Entertainment · Music · 5 hrs ago
James Hetfield says Metallica wants fans to leave outside worries behind
Metallica frontman James Hetfield spoke to the crowd during the band’s Sphere residency in Las Vegas.
He thanked fans who had traveled to see the band, then said Metallica was not there to influence them with an agenda.
He said the band wanted fans to forget their worries outside the venue and described its agenda as “love, energy and heavy music.”
Hetfield did not name the entertainers he was referring to.
The comments came as Metallica performs a residency at the immersive Sphere venue, with shows scheduled through March 2027.
Hetfield has previously said he prefers music to connect people rather than divide them through politics.
The remarks underline the band’s stated aim of making its shows an escape from outside concerns.
James Hetfield said Metallica was not at its Las Vegas Sphere residency to influence fans with an agenda.
He said the band wanted fans to forget outside worries and described its agenda as “love, energy and heavy music.”
Hetfield made the remarks during Metallica’s Oct. 10 show, thanking fans for the time and money they spent to attend.
He did not identify the entertainers he was referring to.
A Stereogum writer criticized Hetfield for making a point of presenting the band as apolitical.
- Who
- Metallica frontman James Hetfield addressed the audience.
- What
- He said Metallica was not there to influence fans with an agenda and wanted them to escape outside worries.
- When
- Oct. 10, 2026.
- Where
- Metallica’s Sphere residency in Las Vegas.
- Why
- Hetfield said the band wanted fans to focus on love, energy and heavy music; he did not name the entertainers he referenced.
James Hetfield
Stereogum writer
Purpose of the remarks
James Hetfield
Hetfield said Metallica was not there to influence fans and wanted them to forget outside worries.
Stereogum writer
The writer argued that making a point of being apolitical and criticizing other entertainers could also alienate people.
Hetfield told the BBC that Metallica stayed away from politics and religion because they could polarize people.
Metallica played its third Sphere residency performance and debuted “Fade to Black” during the run.
Hetfield told the Sphere audience that Metallica was not there to influence them with an agenda.
- Venue
- Sphere, Las Vegas
- Residency
- Life Burns Faster
- Residency length
- 24 dates
- Performance date
- Oct. 10, 2026
- Hetfield’s stated agenda
- Love, energy and heavy music
What people are saying
Metallica is not here, like some other entertainers, to influence you with their bullsh–.
Metallica’s agenda is love, energy and heavy music, baby!
I hate politics, I don’t want to talk about politics. That separates people and I want to connect them with music.
You can just go out and play your show without making a big show of how apolitical it is.
Sources
Metallica frontman James Hetfield blasts entertainers pushing political agendas at concerts
Metallica’s James Hetfield hits out at “some other entertainers” attempting “to influence you with their bullshit”
Metallica’s James Hetfield Has a Message for Entertainers Who Bring Their ‘Bullsh–‘ Agenda to the Stage
James Hetfield Shades “Entertainers” With Political Agendas At Metallica’s Sphere Residency
James Hetfield at Sphere: “Metallica Is Not Here, Like Some Other Entertainers, To Influence You with Their Bullshit”
James Hetfield Calls Out ‘Other Entertainers’ With an Agenda
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