#Metallica to play first 2020 concert for ‘Encore Drive-In’ series

Metallica is gearing up for a “drive-in” concert.
Metallica/Twitter

The heavy metal band announced Monday that it will be hitting the stage for the first time this year in a one-night performance airing exclusively at drive-in theaters Aug. 29.

The rock legends will perform a full set to an empty theater, but the performance will be broadcast across the US and Canada as part of the Encore Drive-In Nights series.

Other musical heavyweights like Blake Shelton, 44, and Gwen Stefani, 50, already participated in the series last month.

“As many of you know, we’ve not played together in quite some time — actually since the ‘S&M2′ concerts last September,” drummer Lars Ulrich, 56, said in a video posted on Twitter and Instagram. “But that’s all changing now as we’re gearing up to record a live show especially for you, just for you.”

The band will film the show at a secret location close to their headquarters in Northern California.

The full-length concert will also feature found footage of Metallica from throughout its four decades of making music. Canadian rock band Three Days Grace will open for Metallica.

Tickets are going for $115 per vehicle, which can include up to 6 people, and will go on sale to the general public August 14 at noon local venue time. Fifth Members (i.e. fan clubbers) can snag a ticket on Aug. 12 during pre-sale.

The price tag also includes four downloads of Metallica’s live album “S&M2,” which features the band collaborating with the San Francisco Symphony for the second time after their initial “S&M” release in 1999.

In the video teasing their performance, Metallica members can be seen playing at a distance while wearing masks.

Drive-in experiences have gained major steam during the coronavirus outbreak since groups can remain self contained and engage in minimal contact with staff. Employees who do work at the drive-in venues wear appropriate personal protective equipment, ticketing and payments are done digitally and cars are distanced at least six feet apart.