Latest news with #KirkHammett
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Metallica at The Sphere: 6 artists we want to see at Las Vegas venue
The metal giants are rumoured to be taking up a residency in 2026, but who do we want to see perform at The Sphere? Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Sphere could have it's next residency lined up for 2026. Reports have suggested that Metallica could perform a series of dates at the multi-billion-dollar Las Vegas venue in Autumn 2026. But who do we think could be a stunning residency at The Sphere should the opportunity arise? Could Metallica be the next huge act to perform at the multi-billion-dollar The Sphere in Las Vegas? That's currently the rumour doing the rounds after the weekend, after Blabbermouth reported (via Vital Vegas) that the metal giants are 'ready to ink a deal' to take up a residency in the $2.3bn venue around 'fall of 2026.' That timing would fall after the band completes their current M72 World Tour, with their European leg set to conclude in June next year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's been a query that's not new to the group; when asked by The Hollywood Reporter this past April if the band would entertain the idea of performing at the venue, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett was very keen on the idea, responding: '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.' They would follow the likes of U2 and Phish, who have both undertaken residencies at the venue before, along with the Backstreet Boys, who are currently bringing their 'Into the Millennium' tour to The Sphere this Summer 2025 as the very first Pop Act to perform there. Due to overwhelming demand, they've even added three final shows on August 22, 23, and 24. But if there is a suggestion box for who else could play The Sphere, we've a couple of suggestions ourselves we'd like to see with the full, futuristic audio-visual setup. Who do we want to see perform at Las Vegas' The Sphere? Tool Tool's intricate, progressive, and visually driven live performances are already legendary, even in conventional venues. Their use of complex, often abstract, and psychedelic visualizers would be taken to an entirely new level within the Sphere's 160,000 square-foot wrap-around LED screen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The band's emphasis on atmosphere and deeply immersive soundscapes would find a perfect home, allowing for a truly meditative yet overwhelming sensory experience that few other artists could match. The Sphere's advanced sound system would perfectly articulate the subtle nuances and seismic shifts in their music. Dr. Dre and Associates Imagine the iconic West Coast sound echoing through the Sphere's unparalleled audio system, accompanied by visuals that transport the audience through the history of hip-hop, the streets of Compton, or abstract interpretations of their beats. Dr. Dre, along with a rotating cast of his legendary associates (Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Ice Cube, etc.), could craft a hip-hop spectacle unlike anything seen before. The visual storytelling potential for tracks like 'Still D.R.E.' or 'California Love' would be phenomenal, making it a cultural landmark event - and potentially another appearance of Tupac akin to Coachella? Gorillaz Gorillaz's unique blend of music and animated characters makes them an ideal candidate for The Sphere. The venue would allow for the virtual band members (2-D, Murdoc, Noodle, Russel) to be brought to life on a scale never before imagined, interacting with each other and the audience in a truly immersive digital environment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Live musicians could perform within this animated world, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. The visual storytelling capabilities for their eclectic musical styles and narratives would make for a truly innovative and fun residency. Pink Floyd This is arguably the most natural fit for The Sphere. Pink Floyd's entire artistic legacy is defined by ground-breaking visual spectacles, elaborate stage productions, and immersive concept albums. The Wall projected across the entire dome, Dark Side of the Moon with cosmic journeys unfolding above and around the audience, or Wish You Were Here with haunting, expansive landscapes. The Sphere's perfect audio and visual capabilities were practically made for a band like Pink Floyd to deliver the ultimate psychedelic rock experience, building on their history of pushing technological boundaries in live performance. Charli XCX Charli XCX's boundary-pushing pop, hyperpop aesthetics, and energetic stage presence make her a prime candidate for The Sphere. Her shows are already known for their vibrant, often chaotic, and highly stylized visual elements. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Sphere would allow her to create an even more exaggerated, surreal, and interactive environment, playing with scale and digital immersion to build a truly unique pop concert experience. She could create a hyperreal world that perfectly complements her experimental sound. Led Zeppelin While the logistical challenges of a reunion for Led Zeppelin are immense, the sheer fantasy of seeing them at The Sphere is undeniable. Imagine 'Stairway to Heaven' with celestial visuals encompassing the entire dome, or 'Whole Lotta Love' with kaleidoscopic patterns and psychedelic light shows engulfing the audience. Their iconic blues-rock sound, raw energy, and mystical lyrical themes would find a transcendent canvas in the Sphere's technology, offering a multi-sensory journey through their legendary discography that would be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Daft Punk While their live appearances are rare and highly coveted, Daft Punk's entire artistry is built on a seamless blend of music, light, and futuristic aesthetics. A Daft Punk residency at The Sphere would be nothing short of a religious experience for electronic music fans. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Their iconic pyramid stage could be reimagined within the Sphere's vast interior, with visuals transforming the entire space into an ever-evolving, mind-bending electronic landscape. The precise synths and driving beats, combined with truly revolutionary visuals, would be an absolute masterclass in audio-visual performance. Who would you like to see perform a residency at Las Vegas' The Sphere? Let us know your suggestions by leaving a comment down below.
