Metallica kicked off their 2025 M72 tour on Saturday (19) at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY, marking their first performance in the city in nearly 30 years. Supported by Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies, the event drew over 47,500 fans, officially breaking the Dome’s all-time concert attendance record previously set by The Who in 1982.
The band’s signature in-the-round stage setup filled the venue with fans surrounding every angle of the 50-yard-line stage, including thousands on the floor and in the Snake Pit. This has been a staple setup for their M72 trek, which started in 2023, supporting their 2023 record, 72 Seasons. Unlike the previous two years, this third year twists the tour with no repeat weekends and single-night performances. Syracuse was a single night, combining both nights into a fifteen-song setlist plus a Kirk and Rob doodle.
Former bassist Jason Newsted recently spoke to Jeff Kulikowsky of 9 WSYR-TV in Syracuse ahead of his upcoming two-night benefit concert at the city’s Everson Museum of Art this July. Reflecting on his former band, Newsted praised Metallica, calling them “the number one live act from America” and describing their current tour production as “the most fantastical one to date.”
Newsted expressed:
“Yeah, it’s been a while since Metallica played in Syracuse. I was with them there, I think it was ’96, that was the last time we did it. They have been together for 44 years. They have thousands of shows under their belt. I think probably the number one live act from America currently is Metallica. They bring it all every time, and I know that the production this time around is the most fantastical one to date. So, yeah, get your dancing shoes on.”
The M72 North American tour continues with two nights in Toronto this Friday (25th) and wraps up on June 29 in Denver, followed by their long-awaited return to Australia, and New Zealand.
Setlist:
Creeping Death
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Hit The Lights
King Nothing
Lux Æterna
Screaming Suicide
Kirk And Rob Doodle
The Day That Never Comes
Fuel
Orion
Nothing Else Matters
Sad But True
One
Seek & Destroy
Master Of Puppets
Enter Sandman
