Metallica is back on the road! After a half-year hiatus, the thrash metal legends are bringing their M72 world tour to fans across the globe. Kirk Hammett, the band’s lead guitarist, recently spoke to The Metallica Report about the excitement of returning to the stage.
However, amidst the buzz of upcoming concerts, Hammett revealed a surprising source of annoyance – Metallica’s touring schedule itself. While fans eagerly await the band’s high-octane live show, Hammett seems to crave a more rigorous touring life.
“I don’t believe we tour enough. But that’s just how it is,” said the eager rockstar.
Craving More Touring with Metallica
Hammett spoke fondly about the feeling of Metallica being a “working, touring band,” something he sometimes misses. However, Hammett also revealed a surprising source of frustration: he believes the band doesn’t tour enough.
Despite his longing for a more rigorous touring schedule, Hammett maintains a positive attitude. He enthusiastically embraces every opportunity to perform, viewing playing guitar, writing, recording, and touring as the essence of being in Metallica.
Hammett added, “So, what I can get out of this, I’m always up for it. It’s just, like, ‘Yeah, bring it on.’ ’Cause this is what it’s all about, is playing guitar and writing, recording, going out on tour. It’s what it’s all about. And I don’t feel that there’s enough of it in my life right now.”
“Everything Looks Super Familiar…”
The M72 tour, known for its unique two-night, no-repeat setlist format, has been rocking cities worldwide since its launch in April 2023. Now, after a six-month break, the band is gearing up for the European leg of the tour in 2024. Kicking things off with shows in Munich and Milan, Metallica will head across Europe throughout the summer, hitting Spain, Denmark, Norway, France, and Poland.
For Kirk Hammett, the return feels more like a continuation than a new beginning. Stepping back onto the stage in Munich after the hiatus, he described it as “walking out to see the stage yesterday…it just felt like a continuation.”
The familiarity of the stage setup, crew, instruments, and even the setlist itself seems to ease the guitarist back into the touring groove. “Everything looks super familiar… It’s really easy for me to spot right into place,” the guitarist shared.
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Metallica Prioritizes Time at Home on Tour
Metallica is known for striking a balance between touring and personal life. The band prioritizes spending time with loved ones, even when on the road. This approach is made possible by their success, as drummer Lars Ulrich explained in a 2017 interview with Noisey.
“When you’re fortunate enough to become successful, when you become successful you can become more financially independent.,” Ulrich said. “And so, we’ve been able to put parameters on how we tour so we can spend more time at home.”
Metallica’s touring schedule reflects this philosophy. They may not be on the road constantly, but when they are, they aim to minimize the time away from their families.
Balancing Sanity and the Road Using a Strategy
Lars also revealed a specific strategy behind Metallica’s commitment to work-life balance while touring. The band operates under a “two-week rule”, limiting themselves to a maximum of 16 days on the road before returning home. This approach may not be the most efficient financially, according to Ulrich, but it prioritizes mental well-being.
Ulrich highlights the importance of this structure. He believes maintaining a sense of sanity is crucial for delivering consistent, high-quality performances throughout a long tour. “If you remain somewhat sane, then there’s a better chance of finishing all the shows and not jumping off the deep end in despair and misery,” the drummer added.
The two-week rule helps prevent burnout and fosters a positive mental state, ultimately contributing to a successful and enjoyable experience for both the band and the fans.