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Metallica at The Sphere: 6 artists we want to see at Las Vegas venue
The metal giants are rumoured to be taking up a residency in 2026, but who do we want to see perform at The Sphere? Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Sphere could have it's next residency lined up for 2026. Reports have suggested that Metallica could perform a series of dates at the multi-billion-dollar Las Vegas venue in Autumn 2026. But who do we think could be a stunning residency at The Sphere should the opportunity arise? Could Metallica be the next huge act to perform at the multi-billion-dollar The Sphere in Las Vegas? That's currently the rumour doing the rounds after the weekend, after Blabbermouth reported (via Vital Vegas) that the metal giants are 'ready to ink a deal' to take up a residency in the $2.3bn venue around 'fall of 2026.' That timing would fall after the band completes their current M72 World Tour, with their European leg set to conclude in June next year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's been a query that's not new to the group; when asked by The Hollywood Reporter this past April if the band would entertain the idea of performing at the venue, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett was very keen on the idea, responding: '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.' They would follow the likes of U2 and Phish, who have both undertaken residencies at the venue before, along with the Backstreet Boys, who are currently bringing their 'Into the Millennium' tour to The Sphere this Summer 2025 as the very first Pop Act to perform there. Due to overwhelming demand, they've even added three final shows on August 22, 23, and 24. But if there is a suggestion box for who else could play The Sphere, we've a couple of suggestions ourselves we'd like to see with the full, futuristic audio-visual setup. Who do we want to see perform at Las Vegas' The Sphere? Tool Tool's intricate, progressive, and visually driven live performances are already legendary, even in conventional venues. Their use of complex, often abstract, and psychedelic visualizers would be taken to an entirely new level within the Sphere's 160,000 square-foot wrap-around LED screen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The band's emphasis on atmosphere and deeply immersive soundscapes would find a perfect home, allowing for a truly meditative yet overwhelming sensory experience that few other artists could match. The Sphere's advanced sound system would perfectly articulate the subtle nuances and seismic shifts in their music. Dr. Dre and Associates Imagine the iconic West Coast sound echoing through the Sphere's unparalleled audio system, accompanied by visuals that transport the audience through the history of hip-hop, the streets of Compton, or abstract interpretations of their beats. Dr. Dre, along with a rotating cast of his legendary associates (Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Ice Cube, etc.), could craft a hip-hop spectacle unlike anything seen before. The visual storytelling potential for tracks like 'Still D.R.E.' or 'California Love' would be phenomenal, making it a cultural landmark event - and potentially another appearance of Tupac akin to Coachella? Gorillaz Gorillaz's unique blend of music and animated characters makes them an ideal candidate for The Sphere. The venue would allow for the virtual band members (2-D, Murdoc, Noodle, Russel) to be brought to life on a scale never before imagined, interacting with each other and the audience in a truly immersive digital environment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Live musicians could perform within this animated world, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. The visual storytelling capabilities for their eclectic musical styles and narratives would make for a truly innovative and fun residency. Pink Floyd This is arguably the most natural fit for The Sphere. Pink Floyd's entire artistic legacy is defined by ground-breaking visual spectacles, elaborate stage productions, and immersive concept albums. The Wall projected across the entire dome, Dark Side of the Moon with cosmic journeys unfolding above and around the audience, or Wish You Were Here with haunting, expansive landscapes. The Sphere's perfect audio and visual capabilities were practically made for a band like Pink Floyd to deliver the ultimate psychedelic rock experience, building on their history of pushing technological boundaries in live performance. Charli XCX Charli XCX's boundary-pushing pop, hyperpop aesthetics, and energetic stage presence make her a prime candidate for The Sphere. Her shows are already known for their vibrant, often chaotic, and highly stylized visual elements. