Lars Ulrich Inspired by U2's Sphere Show as Metallica Prepares Historic 24-Night Vegas Residency

When Lars Ulrich walked into the Las Vegas Sphere to catch U2’s opening night, he had no idea he was about to get a masterclass in reimagining what a live rock concert could be. The Metallica drummer left completely energized and inspired, calling the experience“awestruck and inspired”in a recent conversation with U2’s The Edge. The Sphere isn’t your typical concert venue. We’re talking 16K wraparound screens, a sound system that sounds like it came from another planet, and technology that lets artists explore possibilities they’ve never had before. U2 stepped up to the challenge and showed everyone what happens when cutting-edge tech meets world-class musicianship.

That experience clearly stuck with Ulrich because Metallica’s about to do something nobody would’ve expected. The band’s launching their own residency at the Sphere starting in October 2026, and it’s way bigger than they originally planned. What started as eight nights has turned into twenty-four nights running through March 2027. That’s a serious commitment to one venue, but Ulrich’s not shying away from the challenge. He’s being honest about how he feels too. He told The Edge that the whole thing is“challenging, overwhelming, and fucking intimidating.”But instead of that scaring him off, it’s exactly why the band wants to do it. After decades at the top of the rock world and just wrapping up their massive M72 world tour, Metallica could easily play it safe. Instead, they’re choosing to step into the unknown and push themselves in a brand-new way.

This is what keeps a band like Metallica relevant and hungry—the willingness to take risks and try something different even when they’ve already won the game. They’re not trying to prove they’re still the best rock band in the world. They already know that. They’re trying to prove something more important: that they’re still willing to be challenged, still capable of growth, and still want to create moments that blow people’s minds. That’s the kind of energy that separates the legends from the bands that are just going through the motions. Are you planning to catch any of Metallica’s Sphere residency shows?