They were riding bikes – some with motors, some without - and jumping around in the swimming pool, and of course enjoying a killer BBQ. Intimate, yet at the same time, total sensory overload!Īlso while in Detroit, James & Rob hung out at their friend Kid Rock's ranch. Finally, to close out the last day of rehearsals, the band invited a few hundred contest winners and fan club members for a private show at the 60,000-seat Pontiac Silverdome. It also gave the many riggers and stagehands valuable practice at setting up and tearing down the enormous stages, which has to happen like clockwork in order for the tour to be successful. In reality, it allowed the various lighting, pyro, and sound crews to practice and coordinate what would happen during the actual shows.

On the first day, we had both complete stages set up opposite one another in the dome, which might have led the casual onlooker to think a giant 'battle of the bands' was on the way.

This rehearsal was very unique, even for Metallica. To get warmed up, Metallica spent a few days rehearsing for the tour in Detroit at the Pontiac Silverdome. Throw in 36 tour busses and 50+ 18-wheelers, and you've got yourself a multi-million dollar summer entertainment package! We have three different stages, with six different crews: one Universal crew that goes to all of the shows, primarily traveling on a chartered jet (the band's personal techs, etc) two identical 'Black' and 'Blue' crews that leapfrog their way around the country, looking over the stage setup at alternating shows and finally, three 'steel' crews who actually arrive days in advance of each gig to build the stages themselves. Metallica alone has some 250 people working for them on this tour. If you're lucky enough to make it to the Rubber Room, you can enjoy plenty of food, drinks, air hockey, ping pong, and video games.Ī lot of people probably don't realize how much it takes to get a huge tour like this rolling its way around North America. Backstage, Metallica has set up a special hangout for everyone, called the Rubber Room. The vibe between the bands is great and you always see members of other bands checking out each others' show. It's a long day, but it's a lot of quality.' said James about the tour and the lineup. The fans are getting their money's worth - there are a lot of worn-out fans when we go on. Deftones and Mudvayne.they have a different style, we're getting heavy music together. The other so-called headliners, Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit, are the best at what they do in their worlds. I hope - and think - that we have done that. 'We want Summer Sanitarium to be the best stuff that's out there now.

Summer sanitarium 2003 shirt