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Sphere would allow her to create an even more exaggerated, surreal, and interactive environment, playing with scale and digital immersion to build a truly unique pop concert experience. She could create a hyperreal world that perfectly complements her experimental sound. Led Zeppelin While the logistical challenges of a reunion for Led Zeppelin are immense, the sheer fantasy of seeing them at The Sphere is undeniable. Imagine 'Stairway to Heaven' with celestial visuals encompassing the entire dome, or 'Whole Lotta Love' with kaleidoscopic patterns and psychedelic light shows engulfing the audience. Their iconic blues-rock sound, raw energy, and mystical lyrical themes would find a transcendent canvas in the Sphere's technology, offering a multi-sensory journey through their legendary discography that would be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Daft Punk While their live appearances are rare and highly coveted, Daft Punk's entire artistry is built on a seamless blend of music, light, and futuristic aesthetics. A Daft Punk residency at The Sphere would be nothing short of a religious experience for electronic music fans. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Their iconic pyramid stage could be reimagined within the Sphere's vast interior, with visuals transforming the entire space into an ever-evolving, mind-bending electronic landscape. The precise synths and driving beats, combined with truly revolutionary visuals, would be an absolute masterclass in audio-visual performance.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Metallica Might Be Planning A 2026 Las Vegas Sphere Residency
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 20: (L-R) James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of Metallica perform at ... More Levi's Stadium on June 20, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by) A recent report by Vital Vegas suggests that Metallica might be eyeing a fall 2026 residency at the Las Vegas Sphere. According to the website, Metallica could be joining the ranks of U2, Dead & Company, Phish, Anyma, The Eagles, Kenny Chesney, Backstreet Boys and Zac Brown Band, who've all performed at the mystifying Las Vegas venue. While there's not much evidence the website provides to back up these rumors, Vital Vegas notes, 'our sources have been spot on with other Sphere news, and we even broke the story 'Wizard of Oz' would get a reboot there.' Metallica is slated to kick off their 2026 M72 World Tour in the late spring, which will conclude in the early summer on July 5th, 2026. In theory, a fall 2026 residency wouldn't conflict with the band's touring schedule for next year, or at least not any of Metallica's plans that have been made public. Drummer Lars Ulrich did recently suggest that Metallica does have 'one or two other things that may pop up' when discussing the band's plans for the rest of the year. Back in April, guitarist Kirk Hammett was also asked by The Hollywood Reporter if Metallica would ever be interested in performing at the Sphere, to which he replied '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 A.I. and making it a crazy experience.' Metallica Playing The Sphere Is Inevitable While there's been no confirmation by Metallica and no official details released regarding a Metallica Las Vegas residency, fans can expect The Sphere to be on Metallica's bucket list. As the first and only band to perform on all seven continents (yes, including Antarctica), Metallica are no strangers to seeking out unique performance opportunities. In fact, knowing Metallica and their eagerness to be on the cutting edge of live concert experiences, it's more surprising the band hasn't already played the Las Vegas Sphere – Metallica jumped to the forefront of Apple's Immersive Video initiative this year with their first ever Apple Vision Pro concert. It'll be no surprise when Metallica announces they're hosting a residency at the iconic Las Vegas venue, and when it does eventually happen it'll likely be one of the most sought-after gigs of the band's career.
