black,” “King Nothing,” and “The Unforgiven” did not make the cut despite their spots in the setlist during other shows on this tour. No songs from 1996’s Load, 2003’s St. Anger, or 2016’s Hardwired… to Self-Destruct were played at the Charlotte show.
Metallica showed deep appreciation for the Bank of America Stadium crowd. It’s the first time the band has performed at the facility. Metallica revolutionized metal music and became global icons in the 1980s, with their legacy now cemented forever. The band’s last appearance in Charlotte was in 2018. Hopefully, the band’s next date in the Queen City is not too far off.
