Metallica Ignites London Stadium With First of Two Epic “No Repeats” Shows

Metallica brings a career-spanning set to London Stadium, delivering a unique “no repeats” metal experience for fans.

A Night of Metal Magic Begins

From the moment Metallica stormed onto the stage at London Stadium on July 3, 2026, it was clear this wouldn’t be your average metal gig. As a fan who's followed the band through thick and thin, I can tell you this show was a masterclass in celebrating the past while charging boldly into the present. The “no repeats” concept for their two London shows means each setlist stands completely apart—a thrilling promise for longtime fans eager to witness the band’s depth live.

Metallica owning the stage at London Stadium, July 3, 2026.

The ‘M72’ Tour Roars Into London

These London dates close out the UK and Ireland leg of Metallica’s mammoth ‘M72’ world tour, which kicked off back in April 2023. The tour spotlights the band’s latest album, 72 Seasons, with a setlist that skillfully balances fresh tracks alongside their classic heavy hitters. After electrifying performances in Dublin, Glasgow, and Cardiff in recent weeks, the London crowd was buzzing with anticipation to see how the “no repeats” promise would unfold.

When opening acts Knocked Loose and Gojira warmed up the audience, the stage was already primed for a spectacle. And what a spectacle it was.

A Setlist to Satisfy Every Metalhead

Metallica launched their first London Stadium set with the thunderous ‘Creeping Death’ from 1984’s Ride The Lightning. It was like a lightning bolt charging through the stadium, setting the tone for the rest of the night. They swiftly followed with ‘Harvester Of Sorrow’ from the intense …And Justice For All album, and then hit a couple of fan-favorites from their iconic 1991 Black Album—‘Holier Than Thou’ and ‘Of Wolf And Man’.

Fans were treated to a blend of eras, a musical timeline that showcased Metallica’s evolution. The band didn’t just stick to the old classics, though. They brought the heat with ‘Lux Æterna’ and ‘If Darkness Had a Son’ from 72 Seasons, plus ‘Hardwired’ from their 2016 comeback album Hardwired… to Self-Destruct. This mix showed the band’s ability to remain relevant and powerful, no matter the decade.

Legendary Doodles: A Special London Tribute

One of the coolest parts of the night was the unique “doodle” segment—a tradition where bassist Rob Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett cover songs connected to the city they’re playing in. Previously in Cardiff, they boldly played Tom Jones’ ‘Delilah’, despite the track being banned at the venue. For London, they delivered a spirited medley of Ian Dury’s ‘Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll’ and The Clash’s ‘Guns of Brixton’—two quintessentially British anthems that got the crowd roaring.

This kind of thoughtful homage adds a local flavor that every fan appreciates—a nod to the culture that fuels Metallica’s tour stops.

Unforgettable Moments and Fan Favorites

James Hetfield’s infectious good humor lit up the night:

“London, you better look out because Metallica is in a good mood tonight… and it’s all your fault. This is where we get to see the love and the care in your faces, and we get to give it right back.”

After the doodles and new tracks, the band dove back into more classic territory. ‘Fade To Black’ was a standout moment—one of those rare songs the entire band agrees is “pretty good,” as Hetfield joked. The set also featured live renditions of ‘Cyanide’, the instrumental masterpiece ‘Orion’, and the emotional ‘Nothing Else Matters’.

Guitarist Kirk Hammett even borrowed the guitar of Gojira’s Christian Andreu to shred on ‘Sad But True’, a powerful 1991 anthem, while Trujillo took bass duties from the snakepit, mingling with fans for an up-close experience. The night’s crescendo was a triple-shot of metal classics: ‘Fuel’, ‘Seek & Destroy’, and the epic ‘Master Of Puppets’.

Videos That Capture the Night

For those who couldn’t be there, the magic is preserved in these amazing clips:

• Full Metallica set at London Stadium, July 3, 2026
• Live ‘Harvester of Sorrow’
• ‘Holier Than Thou’ performance
• Unique doodle medley: Ian Dury & The Clash
• Classic ‘Sad But True’
• ‘Nothing Else Matters’ live
• ‘Of Wolf and Man’
• ‘Creeping Death’ in stunning 4K
• ‘Master of Puppets’ finale
• ‘Sad But True’ energy
• ‘Fuel’ live intensity
• Instrumental ‘Orion’
• ‘Fade to Black’ emotional live

The Full Night One Setlist

Here’s the exact lineup Metallica brought to London Stadium on July 3, 2026:

1. Creeping Death
2. Harvester of Sorrow
3. Holier Than Thou
4. Of Wolf and Man
5. Lux Æterna
6. If Darkness Had a Son
7. Kirk and Rob Doodle (Ian Dury’s ‘Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll’ / The Clash’s ‘Guns of Brixton’)
8. Fade to Black
9. Cyanide
10. Orion
11. Nothing Else Matters
12. Sad but True
13. Hardwired
14. Fuel
15. Seek & Destroy
16. Master of Puppets

Each track was carefully chosen to give a unique experience, building the excitement for the second London show promised to be an entirely different beast.

What’s Next for Metallica?

The “no repeats weekend” continues with the second London Stadium show on July 5, where fans can expect an entirely fresh setlist that promises just as much energy and passion. This will be the final stop in the UK and Europe for 2026 before Metallica heads back to the US for a Las Vegas residency at the Sphere starting October 1, stretching into 2027.

Though the band hasn’t dropped new material since 72 Seasons in 2023, they have recently re-released a remastered version of their 1997 album Reload, packed with unreleased demos and live cuts—a treasure trove for die-hard fans.

The Metallica Experience: More Than Just Music

This tour has been a celebration of not only music but community. Metallica has covered diverse artists from The Pogues and The Proclaimers to a-ha and ABBA on recent dates, proving their versatility and love for music history. Guitarist Kirk Hammett has sparked buzz with some bold fashion statements, while the band made history by partnering with UK blood services to encourage donations—a first for a metal group. They even donated £20,000 to a Cardiff food bank after a packed show, underscoring their commitment beyond the stage.

Wrapping Up an Unforgettable Night

James Hetfield summed it up perfectly as the night drew to a close:

“I have the best job in the whole world... so blessed to still be here after 45 years.”

For metal fans, nights like these are what keep the spirit alive. Metallica doesn’t just play music—they make history.

FAQ

• What was unique about Metallica’s London Stadium shows?
  Metallica promised “no repeats” setlists across their two London shows, meaning each night featured an entirely different selection of songs.
• Which albums did Metallica draw from for the London set?
  The band played tracks from classic albums like Ride The Lightning, …And Justice For All, Black Album, their latest 72 Seasons, and Hardwired… to Self-Destruct.
• What is the special “doodle” segment in Metallica’s shows?
  It’s a unique cover medley performed by Rob Trujillo and Kirk Hammett that honors songs written in the city where they are playing.
• What future plans does Metallica have after the UK shows?
  They will launch a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas starting October 1, 2026, continuing into 2027.
• Has Metallica released any new music recently?
  While no new albums since 72 Seasons, they recently reissued a remastered Reload album featuring unreleased demos and live performances.

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