Metallica Announce 40th Anniversary Takeover Of San Francisco

Metallica have announced a takeover of San Francisco to coincide with their upcoming 40th anniversary shows in the city.

The legendary metal band, who formed back in 1981, are scheduled to perform two celebratory headline concerts at San Fran’s Chase Center arena next month, on 17 and 19 December.

Yesterday, James Hetfield and company outlined plans to “take over the city of San Francisco” between December 16-19 with a series of special events. Various Metallica-related acts will perform club shows, while fans can also visit a gallery event, book signings, film screenings and more.

Metallica said in a statement: “We’re just one short month away from celebrating 40 years together, and we can’t wait to welcome fans from around the world to our hometown! When we first told you about the two shows at Chase Center on December 17 and 19, we also promised a full weekend of ‘Tallica family vibes with curated live music, Blackened Whiskey tastings, and other events starting the night before the first show. Well… we’re back with all the details!”

White Reaper, who contributed to The Metallica Blacklist, will take to the stage at August Hall on December 16 along with Taipei Houston (whose line-up includes Lars Ulrich‘s two sons, Layne and Myles Ulrich).

The following day (December 17), The Wedding Band – the covers group featuring Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo – are set to perform at The Fillmore with Goodnight, Texas and Bastardane.

Taipei Houston will play a second gig on December 18, appearing at The Chapel alongside Trujillo’s son Tye’s band OTTTO. Bastardane are also on the bill. The Bimbo’s 365 venue, meanwhile, will host three Metallica tribute acts – Damage Inc., Motorbreath and Sandman – while Kamasi Washington performs at August Hall.

Elsewhere in Metallica news, the band recently announced the rescheduled dates for their COVID-delayed South American tour, which is due to kick off in April.

“For those of you who have hung in there with us over the last 18 months since the original shows were supposed to happen, thank you for your tremendous patience!” the band wrote in a statement. “We truly cannot wait to finally visit South America for the first time in almost five years.”

Buy or stream the 30th anniversary edition of Metallica’s ‘The Black Album’.