Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted has shared his enthusiastic support for the band’s recently announced residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. During a May 12 appearance on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk,” Jason Newsted discussed the technical potential of the venue and his interest in seeing his former bandmates take the stage in such a unique environment.
When asked if he had visited the Sphere yet and if he would be interested in attending the Metallica shows, Jason Newsted noted his fascination with the high-tech setting.
“I haven’t seen anything there yet. It fascinates me. I think that it’s gonna be great for them. That would be a really killer thing, ’cause they obviously have some production people that are pretty on point. You see what’s gone on the last however many years they carried that flippin’ thing around the world, that black-and-yellow thing [stage production for the ‘M72‘ tour]. Amazing, just amazing. So you can only imagine what their people are gonna come up with for that scenario, for that setting,” Newsted said (via Blabbermouth).
He further commented on the benefits of a stationary residency, which allows a band to refine their performance and visual presentation without the logistical pressures of daily travel.
“I am definitely open to seeing any band there,” Jason continued. “I’d love to see The Eagles there. I’d love to see Metallica there, whomever. Yeah, I think it’s an incredible opportunity. I’m very happy for them… What platform, really from a different planet, they’re gonna be able to work with, especially because you got yourself planted for a minute. You don’t gotta pick up the gig at the end of the gig, take it to the next town. You gotta, I think, be able to establish some s**t, learn from that first show, learn from that show, learn from that, and by the time the sixth one comes… I think it’s just gonna be — they’re all gonna be great, but you know what I’m saying. They’re gonna learn from each [show], figure out exactly how it’s gonna work, and they’ll adapt to it. It’s gonna be amazing, I’m sure. Yeah, killer, man. Killer for them. And the tickets sold in the blink of an eye, and it’s just wonderful. It’s wonderful to see. It really is.”
Metallica’s residency, titled “Life Burns Faster,” is set to begin in early October. The engagement was significantly expanded in March, tripling the original number of shows to a total of 24 dates extending into 2027.
The residency will maintain the “No Repeat Weekend” tradition established during the “M72 World Tour“. This format ensures that fans attending both the Thursday and Saturday performances in a single weekend will see two completely different setlists.
The Sphere, a 17,600-capacity venue, has quickly become a premier destination for immersive concert experiences. It features the world’s highest-resolution LED screen and an advanced audio system powered by Holoplot. Since its opening in September 2023, it has hosted major residencies from artists including U2, Phish, Dead & Company, and The Eagles.
Metallica “Life Burns Faster” Sphere Residency Dates:
- October 01 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- October 03 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- October 08 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- October 10 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- October 15 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- October 17 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- October 22 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- October 24 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- October 29 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- October 31 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- November 05 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- November 07 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- January 28 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- January 30 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- February 04 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- February 06 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- February 18 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- February 20 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- February 25 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- February 27 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- March 04 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- March 06 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- March 11 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
- March 13 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
Jason Newsted, who was a member of Metallica from 1986 until 2001, was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2009 alongside Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, and his successor, Robert Trujillo.
During the same interview with Dean Delray on “Let There Be Talk” podcast where he disclosed his private 2025 battle with throat cancer, Jason opened up about his intense substance abuse issues at the turn of the millennium and the real reason he left the band.
Addressing the long-standing rumor that he quit specifically because the band rejected his side project Echobrain, Jason Newsted offered the following explanation:
“One thing I want to straighten out, or just comment on.. the Echobrain thing. That was another project that I took to a certain level. I had had 40 projects in the Chophouse to a level of recording, composition, rehearsal, that kind of thing. This one was just more promising, and I took it to a different place. But it’s not the reason I left Metallica.”
He continued: “The reason I left Metallica is because I was a horrible addict. I was way up against myself, and if I didn’t get some kind of help, I was going to die. And so I just said, ‘You guys, can I have a minute? Please give me a minute.’ And they said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘I would rather live than be in your band. I love being in your band. I think it’s kind of obvious. I wear your shirt every f**king night.’ So it’s like, you know, ‘I wear our shirt every night. I fly my colors every night. I meet every f**king person that wants to meet and represent us for all the fans every f**king night. Don’t tell me I’m not committed. Don’t tell me I’m not loyal. Don’t tell me. I’m always the first one in and last one out. I’m not saying the words. It’s f**king history.’ It’s real.”
“You can’t give me that minute to get my head straight again. Then I have to go. Not that I don’t love you, and certainly not that I’m not committed to this band.”
Continuing on the topic, he further downplayed the idea that the Echobrain pushback was the ultimate dealbreaker, emphasizing that taking a step back to heal was his absolute priority.
“Echobrain was a thing that I ventured into, our subject for the day, our theme for the day: Adventuring, discovering new things. Giving yourself a chance to see what’s in there. When you do a painting, step back from it and go, ‘I didn’t know that I had that in me.’ You know? That’s the best reward of all, no matter if somebody buys it or not, I don’t give a s**t. It’s about, the song comes out and I’m like, ‘Dude I have that in me? Where the f**k did that come from?’ That’s the riches.”
“So, if you can’t give me a minute to get myself to what I thought you appreciated me for, then [I’m gone.] But it’s not because of Echobrain. It’s just that’s the music that was happening at the time.”
