Michael Christopher's Rock Music Menu
When Metallica comes to town, it’s a whole lot different than when other bands do.
They don’t just make a pit stop for a night or two and then split; as part of their “Philadelphia Takeover,” the hard rock organization sets up shop with all sorts of things to do besides the pair of shows at The Linc this weekend, Friday and Sunday.
Oh, right, this didn’t just randomly pop up on the calendar, there are actual concerts as the centerpiece to this takeover.
Not content resting on the backs of numerous hits, Top 40 or otherwise, Metallica are still putting out new material after all this time.
Even wilder? It’s really good.
The critically acclaimed “72 Seasons” came out in 2023, which is when this tour in support of it began. The majority of the docket sees singer/guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett, and bassist Robert Trujillo locking onto acity for a “No Repeat Weekend.”
Typically taking place on a Friday and Sunday, the Bay Area metal titans perform a full set each night, with no songs played twice.
That means if you might not hear “Enter Sandman” Sunday, but that audience at the other show doesn’t get “One,” or “King Nothing.” And maybe the deep cut “Orion” makes an appearance Friday, but those headbangers come Sunday miss “The Call of Ktulu.”
It’s an ingenious idea, as most fans of the group are going to want to see both shows to better their chances of hearing all their favorites.
The openers don’t repeat either.
Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills handle support duties on night one, while Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies take the second.
Lineups like those are another reason why a stadium is getting filled for a double-shot of evenings.
But that night in between, everyone is still thinking about the band, whether it’s from the performance the night prior or the one coming up the next, so why not maximize the profit on a need via a variety of Metallica-related events on Saturday?
Heck, why not just do it in the days leading up to the first show too!
The “Philadelphia Takeover” began Tuesday at the site of the concerts, with the American Red Cross teaming up with the band for a blood drive at Lincoln Financial Field.
It continues Friday as Metallica’s charity, All Within My Hands (AWMH), will have a volunteer opportunity at Philabundance, 3616 S. Galloway St. from 9:15 a.m. to noon.
The takeover really kicks into high gear Saturday with a full slate of ticketed events, beginning at noon with the largest national kid-friendly live concert series, The Rock & Roll Playhouse presenting “Music of Metallica for Kids.”
Taking place upstairs at Brooklyn Bowl at noon, the show is aimed at filling the void for a shared musical metal experience between parents and children.
Afterward, downstairs at Brooklyn Bowl, there’s a 2 p.m. Metallica Rock & Bowl bowling event.
Tune into 93.3 WMMR for your chance to bowl alongside members of Metallica’s crew and the radio station staff.
Across the way at The Foundry, beginning at 4 p.m., will be “The Art of Squindo – 104 Seasons of Metallica Art.”
The seated event features a live onstage conversation celebrating over 25 years of Metallica art with Squindo himself, Tony Squindo.
Next up at The Fillmore is “Kirk Hammett/The Collection: Live” starting at 6 p.m.
The Metallica guitarist will be live onstage in conversation with the Director of Brand Experience for Gibson Guitars, Mark Agnesi, to talk about his latest book from Gibson Publishing, “The Collection: Kirk Hammett,” which takes the deepest-ever dive into the iconic guitars Hammett has rocked for more than 40 years.
Finally, the night leads to a big decision for the 7 p.m. slot.
Fans can go upstairs at Brooklyn Bowl for a tribute band event dubbed “… And Tributes for All,” featuring the Metallica cover bands Orion and Obey Your Master. The show is all ages.
Another option is to go see a sneak peek of the band’s latest film project, “Metallica Saved My Life,” at AMC Neshaminy 24 in Bensalem.
The documentary explores Metallica’s world through the lives of fans who have supported one another through highs, lows, trials, and triumphs for over four decades. And yeah, the group is in it a little bit, too.
Running through Sunday is the M72 Pop-Up Shop at West Shunk Street and South 23rd Street.
The shop will feature its own splatter vinyl edition of “72 Seasons” and an exclusive screen-printed poster, event T, and an artist-designed skateboard, all special for the Philly shows.
Premium items, including the newest Dixxon flannel collaboration, will also be available.
A full selection of new and classic merch and high-quality Metallica-branded Yeti products will be on hand at the pop-up, and remember to pick up a fan card during your visit for a chance to win prizes, including passes to the Snake Pit, the audience area dead center of the Metallica stage, on the 50-yard line, at the Linc.
Vinyl of the Week
Keep an eye on this spot as each week we’ll be looking at new or soon-to-be-released vinyl from a variety of artists.
It might be a repressing of a landmark recording, special edition, or new collection from a legendary act. This week, it’s the 40th anniversary of a record that started off the mainstream breakthrough of a band from Australia.
Though most casual music fans know “Kick” and “X” from INXS as their landmark LPs, “Listen Like Thieves” was a hugely significant and pivotal album for the Australian rock band.
To celebrate the four-decade mark of the 1985 release, a 40th anniversary deluxe edition is now available, featuring a new mixand loads of previously unreleased bonus material.
Having already built a reputation for their unique sound and incredible live shows, alongside growing but pocketed success with their previous four LPs, it was the release of “Listen Like Thieves” that saw INXS become one of the biggest and captivating bands of a generation.
Led by the Mick Jagger meets Jim Morrison swagger of frontman Michael Hutchence, the band nearly broke into the Top 10 on the U.S. album charts, with the single “What You Need” shooting up to No. 5 on the Hot 100.
“Listen Like Thieves: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition” is a deep dive celebration into the album and is available in various formats and configurations, including a three-LP/CD set.
Highlights include a 2025 remix of the album by Giles Martin and Paul Hicks, extensive previously unreleased outtakes and demos, a rare BBC Recording, “Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, 1986,” and a brand-new interview with the band by acclaimed writer Paul Sexton.
The extended edition two-CD contains the new mix, with the second disc featuring a selection of B-sides, remixes and live recordings.
The one-LP 40th Anniversary Edition vinyl also contains the new 2025 mix, which was spearheaded by INXS’s executive producer Giles Martin and Paul Hicks in partnership with the band.
Built from the ground up using the original masters, they were able to find new layers of sonic depth and a fresh dimension, giving fans a new listening experience.
Martin also curated the trove of session tracks, outtakes, and demos that give a compelling chronicle of the music in development.
“Live at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 1986” is a gem the BBC forgot they had.
Recorded in June 1986, this BBC radio broadcast recording originally aired later that year and was the first time the band playedat the iconic venue.
It was an incredibly special evening for the band and the crowd; among them, rock alumni Mick Jagger, The Cult, Psychedelic Furs, and more, all who were buzzing with anticipation, demanding a double encore, and the band was more than happy to oblige.
It was a poignant night for INXS, who, in hindsight, were just getting started on their path of global dominance.
Five years later, they headlined Wembley Stadium and, knowing what we know now, the Royal Albert Hall gig was the show that started the UK’s INXS love affair.
Initially released in October 1985, “Listen Like Thieves” delivered four singles, including the aforementioned opening track “What You Need.”
The album peaked at No. 1 in Australia and No. 11 on the United States Billboard 200, spending over a year on the chart.
By 1988, the album had achieved Platinum status and reached Double Platinum by 1997.
“Listen Like Thieves: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition” can be found online and from all respectable retailers who carry vinyl.
To contact music columnist Michael Christopher, send an email to [email protected]. Also, check out his website at thechroniclesofmc.com.
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