After more than 40 years, Metallica still plays hard, loud and fast. But, the headbanging days may have faded for legions of fans that have aged with the band.

Playing to a near-capacity crowd at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Friday, the angry angst of young men (and women) matured into a more subdued audience. The hair was grayer, and fans may have been more sober.

Stadium management told GV Wire that shows on Friday and Sunday drew 55,000 each night. The stadium record is 80,000 an Ed Sheeran concert in 2023.

Yes, there was a small mosh pit on the floor — which seemed to be more of a swirling dance than a demolition derby — but fans seemed to be nodding and singing along with arguably the greatest heavy metal band of all time.

While the air of the stadium still crept with legalized herbs, there were no fights visible, no drunken escapades, or need for security intervention.

Lead singer James Hetfield acknowledged that the band was “old,” but still teased the crowd about kids attending the concert with Mom and Dad.

“I would never be caught dead at a concert with my parents,” Hetfield said.

‘No Repeat’ Weekend

The Friday show was the first half of a two-show set at the home for the 49ers, part of Metallica’s 20-date 2025 72 World Tour. Metallica promised a “no repeat” song set for the shows Friday and Sunday.

Thus the first part of Friday’s concert left a mainstream Metallica fan searching their playlist. The only familiar song was “King Nothing.”

Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo engaged in a mid-set guitar duo that almost seemed like a jam session.

Metallica led the backend of the two-hour, no-intermission show with “Nothing Else Matters.” Classic Metallica flowed the rest of the night: “Sad But True,” “Fuel,” “Battery,” “Seek and Destroy,” and the closer, “Master of Puppets.”

A Ring Stage

Metallica played on a circular stage around what would be the 50-yard line. The stage was actually a ring, with fans buying standing-room-only floor tickets (listed for more than $200 a pop). Concert promoters dubbed the inner ring “The Snake Pit.”

The floor of the stadium featured eight giant structures, best described as giant water-tower looking apparatuses that featured video displays and lights. Metallica did not use the stadium lights, nor the main video boards.

The ring stage allowed Metallica to spread out or huddle close together. The band rotated to make sure every section of the stadium received facetime with Hetfield, Hammett, Trujillo and drummer Lars Ulrich.

Ulrich’s drum set rotated along the stage. After every few songs, the lights would go dark to allow the crew to move the drums along.