Metallica are back in New Zealand for the first time in 15 years, taking over Auckland’s Eden Park this Wednesday, 19 November.

They’re gonna be joined by Suicidal Tendencies and Evanescence, and are set to deliver us an epic mid-week gig. If you’re heading along, here’s everything you need to know before walking through the gates.

Set Times

Doors open at 4.30pm, and Suicidal Tendencies take the stage at 5.30pm.

We don’t have the confirmed set times for Evanescence and Metallica, but Australia’s shows give us a decent blueprint. 

According to setlist.fm, Metallica have been starting anywhere from 8pm to 8.45pm. Evanescence played at 7pm in Sydney and Melbourne, and 6.30pm in Brisbane. We reckon plan for Evanescence to be on at 6.30, and Metallica for 8pm.

The Rock Official Metallica Pre-Party

No plans locked in before the gig? Join us for a couple cans at The Morningside Tavern and Morningside Glasshouse for our official Metallica pre-party.

Our announcers will be there, plus live entertainment and free rock merch. Rock up from 2pm, first in first served. We’d recommend getting there earlier rather than later.

Anyone can rock up, but those under 18 will need to be with an adult. 

Getting to and from The Gig

Your event ticket covers bus and train travel. Show it to the driver on the way there and on the way home, and you’re sorted.

Buses will run every 15 to 20 minutes from the city centre and Newmarket, with special event buses running from the city and the north shore. After the gig, return buses will run for one hour.

Trains from Waitematā Station to Eden Park will be running every 10 to 20 minutes, and extra event trains will roll out once the show wraps. Full details are on AT’s site.

If you’re planning on catching an uber in, drop-off/pick-up locations are located on Dominion Road between Bellwood Avenue and Walters Road and on Morningside Drive.

Road closures and parking restrictions will be in place on the day. All info on that here.

Merch

If you’re keen to grab merch before the madness begins, Metallica’s Official M72 Auckland Pop Up Shop is running at Brad’s Warehouse, 9 to 11 Durham Lane, Auckland Central. 

Open hours:

• Tuesday 18 November, 8.30am to 8.30pm

• Wednesday 19 November, 8.30am to 8.30pm

• Thursday 20 November, 8.30am to 6pm

If you can’t make the pop up, merch stands will be set up outside Eden Park from 12pm on show day, plus more inside once gates open.

That should cover off everything. 

It’s gonna be loud, it’s gonna be packed, and it’s definitely going to be one of those nights where we all wake up on Thursday sounding like we’ve swallowed gravel. Look after those around you and have a bloody good time. 

Oooh yeah-eh!