What it was like at opening night of Metallica at Sphere in Las Vegas

Opening night of Metallica’s residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas on October 1 delivered a visually dense production that blended fan‑made tributes, nostalgic stage design and a career‑spanning setlist. Prior to the 8:45 p.m. start, hundreds of fan‑crafted flags and notes bearing niche references stretched across the dome, eventually giving way to a montage of archival instrumentality photos that swirled to the apex of the venue. Below the audience, a sprawling stage configuration evoked a 1980s teenager’s bedroom after an impulsive Guitar Center haul. One end displayed pieces labeled “Doris” (or Lady Justice) alongside Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath posters; towering amplifiers and a soft sat beside a Metallica‑themed pinball machine on the opposite side. The pre‑show hold concluded as the goosebump‑inducing