A New Chapter for the M72 Tour
Metallica made a thunderous return to Dublin this weekend, marking their first headlining shows in Ireland since 2019. Performing at the Aviva Stadium, the legendary metal quartet—James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Rob Trujillo, and Lars Ulrich—kicked off the first of two nights as part of their M72 ‘No Repeat Weekender’ tour, a rare format where no songs are repeated across two nights.
The production, as reported by the Irish Examiner, is a technical marvel. The band performed on a massive circular stage positioned in the center of the pitch, featuring an intimate “snake pit” area for select fans. The visual experience was amplified by eight 30-meter-high video and speaker towers, though the open-air design left the band exposed to Ireland’s unpredictable summer rain, which persisted throughout the performance.
The ‘No Repeat’ Strategy
The band’s decision to omit major hits such as “One” and “Enter Sandman” from the first night’s setlist underscored a bold artistic choice. While the show opened with high-energy classics like “Creeping Death” and “Harvester of Sorrow,” the middle section shifted focus toward material from their recent output. According to reviews, this transition saw a noticeable dip in crowd engagement, particularly during newer tracks and a cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Whiskey in the Jar.”
However, the emotional core of the evening was anchored by the instrumental “Orion,” a tribute to the band’s late bassist Cliff Burton. The night concluded with a high-intensity run including “Fuel” and “Master of Puppets,” confirming that despite the absence of certain staples, the band’s 45-year legacy remains a potent draw for their 40,000-strong audience.