METALLICA has launched a new concert series, #MetallicaMondays, where the band will stream the complete video of a METALLICA live show for fans on the group’s YouTube channel and on Facebook every week. The first concert to be shared was recorded on June 8th, 2019 at the iconic venue Slane Castle in Meath, Ireland and can be seen below. The two-and-a-half-hour gig remains available to view from the comfort of one’s home, with the group joking that viewers could “take a break from Netflix.”
“While we’re all doing our part and staying home, we find ourselves missing live music,” METALLICA said in a statement. “So how about we dive back into a few of our favorite shows at a socially responsible distance? Not to sound too cheesy, but now more than ever, we’re in this together, and staying connected is how we’ll get through it. With that in mind, we’re bringing a series of live Metallica shows right to your couch!”
During the Slane set, METALLICA dedicated its cover version of “Whiskey In The Jar” – one of the most widely performed traditional Irish songs and has been recorded by numerous artists since the 1950s – to Phil Lynott. METALLICA first covered “Whiskey In The Jar” in 1998, reportedly inspired by THIN LIZZY‘s 1973 version.
METALLICA concert at Slane marked the band’s first appearance in Ireland since it played in Belfast in 2010 and Dublin in 2009. The legendary heavy metal act was unable to play in the country during the indoor leg of the “WorldWired” tour in 2018 because of the size of its stage show.“We’re blessed to be here after 38 years,” front-man Hetfield told the audience during the performance, as reported by The Irish Times. “But what’s more amazing is that you’re still here. Thank you, Metallica family, for turning up here.”
METALLICA has been largely out of the public eye since last fall when the band canceled an Australian tour and announced that Hetfield was returning to rehab for the first time since 2002 to battle his addictions. Hetfield made his first major public appearance since entering rehab on January 30, when an exhibit featuring 10 of his classic custom cars opened at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
On Monday, Metallica also revised their 2020 concert plans as a result of the many changes occurring in the face of the global public health crisis. Earlier this month, the band announced a “Vinyl Club“ subscription service. In addition, the band’s appearances at three Danny Wimmer Presents – produced festivals in May have been canceled: Epicenter in Charlotte, Welcome To Rockville in Daytona and Sonic Temple in Columbus.
