Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Metallica Fans Pack Lane Stadium For 2025 Tour

James Hetfield of Metallica performs with band members on stage during their concert in Madrid, Spain, 12 July 2024. Metallica concert in Madrid, Spain - 12 Jul 2024
Photo by Mariscal/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (14584152b)

Thousands of dedicated fans flooded Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium on the night of May 7, 2025, as ongoing excitement highlighted the stop in Blacksburg on Metallica's M72 World Tour. This marked a significant occasion for both the band and Virginia Tech, uniting a rich tradition with live music spectacle. For over two decades, “Enter Sandman” has been the rallying call as Virginia Tech's Hokies storm the football field, a tradition met with the historic opportunity to witness Metallica perform the very tune live in the stadium where its echoes often sparked sporting adrenaline.

Metallica, known for their electrifying performances, took to the stage amidst tumultuous applause from more than 70,000 attendees. The convergence at Lane Stadium was a long-awaited dream for both the university and the band, who have long acknowledged the song's significance to the Hokie community. The connection between the band and Virginia Tech even prompted a nod from Metallica to the legendary coach Frank Beamer years ago, further cementing their bond with the institution. Before the concert, the band received special jerseys from Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry, adding a personalized touch to the evening.

This concert was particularly poignant as it coincided with graduation festivities at Virginia Tech, providing a memorable backdrop for students on the cusp of embarking on new chapters. For many, this concert symbolized a culmination of years of tradition and a celebration before their collegiate journey came to a close. Graduate Jackson Brothers expressed a bittersweet sentiment, emphasizing the concert's importance as a hallmark of his university experience before he transitioned into the next phase of life. Such personal reflections and communal joy echoed throughout the stands, bringing alumni, students, and fans together in emotional harmony.

The performance was not just a night of nostalgia for students and alumni but a testament to the band's enduring legacy in rock music. Metallica ensured the set was comprehensive, featuring not only “Enter Sandman” but also a collection of their catalog that reverberated through the stadium. Fans like Shane Cook and Jack Horner shared anticipatory joy and reverence for the live performance, eager to experience the song in person—a sentiment eagerly captured by media outlets and concert-goers alike.

Aside from stirring the crowd emotionally, the concert also threatened to physically shake the stadium's foundations, with attendees’ reactions reportedly registering on the Richter scale. This comparison underscores the performance's raw power and the enthusiasm it incited among attendees. The concert met such high anticipations that it was likened to a life-altering experience for fans in attendance. It was reported that the excitement was palpable hours before Metallica took the stage, with fans tailgating and engaging in pre-concert festivities to gear up for the night's events.

Metallica's appearance at Lane Stadium was not merely a performance but a significant landmark in the tour and university history—an event where music and varsity tradition melded into a singular celebration of sound, spirit, and solidarity. This bonding of athletic camaraderie and rock music underscores the unique cultural fabric that events like these weave into the collective memory of fans and institutions. As the notes of “Enter Sandman” rang through Lane Stadium, it wasn't just the Hokies' anthem that played; it was the anthem of a shared legacy, resonating with the heartbeats of those who have come to call “Enter Sandman” their personal rally cry.

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

Carlos Santana Santana in Concert, Nashville, FirstBank Amphitheater, Franklin, USA - 29 Sep 2021

Carlos Santana Collabs With Grupo Frontera on Single Release

Carlos Santana, a rock icon with a career spanning decades, has formed a remarkable collaboration with Grupo Frontera, a prominent…

eard ZZ Top in concert at Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, Sterling Heights, USA - 08 Sep 2019

ZZ Top Announces Return of Frank Beard

Frank Beard, the dynamic drummer of ZZ Top, is back in the thick of action with the band after a…

Brian Johnson and Angus Young of AC/DC perform at the BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida, USA - 20 Dec 2008 AC/DC in concert, BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida, USA - 23 Dec 2008

AC/DC Ends North American Tour in Ohio

Cleveland was the closing chapter for AC/DC’s North American “Power Up” tour, proving once again that the legendary rock band…

Electric Prunes Various

James Lowe of The Electric Prunes Dies at 82

The world of psychedelic rock mourns the loss of James Lowe, the iconic lead singer and co-founder of the Electric…

Arejay Hale, Lzzy Hale of Halestorm performs at the Boardwalk Rock Festival on May 17, 2025 in Ocean City, Maryland Halestorm performs at the Boardwalk Rock Festival on May 17, 2025 in Ocean City, Maryland, MD, USA - 17 May 2025

Halestorm Reveals Title Track ‘Everest’

Halestorm, the GRAMMY Award-winning hard rock band, is making waves in the music scene with the reveal of “Everest,” the…

Evanescence - Amy Lee Download Festival, Day 2, Donington Park, UK - 09 Jun 2023

Amy Lee of Evanescence & Halsey Release Music Video

Halsey and Amy Lee of Evanescence have joined forces to create a sensational new track, “Hand That Feeds,” which is…

Thom Yorke of The Smile Festival d'ete de Quebec, Day 9, Quebec City, Canada - 14 Jul 2023

Thom Yorke Speaks Out On Palestine & Israel Conflict

Thom Yorke, the frontman of Radiohead and The Smile, has made a public statement addressing the ongoing Israel and Palestine…

Taylor Swift wearing Dior arrives at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards held at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York, United States. 2024 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals, Ubs Arena, Elmont, New York, United States - 11 Sep 2024

Taylor Swift Regains Rights of Her Master Recordings

In a landmark move in the music industry, Taylor Swift has regained control over her master recordings. This comes after…

Goo Goo Dolls lead vocalist John Rzeznick performs at the 2025 Stagecoach Music Festival on Sunday, April 27, 2025 in Indio, CA. Stagecoach 2025 , Los Angeles, California, USA - 27 Apr 2025

Goo Goo Dolls Played at Demi Lovato’s Wedding

In a celebration as heartfelt as it was glamorous, pop star Demi Lovato tied the knot with musician Jordan “Jutes”…