Download Festival 2023 – Saturday. When this MetalTalk scribe first saw Metallica on the hallowed grounds of Donington Park thirty-eight years ago, neither he nor they themselves could have imagined that they now hold the record for the most appearances at this site (ten).
The Metal Titans have worked tirelessly to achieve those lofty heights, though and when your audience stretches as far as the eye can see, they know they’re doing something right.
Having played the first of their two headline sets a couple of days ago with some absolutely huge numbers, the big question was what would be performed tonight. With a catalogue that spans four decades, there were never going to be any issues, though and old classics mixed easily with tracks from 72 Seasons.
Harking back from that first appearance, the opening Whiplash sounded as brutal as ever, the following For Whom The Bell Tolls a monster. New numbers If Darkness Had A Son and You Must Burn! show that the fire has been stoked up to roaring point again.
Welcome Home (Sanitarium) is a sinister delight and Unforgiven glorious, Kirk Hammett’s stinging solo Heavy Metal heaven. With Dad Jokes from James Hetfield and mile-wide grins from Robert Trujillo and Lars Ulrich, the atmosphere onstage was good-natured and celebratory.
A feral tear through Battery and the bounce of Whisky In The Jar saw bodies lost in reckless abandon. With the climax of One and Enter Sandman seeing a sea of upraised mobile phones recording every second.
When Hetfield announces, “We are Metallica…and so are you,” you know the family blood runs deep.
Metallica’s M72 World Tour, live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington TX, comes to cinemas worldwide on 18 and 20 August via Trafalgar Releasing. Tickets on sale now at Metallica.film.
Metallica – Saturday Setlist
Whiplash
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Ride the Lightning
Until It Sleeps
72 Seasons
If Darkness Had a Son
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
You Must Burn!
The Call of Ktulu
The Unforgiven
Wherever I May Roam
Moth Into Flame
Battery
Whiskey in the Jar
One
Enter Sandman
Take Part: Are you at Download this year? Who are you looking forward to see? Want to get in touch and tell us how it’s going? Email MetalTalk Editor Steve Ritchie to tell us how it’s going for you. Download@MetalTalk.net.
Download Festival 2023
Download Festival 2023 was a record breaking year.
MetalTalk Download 2023 coverage can be found at MetalTalk.net/tag/download-2023
Download 2023 will see the festival celebrate its 20th anniversary with an additional day, meaning four days of live music in total.
This year’s MetalTalk team is:
Photography:
