Metallica Honour AC/DC and Rose Tattoo at M72 Tour Finale in Sydney
Metallica wrapped up the Australian leg of their highly anticipated M72 World Tour with a memorable concert at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on November 15, 2023. The iconic band paid homage to two of Australia’s most significant rock acts, AC/DC and Rose Tattoo, during their show, which attracted a sold-out crowd of approximately 70,000 fans. This tribute took place during Metallica’s signature “doodle” segment, an interlude where guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo showcase their musical versatility. The duo kicked off the tribute with an instrumental version of AC/DC’s classic “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” before transitioning into Rose Tattoo’s hard-hitting anthem “Nice Boys Don’t Play Rock ’n’ Roll.” The audience erupted in applause, further amplifying the electric atmosphere of the evening.
This special moment was particularly poignant as it coincided with AC/DC’s own performance in Melbourne on the same night, creating a unique cross-city celebration of rock music that spanned generations. Metallica’s Sydney concert was the final show in a five-city Australian run, during which the band honored local musical legends at each stop. In Perth, they performed John Butler Trio’s “Zebra,” while Adelaide was treated to The Angels’ “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.” Melbourne fans enjoyed a nod to The Living End with “Prisoner of Society,” and Brisbane’s audience went wild for The Chats’ punk anthem “Smoko.” This series of tributes not only showcased Metallica’s respect for the Australian music scene but also highlighted their commitment to connecting with local fans.
The concert’s production was as impressive as its setlist, featuring a cutting-edge 360-degree stage design complete with a Snake Pit walkway, robotic cameras, and drones, enhancing the overall concert experience. This innovative visual approach has become a hallmark of the M72 tour, pushing the boundaries of live performances. The timing of Metallica’s Sydney show also coincided with a vibrant period for Australian rock, following Oasis’s recent stadium tour and AC/DC’s return to the stage, marking a significant moment for rock enthusiasts across the country. As Metallica prepares to continue their M72 World Tour in Auckland on November 19 before heading to Qatar, the band leaves a lasting impact on Australian fans, further solidifying their legacy in the rock music landscape.
Metallica
closed out the Australian leg of their
M72 World Tour
with a tribute to two of the country’s most influential rock acts, performing covers of AC/DC and Rose Tattoo during their Nov. 15 concert at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
The gesture came during the band’s signature “doodle” segment — the stripped-back interlude led by guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo — which has become a staple of the current tour.
The pair launched into an instrumental version of AC/DC’s “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” before shifting into Rose Tattoo’s “Nice Boys Don’t Play Rock ’n’ Roll,” drawing loud approval from the sold-out crowd. The moment carried added resonance as AC/DC were performing their own Power Up tour the same night in Melbourne, creating a rare split-city convergence of two generations of rock royalty.
The Sydney show capped a five-city Australian run in which Metallica incorporated local tributes at every stop. In Perth on Nov. 1, Hammett and Trujillo performed
John Butler Trio’s “Zebra.”
Adelaide received a rendition of The Angels’ “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again,” while Melbourne fans heard a nod to The Living End’s “Prisoner of Society” with hints of INXS’ “Don’t Change.” Brisbane’s Nov. 12 show featured The Chats’ punk anthem “Smoko,” a moment that sent the audience into full-throttle chaos.
Metallica performed to roughly 70,000 fans in Sydney, supported by Evanescence and Suicidal Tendencies. Their 360-degree stage design once again featured the Snake Pit walkway, robotic cameras and drones — a production approach that has defined the visual identity of the M72 tour and pushed the stadium experience into new territory.
The timing of the show aligned with a major period for Australian rock audiences. Oasis had wrapped their Australian stadium run one week earlier, and AC/DC’s return created back-to-back landmark moments for fans across the country.
Next, Metallica will continue the M72 World Tour in Auckland on Nov. 19 before heading to Qatar.
