It’s not every day you see the ‘Masters of Puppets’ hanging out at a soft-rock show, but that’s exactly what happened recently at the Sphere. All 4 members of Metallica (James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo) were spotted in the crowd for the Eagles’ residency last weekend. This event fueled a firestorm of rumors that the metal legends are next in line to conquer the world’s greatest venue.
Why was Metallica at Sphere?
While the band was technically there as Eagles fans, industry insiders are whispering that the visit was more than just a night out. Reports earlier suggested that Metallica is 90% of the way through negotiations for their own residency. First, we heard about fall 2026, but it seems like we’re more likely to look at 2027 – following the conclusion of their massive M72 World Tour.
Are we gonna see the metal legends at Sphere?
It looks like it! The band hasn’t exactly been shy about their interest. Drummer Lars Ulrich, who attended U2’s opening night at the venue back in 2023, told Howard Stern: “I would love to do it, let there be no question about it.” Bassist Robert Trujillo has also been vocal about the creative potential, imagining what a song like Orion could look like with the Sphere’s wraparound LED screens.
If the deal closes, Metallica would be the first metal act to headline the Sphere, joining names like U2, Backstreet Boys, Phish, Eagles, and many more. Given the band’s history of technological experimentation (like their recent Fortnite collaboration), the Sphere’s immersive environment seems like the perfect playground for their next chapter.
We’d love to give you the breaking news right now, but nothing’s set in stone. However, we’re optimistic – with the full band already meeting with tech teams and scouting the venue in person, it feels like only a matter of time before the Sandman enters Vegas.