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Lars Ulrich says he was “awestruck and inspired” by U2’s Las Vegas Sphere show ahead of “intimidating” Metallica residency
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has spoken about being awestruck by U2's opening night at Las Vegas's Sphere venue, ahead of his own band's upcoming residency there this autumn. Speaking to U2 guitarist The Edge on SiriusXM, Ulrich described the show as inspiring and said it opened his eyes to new possibilities on stage, adding to the anticipation surrounding Metallica's own stint at the state-of-the-art venue.
Metallica's "Life Burns Faster" residency was originally planned as eight dates in October 2026 but, after strong demand, has been expanded to 24 shows running in weekly pairs from October 2026 to March 2027. Ulrich admitted the prospect is "overwhelming and fucking intimidating" but said he hoped the band would find their footing once on stage, noting they rarely perform outside environments they fully control. The Sphere, known for its wraparound 16K screens and advanced sound system, has previously hosted residencies by U2, Phish, Dead & Company and the Eagles, and bandmates Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo have separately praised the venue's technological possibilities.
In short
- Lars Ulrich praises U2's Sphere show ahead of Metallica's residency there.
- Metallica's Las Vegas Sphere run expanded to 24 dates, October 2026–March 2027.
- Ulrich admits the residency feels "overwhelming and fucking intimidating".
Explained simply
The Sphere is a state-of-the-art concert venue in Las Vegas, celebrated for its cutting-edge technology including massive wraparound screens and advanced sound systems. It has attracted residencies from major artists including U2, Phish, the Eagles and Dead & Company, establishing itself as a prestigious destination for extended concert series.
Metallica is one of the world's most commercially successful rock bands, and drummer Lars Ulrich is a founding member. The band will perform an extended residency at the Sphere from October 2026 to March 2027, with the run expanded to 24 shows across that period following significant ticket demand.
The residency represents uncharted territory for Metallica, as the band typically performs in environments where it maintains complete technical control. Performing at the Sphere, with its pre-built systems and specific design, requires the band to adapt to an entirely different type of venue, making the extended engagement a significant challenge.