Metallica rocked the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, N.Y., on Saturday night. The band played to a packed stadium of fans. They broke the Dome’s previous concert attendance record set in 1982.
The group performed on a stage set up on the football field’s 50-yard line. This allowed fans to fill seats around the entire stadium. Thousands more stood on the floor around the stage and inside the “snake pit.”
An SU official confirmed Metallica broke the previous Dome concert attendance record of 47,319.
That record was set in 1982. Final numbers for Saturday’s show were not immediately available. But the official said it was a new record.
The concert was Metallica’s first time playing at the Dome. It was also their first Syracuse show since 1996. The band features James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo, and Kirk Hammett.
Metallica is one of the best-selling music acts of all time. They have sold more than 125 million albums worldwide. The band thrilled fans with hits like “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Nothing Else Matters,” and “Master of Puppets.” Opening acts Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies also gave electrifying performances.
Metallica sets Dome attendance record
The concert drew a diverse crowd of fans from all over. Attendees of all ages waited for hours in line to get the best spots.
One young boy named Reid attended with his father. He discovered Metallica through the video game Fortnite. After enjoying their music, he introduced it to his dad.
This sparked a shared passion for the band. The fanbase included both new listeners and lifelong followers. Theresa Hopkins, a dedicated fan, remembered missing a Metallica concert as a teenager when she was grounded.
Decades later, she finally fulfilled her dream of seeing them live. The Syracuse show kicked off Metallica’s 2025 “M72” North American tour. The tour runs through June 29th in Denver.
It features a rotating lineup of opening acts like Pantera, Limp Bizkit, Suicidal Tendencies, and Ice Nine Kills. The band will play two unique sets over two nights in certain cities. They will also play one-night-only shows in others, including Syracuse.
The tour will feature a massive in-the-round stage setup. Metallica has also partnered with the Red Cross for blood donation events along the route.
