Metallica rolled into Adelaide Oval on November 5, 2025, and while the setlist kept plenty of the big hitters, there were enough changes from Perth to make it worth paying attention.
The band also kept up their new habit of throwing in a local nod, which by now feels like a running theme across the Australian leg of the tour.
A Quirky Mid-Set Moment
By Adelaide, the Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo “doodle” had already become a talking point after Perth. Fans were expecting another local reference, and that’s exactly what they got.
Midway through the set, the pair launched into INXS’s ‘Need You Tonight’ blended with The Angels’ ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again’, giving Adelaide its turn in the spotlight. It wasn’t a shock this time, but it confirmed the theory that Metallica are tailoring these jams to each city they play.
Perth’s show featured Budgie’s ‘Crash Course in Brain Surgery’ and John Butler Trio’s ‘Zebra’, and now Adelaide had its own moment, tipping the hat to The Angels’ Adelaide roots. It’s a small touch, but it’s smart. The crowd caught on immediately.
What Changed From Perth
The Adelaide set leaned a little more toward mid-era Metallica. Perth got Holier Than Thou, The Unforgiven and Wherever I May Roam, while Adelaide swapped in Leper Messiah and King Nothing. The backbone of the show stayed the same with Moth Into Flame, Lux Æterna and Seek & Destroy still locked in.
It’s just enough variety to make each night feel like its own thing, which is no small task for a band with this much ground to cover.
The Fans Have Spoken
When I posted the Perth setlist on my Facebook page, the comment section lit up. More than 400 fans jumped in, throwing out opinions, wish lists and set tweaks.
The main message was clear: people want more deep cuts. The most requested songs were Fade to Black, Battery, Blackened, Orion, The Four Horsemen, Disposable Heroes and Harvester of Sorrow. Some fans called out the irony of the M72 Tour only featuring one song from 72 Seasons, while others said they’d trade a few Black Album tracks for some Justice-era aggression.
The doodle split opinion too. Some loved the local covers, others thought the slot would be better used for another Metallica song.
“Replace the doodle with Sanitarium and Whiplash and it’s a 10/10 setlist.”
“Too much Black Album. Give us Battery and Orion.”
Even with the debate, most fans agreed both Perth and Adelaide were massive shows that hit all the right marks.
The Full Adelaide Setlist
Here’s how the Adelaide show played out:
- Creeping Death
- For Whom the Bell Tolls
- Leper Messiah
- King Nothing
- Fade to Black
- Fuel
- Kirk & Rob Doodle (INXS – ‘Need You Tonight’ / The Angels – ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again’)
- The Day That Never Comes
- Moth Into Flame
- Sad But True
- Nothing Else Matters
- Seek & Destroy
- Lux Æterna
- Master of Puppets
- One
- Enter Sandman
What’s Next
With Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane still to come, fans are already placing bets on what hometown songs might appear next. Melbourne could get AC/DC or The Living End, Sydney might see a nod to Cold Chisel or Midnight Oil, and Brisbane could get something from Powderfinger or Violent Soho.
Whatever happens, Metallica’s Australian run isn’t just another greatest hits lap. It feels more like a thank you to the scenes that grew up on their records, and the crowds that still scream every lyric back at them decades later.
Upcoming M72 Tour Dates in Australia and New Zealand
- Nov 8, 2025 – Melbourne, VIC (Marvel Stadium)
- Nov 12, 2025 – Brisbane, QLD (Suncorp Stadium)
- Nov 15, 2025 – Sydney, NSW (Accor Stadium)
- Nov 19, 2025 – Auckland, NZ (Eden Park)
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