Metallica Frontman Calls Out Politicized Performances
James Hetfield criticizes artists using concerts to push political agendas, sticking to music and fan connection.
2 min read
Metallica frontman James Hetfield took a moment during his October 10 concert at The Sphere in Las Vegas to reassure fans that the band would not use the stage to lecture them on political issues. Instead, he focused on expressing gratitude for their journey to the show.
“Unless you live in Vegas, you’ve come a long way to spend some time with Metallica. We’re grateful for that — your travels, the money you spend, the time it took, thanks for coming to celebrate with us,” Hetfield said.
Rejecting Politicized Performances
He then turned his attention to a growing trend among artists who have used their platforms to promote political causes or agendas. Hetfield made it clear that Metallica would not follow that path.
“I just gotta say, Metallica is not here, like some other entertainers, to influence you with their bullsh*t, okay? We are here … no bullsh*t … we’re here to forget about all the outside sh*t, okay? Metallica’s agenda is love, energy, and heavy music, baby!” he declared.
Responses to Politicized Acts
Some fans interpreted Hetfield’s comments as a jab at rapper Macklemore, whose anti-Israel rhetoric disrupted Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour. Sheeran was left without his opening acts and even his backup band after promoters dropped Macklemore.
Others believed he was referring to Paramore singer Hayley Williams, who shouted pro-Palestinian slogans during her show in Chula Vista, CA. In response, the Department of Homeland Security told Fox News that Williams should thank ICE agents for keeping her safe.
“America is grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe. We suggest Ms. Williams to thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice,” a DHS spokesman said. Williams, however, responded with a defiant post on Instagram: “And may I suggest all Nazi b*tches suck on my fat d*ck.”
Staying Neutral
Hetfield has long advocated for keeping politics out of music. In a 2016 interview with the BBC, he spoke about the polarization in the United States and the need to find balance.
“There’s a lot of polarization going on in the [United] States, and I see it other places as well. But it just seems like you have to get more extreme to balance out the other extreme,” he said. “We’ve got to find some balance in the middle here somewhere. We stay away from politics, from religion. That just seems to polarize people even more. We all have our own beliefs but, at the end of the day, we’re trying to connect with people and it seems like political views don’t do that as much as music does.”
Source: Daily Wire
