James Hetfield criticizes political entertainers
The gist
James Hetfield told a Las Vegas crowd Metallica isn't there to "influence you with their bullshit."
The remark lands in an ongoing fight over politics at concerts.
How it unfolded
- Oct 10, 2026At Metallica's Sphere show in Las Vegas, James Hetfield said Metallica is not there, "like some other... entertainers, to influence you with their bullshit," adding that the band's agenda is "love, energy, and heavy music."
- Oct 12, 2026Fox News published an article on Hetfield criticizing performers who turn concerts political; Stereogum reported the remarks and quoted them in full.
- Oct 13, 2026AOL ran an article titled "Metallica's agenda is love, energy and heavy music," and Israel Hayom English posted that Hetfield criticized entertainers who use concerts to push political agendas.