“I was there when U2 played the opening night and was awestruck, inspired, energized.” Lars Ulrich is excited at the idea of Metallica “conquering” the “intimidating” Las Vegas Sphere

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has spoken of his excitement ahead of the band's residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, describing the high-tech venue as "intimidating" but expressing confidence in "conquering" it. The residency, titled Life Burns Faster, begins on 1 October and follows the completion of the band's M72 World Tour, which has now been officially certified as the tenth highest-grossing tour of all time. Ulrich's comments highlight the pressure on Metallica to deliver a standout show given the calibre of acts that have previously performed at the venue.

Metallica's Sphere shows are scheduled across October and November this year, with further dates planned for January, February and March 2027. In playing the venue, the band join a list of major acts who have staged residencies there, including U2, Eagles, Phish, and Dead and Company. Ulrich recalled attending U2's opening night at the Sphere, saying he was "awestruck, inspired, energized" by the experience, which has informed his anticipation for Metallica's own run at the venue.