More than 50,000 fans are heading to Marvel Stadium tonight for Metallica’s M72 World Tour stop in Melbourne. After massive shows in Perth and Adelaide, this feels like one of those nights people will be talking about for years.
The Melbourne show is the third stop on Metallica’s Australian run, following the Perth opener where two fans were arrested after climbing a sound tower mid-set, and the Adelaide concert that saw Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo drop a mash-up of INXS’s ‘Need You Tonight’ and The Angels’ ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again’. If that pattern continues, Melbourne might just get its own local moment tonight.
Set Times and Support Acts for Metallica in Melbourne
Gates open at 5:00 pm, with the first support act kicking off at 6:00 pm. Metallica are expected to hit the stage around 8:30 pm and play through until roughly 11:00 pm.
The Playing times have not been officially announced but are expected as below:
6pm: Suicidal Tendencies
7pm: Evanescence
8:30pm: Metallica
Support tonight comes from Evanescence and Suicidal Tendencies, two bands more than capable of setting the pace for what’s about to be one of Melbourne’s biggest rock nights of the year. It’s been more than a decade since Victoria last hosted Metallica at full stadium strength, and anticipation has been building for months.
Getting to Marvel Stadium: Trains, Trams and Parking
Marvel Stadium sits right beside Southern Cross Station, making public transport the easiest way to get there and back. Extra train services are running on the Mernda, Glen Waverley, Sunbury and Craigieburn lines. Trams to Docklands include routes 30, 86, 70, 75, 96 and 48, and bus routes 232, 235, 302, 304, 905, 906 and 907 also stop nearby.
Driving is possible but not ideal. Parking is limited and exits can get messy once the crowd spills out. If you’re driving, use the Bourke Street or Wurundjeri Way entries, and check for any Eastern Freeway or tunnel closures before heading in. Marvel recommends pre-booking parking or skipping the car entirely and jumping on a train instead.
What We’ve Seen So Far on Metallica’s Australian Tour
Every city so far has delivered its own twist. Perth kicked off with a John Butler Trio cover of ‘Zebra’ in the Kirk and Rob doodle, and of course the now-infamous sound-tower stunt that had WA Police called to the scene. Adelaide followed with that local nod to The Angels, turning a quick jam into a stadium-wide singalong.
These local touches have become one of the most talked-about parts of the M72 World Tour, adding personality and hometown flavour to a show that’s already enormous. Fans are already throwing around predictions for Melbourne’s doodle moment — AC/DC, The Living End or maybe even Cold Chisel.
Adelaide Setlist
What to Expect at Tonight’s Show
Expect two hours of thunder, pyrotechnics and Metallica’s trademark wall of sound. The set will likely run through Master of Puppets, Lux Æterna, One and plenty from 72 Seasons.
We’ll have full photos and the complete setlist once the lights go down. For ongoing coverage from the Australian leg of the M72 World Tour, visit Blunt’s Metallica tag page.
Watch: Metallica ‘One’ Intro Perth
PHOTOS: Crowd shots from Perth
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