Metallica Plays Their First Ever Concert In Saudi Arabia (Video)
Lars Ulrich of Metallica hypes up the crowd during the intro to "For Whom the Bell Tolls", at Ford Field on November 12, 2023.
The boys from Metallica did something they’d never done in their forty-plus years in existence, they played Saudi Arabia. Yes, they’ve played just about every stage in the world, but this marked the first time they ever performed there.
They headlined the first day of the Soundstorm festival to a huge crowd. Their sixteen-song set spanned their vast career, from the first album right up to the latest from the guys, 72 Seasons. The show was a look back on some of the biggest songs in the band’s past, maybe in the entire genre.
Here’s what their setlist looked like for the show.
1) Creeping Death
2) For Whom The Bell Tolls
3) Wherever I May Roam
4) The Memory Remains
5) Lux Aeterna
6) Too Far Gone
7) Fade To Black
8) Fuel
9) Orion
10) Nothing Else Matters
11) Sad But True
12) The Unforgiven
13) Seek & Destroy
14) One
15) Master Of Puppets
16) Enter Sandman
Of course, fresh off their tour of the states where they did the “No Repeat” weekend, playing Friday and Sunday in various cities across America without playing the same song twice in each town. They wrapped that up here in Detroit with two shows at Ford Filed in early November. You can check out some pictures from that weekend below the video.
Check out the video of their performance below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVx-ZMf5Fr4
The Weekend Wrap Up With Metallica In Detroit
I know this past weekend was going to crush, but it CRUSHED! Metallica at Ford Field was everything I had hoped for and more.
For me, the surprise of the weekend was how much I really enjoyed Pantera. Just to hear Phil Anselmo’s voice yelling out those classic songs was something I’d forgotten about. Just classic! Zakk and the band nailed it! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised as everyone who has seen them play has told me how good they were.
The biggest rush I got was seeing Metallica take the stage for the first time. It’s no secret I’m a huge fan and even use “The Ecstasy Of Gold” intro when I come on the air every day, so seeing that live never gets old. The stage, the way they took it, the banter after on it after half the crowd had piled out, was all original and all Metallica.
My weekend started by interviewing bassist Robert Trujillo for a two-part conversation. That went very well, as I knew it would. Robert’s a solid guy and an awesome player! I guess I was most intrigued to find out how much Motown music played in his early musical formation. You can go to my page to see both conversations.
It was also cool to spend some time with drummer, Charlie Benante. I’d never really met him before, although I’ve been around him. I found him very nice. He’s somewhat quiet, but a pleasure to hang out with and a legit music fan. He really enjoyed the museum.
A huge Thank You goes out to all the WRIF listeners who stopped by my broadcast Friday night to check in with me. It was non-stop, and I appreciate you guys. Even when I wasn’t “working” at the show on Sunday, I was constantly stopped by you guys to say Hello…Thank You! Also, a shout to my friends from The Struggle Within Michigan. Hit them up, follow their socials, and let’s grow this chapter to one of the biggest in the country!
Pictures from Friday’s show can be found here. Sunday’s show can be found here.
Ok, time to rest……just kidding!
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history.
Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.
