Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has admitted the band’s upcoming Las Vegas Sphere residency is both exciting and intimidating as the metal icons prepare for one of the biggest productions of their career.
Metallica will begin their Life Burns Faster residency at the Sphere on 1 October 2026, with a 24-show run continuing into spring 2027.
Speaking on The Edge’s SiriusXM show Close To The Edge, Ulrich said performing inside the cutting-edge venue presents an entirely new challenge for the band.
Lars Ulrich says The Sphere is unlike anything Metallica has done
Ulrich described the experience of preparing for the residency as both inspiring and daunting.
“This is something else.
“This is another level. And so to be able to do that here is so exciting.”
Despite Metallica’s reputation for staging some of rock’s biggest live productions, Ulrich admitted the Sphere presents unfamiliar territory.
“It’s going to be challenging, and obviously, I think like everybody else I’ve talked to about it, it’s overwhelming and f****** intimidating.”
He added that stepping outside the band’s comfort zone is part of the appeal.
“But hopefully when we step out on stage that first night, we’ll have it somewhat together. That’s a place, maybe, we don’t end up in often enough because we have a tendency to put ourselves in environments that we completely control and know. And so I think it’s really good to be able to throw yourself for the loop like that.”
U2 inspired Metallica’s Sphere ambitions
Ulrich also recalled attending U2’s opening night at the Sphere, describing the performance as a defining moment that demonstrated the venue’s potential.
“I was there opening night and was so just f****** awestruck, inspired, energised – all of it.
“It was just, like, ‘Holy s***, this is somehow another frontier’.”
The Sphere has become one of the world’s most technologically advanced concert venues, featuring a wraparound LED display, immersive audio and multi-sensory effects that allow artists to create fully immersive live experiences.
Ticket demand broke records
When tickets went on sale, demand for Metallica’s residency reached record levels, prompting widespread queues and frustration among fans trying to secure seats.
In a statement shared after the on-sale, the band thanked fans for the overwhelming response.
“We are so appreciative and grateful to all of you for the incredible response… we cannot believe that we will have 24 amazing nights on stage there, all thanks to you and a record-breaking week.”
Metallica also acknowledged complaints about the ticket-buying experience.
“We hear you loud and clear that the ticket-buying process was often frustrating and not always smooth. We’re working with our partners to improve this experience and offer some remedies for the next time around.”
The band confirmed they have no plans to add additional dates at this stage.
No repeat weekends return for Las Vegas residency
The residency will continue Metallica’s popular No Repeat Weekend format, introduced during the M72 World Tour.
Each Thursday and Saturday performance will feature a completely different setlist, giving fans attending multiple shows a unique experience.
The residency follows the band’s hugely successful M72 World Tour, which has attracted more than four million fans across Europe, North America, the Pacific Rim and the Middle East over the past two years.
At the Sphere, Metallica will perform songs spanning their entire catalogue while making full use of the venue’s immersive technology to create a live show unlike anything they have previously staged.
