Metallica has announced one of their most intimate gigs to date, addressing rumors that their celebrated live show might head to the Las Vegas Sphere.
The metal icons are preparing to conclude their 2025 tour with performances in Australia, New Zealand, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. They have also announced a special one-off show in New York later this month.
The concert is scheduled for Aug. 28 at Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett on Long Island, a 250-capacity venue, making it one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers’ most intimate performances.
Presented by SiriusXM to celebrate the launch of the Maximum Metallica channel the following day, tickets are being distributed through contests by the band and SiriusXM.
According to Brooklyn Vegan, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich discussed the upcoming gig with Howard Stern on Wednesday, Aug. 6, and addressed rumors about a potential residency at the Las Vegas Sphere.
A recent report by Vital Vegas cited unnamed sources suggesting Metallica might hold a residency at the Sphere in fall 2026. However, Ulrich stated he was unable to confirm these rumors, saying there is “nothing to confirm.”
“But I’m not going to deny it, because we’re all such fans of this venue,” Ulrich explained. “All of our managers and our production people have been there and looked at it. It’s something that we’re considering, [but] nothing is etched in stone or green-lit. It’s something that we’re looking at at some point when the 2026 tour is done.”
Officially known as Sphere at the Venetian Resort, the immersive venue opened in September 2023, with U2 launching a 40-date run of shows. Other artists like Phish, Dead & Company, the Eagles, and Kenny Chesney have since performed residencies, with the Zac Brown Band set to appear after the Backstreet Boys’ current shows conclude.
“I was there seeing U2 the first night, when they took that stage, I wanted to see it for myself before I saw it on YouTube or read about it,” Ulrich told Stern. “I was there, like everybody else that was there that night, I was completely blown away and felt that was the beginning of another chapter in live performances.”
“I’m not going to lie, I would love to do it, let there be no question about it. It’s not signed, sealed and delivered, but speaking to me and asking my opinion I would love to do it.”
Metallica will wrap their 2025 tour with stops in Australia and New Zealand in November, followed by dates in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Their current M72 World Tour will conclude in July 2026 with shows in Europe and the U.K.