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Metallica Returns To A Chart That Seems A Strange Fit For The Band
Metallica returns to Billboard's Classical Albums chart at No. 24 with S&M, a 25-year-old live set ... More with the San Francisco Symphony. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 06: James Hetfield (L) and Kirk Hammett of Metallica perform with the San Francisco Symphony during the "S&M2" concerts at the opening night at Chase Center on September 06, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by) Metallica lives on Billboard's hard rock charts, where the group never completely disappears. Sometimes the band remains present with just one album, while in other instances, the rockers claim a successful project and one or even several popular songs. At the moment, Metallica finds space not just on the hard rock-focused lists, but also on those focused on more general rock music, as well as some rankings that don't stick to only one style, but rather, a single form of consumption. The legends even managed to return to one tally in America that has nothing to do with rock music. Metallica Returns to the Classical Albums Chart Metallica finds its way back to the Classical Albums chart this week. The group reappears at No. 24 with S&M, a live recording that flips many of the band's tunes on their head and makes them sound completely different from how most fans know them. The project is credited not only to Metallica but also to Michael Kamen, conducting the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. S&M Peaked Inside the Top 10 S&M debuted on the Classical Albums tally in March 2020, and the set reached its high point of No. 8 in September of that year. Including this latest stay, the project has now spent 27 weeks among the most successful classical recordings in the United States. Its follow-up, S&M2, was even more successful. In the same week S&M reached its peak in September 2020, S&M2 debuted at No. 1, where it would go on to spend 10 weeks. That full-length has now racked up exactly a year on the Classical Albums ranking. Metallica's S&M Recently Turned 25 Metallica released S&M in November 1999, and the album recently turned 25 years old. The masterpiece, which is widely regarded as one of the most impressive live albums of all time, sees the band performing some of its most familiar singles — such as 'Master of Puppets,' 'Nothing Else Matters,' and 'Enter Sandman' — with the backing of the San Francisco Symphony, whose performance adds a new element to the heavy metal group's catalog. Metallica, Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets Hit the Sales Chart Metallica scores a number of hit albums in America this week. In addition to S&M, the group's self-titled effort appears on four rankings, including the Billboard 200, Top Rock & Alternative Albums, and Top Hard Rock Albums, where it holds at No. 8. Both Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets join Metallica on the Top Album Sales chart, where all three dip from their positions the previous frame. The group also sees 'Enter Sandman' continue to chart inside the top 10 on both the Hard Rock Streaming Songs and Hard Rock Digital Song Sales tallies at the same time.
Forbes
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Metallica's Self-Titled Blockbuster Returns As The Band's Album Debuts
Metallica's self-titled album becomes a bestseller again decades later as the band's Load debuts on ... More multiple lists thanks to a super deluxe edition. American heavy metal band Metallica - winners of the 'Rock and Roll Artist of the Year' award - attend the 8th Annual Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, 8th December 1997. L - R: James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, Jason Newsted. (Photo by) This week is all about Load for Metallica. The hard rock legends recently delivered a super deluxe edition of the decades-old full-length, and fans turned it into a bestseller once again. Load soars back onto charts all around the world, including in the United Kingdom, as it returns to a number of tallies and debuts on multiple rankings at the same time. As interest in Load skyrockets, another title in Metallica's discography also benefits from all the excitement. Metallica's Self-Titled Album Becomes a Bestseller Again The band's self-titled release — often referred to as The Black Album — is a bestseller again in the U.K. this week. The title breaks back onto the Official Album Downloads chart at No. 67. At the same time, it falls nine spaces to second-to-last place on the 40-spot Official Rock & Metal Albums list. While Metallica has only spent a few dozen frames on the downloads roster, it recently passed 1,000 weeks on the list of the bestselling rock and metal collections in the country. Load Debuts on Multiple Charts Load makes its debut on the Official Album Downloads chart this week, joining Metallica, as neither title was present on the ranking just days ago. Load opens at No. 45 and makes a much more impressive start on both the Official Vinyl Albums and Official Albums Sales rankings, where it kicks off at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively. The same effort reenters another trio of tallies. Load jumps back to No. 1 on the Official Rock & Metal Albums chart – after not finding space on that tally just last frame – giving Metallica a pair of titles on that list as well. The same studio effort finds its way back to the top 10 on the Official Physical Albums list, coming in at No. 6, and it also manages to appear in the upper half of the Official Albums roster, where it reenters at No. 45. Metallica's Decades-Old Albums Remain the Band's Biggest While Metallica still releases music regularly and is currently touring the United States, both of its charting albums in the U.K. have been around for more than a quarter-century. Metallica, or The Black Album as it's sometimes known, was released in 1991. Half a decade later, Load arrived. Since then, the group has shared five additional full-lengths, but its earlier works remain standards in hard rock.
