Two Australian Metallica fans have been hit with lifetime bans from Perth’s Optus Stadium after climbing a speaker tower during the band’s Nov. 1 show on the M72 World Tour.
Metallica Fans Fined for Trespassing After Tower Climb During Australian Tour
two fans attending a Metallica concert in Perth, Australia, were fined after illegally climbing a telecommunications tower. The incident occurred during the band’s recent Australian tour, which has been marked by surprise covers of Australian musical hits.
According to reporting by Billboard, police seized the pair’s phones, which contained footage of the climb, as part of the trespass investigation.
magistrate Ruth Dineen described the climb as “an incredibly stupid thing to do and a good way to ruin your night out,” adding that what “seemed funny at the time” had escalated into a serious safety issue. Defense lawyer Rachael gemmell characterized the act as “just stupid behavior,” stating the experience had been sobering for the young fans.
Both Rollings and Culbert pleaded guilty to trespassing charges. Rollings was fined $1,000 AUD and ordered to pay $308.80 AUD in court costs, while Culbert received a similar penalty.A motive for the climb was not offered.
Despite the incident, Metallica’s Australian tour has been celebrated for its engagement with local music. The band has delighted fans with surprise covers of Australian songs during their “doodle” segment, including a rendition of John Butler Trio’s “Zebra” in perth.
john butler, currently touring Europe and the U.K., responded to Metallica’s cover of his song by sharing his own bluesy interpretation of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” on Instagram, played on a custom-made Chaturangui slide guitar. He wrote,”@metallica ‘Enter Sandman,’ but make it John Butlery,” and added,”It’s taken me a minute to pull my sh*t together after Metallica covered my song ‘Zebra’ last weekend in Perth/Boorloo… I thought I’d tackle one of their lesser-known tracks. I hope you like it.”
In Adelaide on November 5th, Metallica guitarists kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo mashed up INXS’ “need You Tonight” with The Angels’ “Am I ever Gonna See Your Face Again,” creating a live medley of two Australian rock classics.
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