The Metalica guitarist expresses his opinion about Metallica’s tours and is crystal clear about it. “Is not sufficient”.
During an appearance on the 45th episode of “The Metallica Report,” the podcast that offers weekly updates on all things related to Metallicathe band’s guitarist, Kirk Hammettspoke about what it has meant to return to the road after a six-month break from the world tour.M72”. Kirk explained: “I’m happy to be here and bring music to people, as always. And I’m happy to feel that Metallica is a band that works and tours, because sometimes I miss that feeling, since I don’t think we tour enough. But that’s how things are. So whatever I can get out of this, I’m always ready. It’s like, ‘Yeah, go ahead.’ Because that’s what it’s all about, playing guitar, writing, recording, going on tour. That’s what it’s about. And I don’t feel like there’s enough of that in my life right now.”
Preparation for Metallica shows
Regarding his preparation for these shows, Hammett commented: “It’s normal for us. I hang out with Rob [el bajista de Metallica, Robert Trujillo] during the day for final arrangements of the duos. And I make sure I get on a Peloton for about 20 minutes, because I have knee problems, so that pedaling, I have to make sure my knee is strong. And then once I get to the concert, I usually do my usual yoga routine. And my whole day is filled with playing the guitar sporadically here and there.”
Kirk Hammett’s health
Regarding his current lifestyle in terms of health, Kirk said: “Well, I maintain a physically active lifestyle anyway. When I’m at home, I’m always walking or cycling, swimming. I can’t run or surf these days because of the aforementioned knee problem. But I hope it’s just a temporary thing — I know it’s a temporary thing. But going into this tour, I was totally ready and fit, which is pretty remarkable considering I have a lot of responsibilities at home and such. But I managed to put it all together miraculously — miraculously. And it was like, ‘Yeah, we’re going on tour. I’m ready.’ …I mean, let’s be real. I’m a musician. I am a guitarist. And so it becomes a great opportunity, because I play my guitar every day — to be able to get paid for it, of course, of course I’m going to do it… because I’m going to play my guitar anyway. They better pay me for it. [Risas]”
In a 2017 interview with Noisey, Lars Ulrich commented that it was Metallica’s enormous commercial success that allowed the band to control how much they tour each year. “Over the years, when you are lucky enough to be successful, when you become successful you can become more financially independent,” the Metallica drummer explained. “And so we have been able to set parameters on how we tour so we can spend more time at home. We have a two-week rule: we don’t leave the house for more than two weeks at a time, 16 days maximum. We did 180 dates on the last album in two-week increments. It’s not the most cost-effective way to tour the world, but we believe you can’t put a price on sanity. If you stay somewhat sane, then there’s a better chance of finishing all the shows and not falling into despair and misery.”
In support of Metallica’s latest album, “72 Seasons,” the band has been playing two-night shows with no repeat songs in each city, first in Europe, then in North America and now back in Europe, as part of the tour. “M72”. Each concert sees Metallica performing on a ring-shaped stage, with the Snake Pit in the center, and four drummers that are equally spaced around the circular stage so that drummer Lars Ulrich can get closer to the audience at various points in the show.
After Munich and Milan, Metallica continued their European tour during the first part of the summer, with stops in Spain, Denmark, Norway, France and Poland, among others. Another round of North American dates will kick off on August 2 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with stops in Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle and Edmonton. Metallica will close out the 2024 touring season with four shows in Mexico City at the end of September.
According to Billboard, Metallica’s production travels on 87 trucks: 45 for the band and its crew, plus two groups of 21 each for the steel stage and towers. There are 130 people on the band’s team, plus 40 steelworkers, local hires and truck drivers.
