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LARS ULRICH On METALLICA’s Upcoming Sphere Residency: ‘It’s Overwhelming And Intimidating’
METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich has spoken about the band's forthcoming residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, describing the prospect as both exciting and daunting. Speaking on U2 guitarist The Edge's SiriusXM show "Close To The Edge," Ulrich said the band had been preparing for the residency for around a year and a half, drawing inspiration from U2's pioneering shows at the venue in 2023. The remarks matter as they offer fans an early sense of how the band is approaching one of the most technically demanding staging challenges in modern live music.
METALLICA originally announced eight Sphere dates for October 2026, later expanding the run with additional shows in November, January, February and March. Ulrich admitted the scale of the production feels "overwhelming and intimidating," noting the band usually prefers environments it can fully control, unlike the immersive, technology-driven Sphere. He also reflected on his 45-year working relationship with bandmate James Hetfield, crediting their differing backgrounds and personalities for the group's chemistry. The Sphere, a 17,600-capacity venue near the Las Vegas Strip known for its 16K wraparound screen, has previously hosted residencies by U2, Phish, Dead & Company and the Eagles.
In short
- Lars Ulrich calls METALLICA's Sphere residency "overwhelming and intimidating"
- Shows now run from October 2026 through March 2027
- Ulrich also praised his 45-year partnership with James Hetfield
Explained simply
The Sphere is a vast music venue in Las Vegas that features a wall-sized screen surrounding the audience. Metallica is planning to perform multiple shows there over several months, an arrangement called a residency that allows fans to see the band on multiple nights in one place.
The Sphere combines live music with immersive visual technology on an enormous scale, making it one of the world's most advanced concert venues. Other major acts, including U2, have performed residencies there, whilst Metallica's run extends from October 2026 through March 2027. The band traditionally prefers direct control of the concert environment, unlike the Sphere's immersive approach.
Metallica is one of the world's most successful rock bands, formed in the 1980s, known for their influence on heavy metal music. The shift to the Sphere represents a departure from how the band has typically staged concerts.