Watch Metallica open their first live show in two years with 'Whiplash'
In front of just 500 fans
Last updated 23rd Sep 2021
Metallica have shared professionally filmed footage of the opening song from their first live show in front of an audience in 738 days.
The heavy metal titans played a surprise hometown show at San Francisco’s 500-capacity club The Independent last Thursday night (16th September). It was Metallica’s first concert in front of a crowd since their two S&M2 shows at the San Francisco Chase Center in September 2019.
Metallica kicked off their performance in San Francisco with fearsome ‘Kill ‘Em All’ classic ‘Whiplash’, and it was the first time the song has ever been played as a set opener.
A week on from the show, Metallica have now shared pro-shot footage of ‘Whiplash’, which you can watch right here:
Metallica played 16 songs at The Independent including 'Ride The Lightning', 'Sad But True', 'Fade To Black', 'Master of Puppets' and 'Seek & Destroy'. It was the first show in a decade that ‘Enter Sandman’ and ‘Nothing Else Matters’ were omitted from a full Metallica concert setlist.
Following the performance, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich wrote on Instagram: “Back at it after two long years! So f---in psyched to share an on stage experience and connect to others thru live music again. San Francisco, thanx for rolling out… Cya in December at Chase Center for the 40th shenanigans.”
On Monday night (20th September), Metallica played a second surprise show at the Metro in Chicago in front of 1,100 fans.
Metallica play two sold out 40th anniversary shows at the San Francisco Chase Center on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th December 2021.
They play a series of European festivals in summer 2022 including the inaugural Download Festival Germany.
Metallica's setlist in San Francisco:
1) Whiplash
2) Ride The Lightning
3) The Memory Remains
4) Now That We’re Dead
5) Holier Than Thou
6) No Leaf Clover
7) Sad But True
8) Moth Into Flame
9) Fade To Black
10) For Whom The Bell Tolls
11) Creeping Death
12) One
13) Master Of Puppets
Encore:
14) Battery
15) Fuel
16) Seek & Destroy