Metallica’s Lars Ulrich Admits Band’s Upcoming Las Vegas Sphere Residency Feels ‘Overwhelming and F—ing Intimidating’

**Metallica Set for Groundbreaking Residency at Las Vegas Sphere**

Legendary heavy metal band Metallica is gearing up for a special residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, scheduled to take place from October 2026 through March 2027. The band has been preparing intensely for this unprecedented series of performances, with drummer Lars Ulrich revealing that their preparations have spanned a year and a half.

In a recent interview on The Edge’s SiriusXM show, Ulrich shared his thoughts on the immersive venue, which is renowned for its cutting-edge technology and striking design. The drummer described his awe after witnessing U2’s show at the Sphere, reflecting on how the experience left him inspired and energised. “I was there opening night and was so just f—ing awestruck,” he stated. “It was just, like, ‘Holy s—, this is somehow another frontier.’”

Ulrich expressed a sense of both excitement and apprehension about the band’s upcoming performances, acknowledging how the Sphere represents a “new level” for live music. The venue boasts an awe-inspiring 580,000 square feet of LED screens, creating a visual experience that heightens the audience’s connection to the performance. “This is something else. This is another level. And so to be able to do that here is so exciting,” he said.

The drummer went on to discuss the challenges inherent in performing in such an extraordinary setting. “It’s going to be challenging, and obviously, I think like everybody else I’ve talked to about it, it’s overwhelming and f—ing intimidating,” Ulrich noted. The band will need to adapt their usual performance style to fit the venue’s unique requirements. “Hopefully, when we step out on stage that first night, we’ll have it somewhat together,” he added with a hint of optimism.

Interestingly, Ulrich remarked on the rarity of uncertainty in Metallica’s performances. He acknowledged that the band often operates in controlled environments where they have full knowledge of their setup and surroundings. “That’s a place, maybe, we don’t end up in often enough because we have a tendency to put ourselves in environments that we completely control and know,” he said. This upcoming residency, however, is expected to challenge those norms, allowing the band a rare opportunity to embrace unpredictability.

Metallica’s residency follows an impressive lineup of artists who have graced the Sphere, including U2, Phish, the Eagles, and many others. The magnitude of performing in such a state-of-the-art venue has not gone unnoticed by fellow musicians. Recently, Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins expressed admiration for the artists who have taken on the challenge of performing at the Sphere, highlighting the technical demands and the need for pulling in large audiences.

“Mad respect for anybody who can play the Sphere because it’s a heavy lift,” Corgan commented. “It’s a production thing, and you really have to draw a lot of people.” Such praise underscores the immense expectations placed on those who are set to follow in the footsteps of prior headliners, and Metallica is no exception.

As the countdown to their October 2026 residency begins, Metallica, comprised of James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo alongside Ulrich, is expected to deliver performances that push the boundaries of live music. Their experience, coupled with the innovation of the Sphere, is poised to create a memorable atmosphere for fans attending these shows.

With their legacy firmly established over decades, Metallica’s residency at Sphere will not only represent a significant milestone for the band but also highlight the evolving nature of live entertainment in an age driven by technology and creativity. As they prepare to step into this “new frontier,” all eyes will be on Metallica to see how they rise to the occasion and redefine the concert experience for their fans.