<\/p>\n
Metallica\u2019s residency at the venue is a done deal, according to multiple sources familiar with the band\u2019s plans in Las Vegas. Look for the anthemic rock band to play the Sphere this fall and winter.<\/p>\n
Metallica has reportedly signed for a run of between 12 and 16 shows running October through December. This agreement was finalized months ago, according to sources.<\/p>\n
Sphere officials have declined to comment on a Metallica residency. A company rep said Wednesday, \u201cWe do not comment<\/span> on any artists performing at Sphere except for those who have been announced.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The closest we have to formal confirmation of a Metallica run in Las Vegas is comment from Sphere Entertainment Chairman and CEO James Dolan in August. The Sphere exec was asked during \u201cThe Wizard of Oz at Sphere\u201d opening if Metallica was an incoming headliner. He responded, \u201cI\u2019m not going to dissuade that one.\u201d<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The production would coincide with the 40th anniversary of \u201cMaster of Puppets,\u201d the band\u2019s first gold album. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Metallica would be the first heavy metal band to play Sphere. They were also the first metal band to play Allegiant Stadium<\/a>, in February 2022. The classic lineup of James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett <\/strong>and Robert Trujillo<\/strong> close their \u201cM72\u201d world tour July 5 in London. That leaves sufficient time to build a Sphere-caliber production.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n On Monday, the U.K. Sun quoted an<\/span><\/span><\/span> anonymous source as saying, \u201cThe contracts are still to be signed but we were told they are 90 percent there. Metallica will bring a different feel to a show there and there is a lot of excitement from bosses at the Sphere about what this could look like.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n In August, as Metallica-to-Sphere rumors percolated online, Ulrich told Howard Stern<\/strong>, \u201cI\u2019m not going to confirm anything, because there\u2019s nothing to confirm. But I\u2019m not going to deny it, because we\u2019re all such fans of this venue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n John Katsilometes\u2019 column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com.<\/a> Follow @johnnykats<\/a> on X, @JohnnyKats1<\/a> on Instagram.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n