Metallica are playing a lot of things close to the vest, like when they’ll be putting out their next record (sometime this year – and there’s only 23 Fridays left!), and also what they’ll be doing as far as touring. They played the Super Bowl, kind of, and earlier this year announced “one more show for 2016” in Minneapolis a few months back that will be taking place in August. Turns out that’s not exactly the case, as it was announced yesterday that they’ll be playing a free show at the Great Lawn in Central Park as part of the Global Citizen Fest.
Before you head over and start waiting in line for the show, which will take place on September 24th, you should know a few things. First of all, given the talent that’s appearing, Metallica are actually at the bottom of the bill as far as headliners. Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Selena Gomez and Major Lazer appear above them on the marquee. The poverty relief benefit show will also include performances by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Usher, Ellie Goulding, Yandel and Cat Stevens.
And while tickets for the benefit will be free, they won’t come super easy. You’ll have to do things to earn points to enter to win tickets (like tweet a video of yourself to demand that Tanzanian Parliament ends child marriage or email major universities to admit more refugees). All of it has an end goal for global education, and it’s ultimately for a good cause. Just know that you’ll probably have to sit through some pop to get to Metallica. At least there’s some actual rock music at the fest this year, the most since it’s inaugural year in 2012 that included Foo Fighters, The Black Keys and Band of Horses.
To get involved, go here.
