Metallica Switch It Up in Adelaide with Local Tribute and Fresh Setlist Twists
Metallica’s Adelaide concert offered fans a mix of surprises and familiar power. The band paid tribute to local rock icons The Angels, refreshed their setlist from Perth, and kept their tradition of city-specific tributes alive across the Australian tour.
Local Tribute and Fan Expectations
By the time the tour reached Adelaide, the onstage jam sessions between Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo had become a highlight. Fans anticipated another local connection after the buzz from Perth’s performance, and they were not disappointed.
Mid-set, Hammett and Trujillo merged INXS’s “Need You Tonight” with The Angels’ “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again,” giving Adelaide a moments of its own.
This collaboration not only honored The Angels’ hometown roots but also proved how Metallica tailor each show to resonate with the crowd.
Setlist Shifts Between Cities
Each stop on the tour has revealed small but deliberate setlist changes. In Perth, fans heard Budgie’s “Crash Course in Brain Surgery” and John Butler Trio’s “Zebra.” In Adelaide, the mood shifted toward mid-era Metallica, with “Leper Messiah” and “King Nothing” replacing Perth’s selections of “Holier Than Thou,” “The Unforgiven,” and “Wherever I May Roam.”
Core Set Remains Steady
- Moth Into Flame
- Lux Æterna
- Seek & Destroy
These mainstays anchor the performance, while local tributes and track changes keep every concert unique—no easy feat for a band performing to massive crowds night after night.
Author’s Summary
Metallica’s Adelaide show proved their mastery of adapting each concert to its locale, blending classics with local flavor to keep their Australian tour energetic and personal.