Vicarious Aquarius

Wednesday 15 September

The rules of this social experiement aren't set in stone. They're fluid; like water flowing in and out of a terracotta urn, and I should know plenty about that because I'm an aquarian, the horoscopic water carrier. Very occasionally I spill a drop or two as well. Like when I signed up to participate in this critically acclaimed blog and then realised I might have to experience a concert or two vicariously.

Metallica played at Rod Laver Arena last night and this single event whittled a weekly Reality Street dinner down markedly. It seemed the return of the best aquarian girl born of the 1980s on the planet, played second fiddle to the best metal band born of the 1980s. Not only did a coterie exclusively of men miss Charlie's homecoming, they missed an antipasto platter last seen in 1995, delicious lemon, chilli and smoked trout pasta and potatoes roasted in Costco duck fat. Rock on that.

Nevertheless I've got back sufficient feedback, and read probably the best online heraldsun.com.au article ever, not least because it included statements such as, 'the unbridled manlove in the room was extraordinary' and 'even drummer Lars Ulrich regularly left his kit to bond with the front row - by spitting his drink onto them, much to their joy,' to feel as though I was there.

Just now I emailed old mate and wrote, "What were they like, Timmy?" :

He replied:

Awesome. They’re old, but they put on a great show.

It was the first time I saw them and apparently a lot of the things I found odd are normal. For example. Hammett seemed almost uninterested at times, Trujillo left the stage after each song before returning with a different and amazing new bass (they all did except Ulrich on drums), very…very staged and restrictive (pyro, set movement, comments to the crowd)

The set (physical, not playlist) was pretty much pointless and appeared expensive (and probably transported from the US ). They played on a central stage and ensured that all sides of the stage got a good view of each of them. For punters like me in the pit, it was amazing. They were only 3 feet away.

I should preface each performance by explaining that the mix was terrible. Instruments faded in and out and they could never really get the volume right for the solo guitar – hopefully it was better for the seated patrons.

Trujillo – was intense as I expected him to be. Flawless performance. Did the crab all over the stage (I have no idea how he plays so well with his bass 1 inch off the ground.. unreal)

Hetfield – really in his element on stage, interaction with crowd, singing and guitar…all pretty much spot on

Hammett – seemed to enjoy himself and soloed pretty well.

Ulrich – his drumming was pretty much spot on. The tempo was high so he was flat out all night (possibly too fast in places). I realise it’s metal, but why would I want to open my mouth for him to spit water into it… I found that a little weird….now, if it was beer…..

This tour really felt like they were doing it for the fans. They spent plenty of time on stage after the gig throwing out free stuff and thanking people for coming. They played a good mix of old, new and covers (interesting that the people I went with all knew some songs and not others, so you had your new fans, your old school fans and the people who liked load and reload…. I fit into old school with a little of the new stuff). There was a sea of black last night in the crowd…. Or fat guys with their tops off (made me laugh)

A human water carrier nourishing thirsty fans, and a sea of black punctuated with fat guys with their tops off? I'm laughing too.

PS. My day wasn' t totally devoid of live music. Bellowed three hymns at chapel to the superepic transylvanian sound of the organ.