On March 18, the reigning NBA champs Golden State Warriors, along with their new future-home in San Francisco, Calif., the Chase Center, revealed details for the venue's inaugural event. On Sept. 2, 2019, GRAMMY winners Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony, along with long-time SFS Musical Director Michael Tilson Thomas, will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their collaborative live album, S&M, with a concert at Chase Center.
The S&M^2 concert will include the first live versions of the collaborative versions of the songs since their first inception in 1999. The special one-night event will also cover ground since the last time they linked up, with new renditions of more recent Metallica classics with the added oomph and fervor only a world-renowned symphony could add.
"This is beyond exciting on so many fronts," said Metallica drummer and founding member Lars Ulrich in a press release. "The fact that San Francisco is finally getting a much needed world-class arena, the fact that Metallica get to be part of the opening celebration, the fact that we get to revisit S&M 20 years later, and the fact that we get to share the stage not only with the San Francisco Symphony once again, but with the legend himself, MTT, as he kicks off his final year as music director here in San Francisco. This is mind-blowingly awesome...bring it on ASAP!!!"
The two-disc S&M was released on Nov. 22, 1999, during Metallica's two nights of shows with the S.F.S. in Berkley, Calif. that April. The symphony was conducted by the late Michael Kamen during those events; S&M^2 this September will be conducted by Edwin Outwater.
Following the release of S&M, Metallica, S.F.S. and Kamen earned a GRAMMY win at the 43rd GRAMMY Awards for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the album's live version of "The Call Of Ktulu." The band originally released the song on their sophomore studio album, 1984's Ride The Lightning.
<iframe width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZwJHWHfoQSc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
GRAMMY winner Thomas is serving his final year as the Musical Director of the S.F.S., which he began back in 1993, making him "the longest-tenured music director at any major American orchestra." Together, they have earned many GRAMMY nominations and wins, with the first win for the Thomas-led symphony happening at the 39th GRAMMY Awards for Best Orchestral Performance.
"The San Francisco Symphony is delighted to be a part of the Chase Center's opening week, and to perform once again with Metallica to recreate the magic of the historic S&M concerts," Thomas said. "I'm happy to join with my friends in Metallica to make this an extraordinary only-in-San Francisco music event."
Pre-sales for the show begin on March 19 and open up to the general public on Fri. March 22; more info here.
Metallica Give Back With $1 Million Toward Major Workforce Education Initiative
