James Hetfield says Metallica concerts are about music, not politics
James Hetfield, frontman of Metallica, told the audience at the Las Vegas Sphere on Saturday night that the band does not use its concerts to promote political views and urged other entertainers to keep music separate from politics.
He thanked fans for traveling to the show, saying, "Unless you live in Vegas, you've come a long way to spend some time with Metallica… we're grateful for that – your travels, the money you spend, the time it took, thanks for coming to celebrate with us."
"I just gotta say, Metallica is not here, like some other entertainers, to influence you with their **, OK? We are here …no …we're here to forget about all the outside ****, OK? Metallica's agenda is love, energy and heavy music, baby!"
The comments add to a growing conversation about politics on stage, highlighted by recent controversies involving other artists. Last month, rapper Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran's "Loop Tour" after repeatedly performing a pro‑Palestinian song, prompting a wave of responses from other performers and promoters. Other musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong and Kacey Musgraves, have also used concerts to voice political opinions.
Hetfield’s stance is not new. In a 2016 BBC interview, he explained that Metallica steers clear of divisive topics, and in a 2017 interview with Chilean newspaper La Tercera, he said he hates politics and prefers to connect people with music. Bandmate Lars Ulrich has similarly kept political discussion offstage, noting he has never had a political conversation with Hetfield during their decades together.
Metallica is currently in the middle of its 24‑show "Life Burns Faster" residency at the Sphere, which began on October 1 and runs through March 13 2027. Hetfield’s remarks underscore the band’s long‑standing policy of focusing on love, energy and heavy music rather than political commentary.
The debate over whether entertainers should address politics is likely to continue, especially as more artists use high‑profile platforms to share their views. Metallica’s message serves as a reminder that some performers still prioritize a purely musical experience for their audiences.
