Metallica play phenomenal second headline set at Download Festival – setlist and photos

Metallica kept up the ante from their first headline set at Download Festival and delivered a second metal masterclass on Saturday night (10th June).

The two Download Festival slots were part of Metallica’s M72 World Tour, which features a ‘no repeat weekend’ in each location with no songs played twice.

The kind of performance that has you thumbing at the thesaurus for superlatives, Metallica kicked off their set with a blistering rendition of ‘Kill ‘Em All’ anthem ‘Whiplash’ - a track that sounds as fresh and ferocious as it did four decades ago.

With people as far as 15 miles away saying they could hear Thursday’s set, thankfully Metallica didn’t turn the volume down and early tracks like ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ and ‘Ride the Lightning’ pounded through the 80,000-strong crowd’s chests.

Arguably a better setlist than Thursday, zeniths were aplenty throughout. ‘Moth Into Flame’ was augmented by Rammstein-esque eruptions of pyro, ‘The Unforgiven’ was truly colossal and the band’s cover of ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ was dedicated to the late-great Phil Lynott.

Echoing Thursday’s performance, Metallica were jubilant throughout with an ecstatic James Hetfield beaming and praising the crowd.

Referencing Lars Ulrich’s no-show in 2004, when Slipknot’s Joey Jordison filled in for the drummer at the eleventh hour, Papa Het told the audience it was Metallica’s 10th performance at Donington.

“It’s Lars’ ninth show,” he quipped. “Lars is going to be here tomorrow playing with all the other bands to make up for it. He'll catch up with us one day.”

Metallica’s set ended on a euphoric high with a spine-tingling ‘One’ and a blistering sing-along of ‘Enter Sandman’, which culminated with a jaw-dropping fireworks finale.

See photos of Metallica’s headline set below plus pictures of Disturbed, Clutch and many more.

Metallica’s M72 World Tour, live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington TX, comes to cinemas worldwide on 18 & 20 August via Trafalgar Releasing.

Tickets on sale now at metallica.film

Metallica’s Download Festival setlist on Saturday 10th June:

Whiplash

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Ride the Lightning

Until It Sleeps

72 Seasons

If Darkness Had a Son

Welcome Home (Sanitarium)

You Must Burn!

The Call of Ktulu

The Unforgiven

Wherever I May Roam

Moth Into Flame

Battery

Whiskey in the Jar

One

Enter Sandman

Saturday at Download Festival 2023 in photos:

Listen to Planet Rock on DAB nationwide, on our Rayo app, online or via your smart speaker (“Play Planet Rock”).

• Metallica