Inside Metallica's *FREE* Life Burns Faster Pop-Up in Las Vegas
It was the summer of 2003. I was going into my senior year of high school, and Metallica's Summer Sanitarium tour was in full swing.
My buddies and I bought floor tickets to their show at the now-razed HHH Metrodome in Minneapolis, and it was damn near a religious experience.
We got there early to make sure we were near the stage, which was along the 1st baseline. Porta-potties & vending were along the left-field wall, across the entire baseball field, which meant navigating through a sea of people...
Not wanting to lose our spot, we stayed near the stage all afternoon through Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Mudvayne, and obviously, Metallica.
I didn't drink a sip of water all day, except for a pull from an Aquafina bottle that got tossed off stage at some point. I was legit blacking out from dehydration, and it was awesome.
I found a (really shitty) video of their 2-hour set on YouTube, and am watching it as I type this.
Catering to fans attending Metallica's 24-show residency at the Las Vegas Sphere is the Life Burns Faster Pop Up Fan Experience, which I recently stopped by (despite not yet having tickets to a show, ugh).
The main draw is the photo opportunities, which are numerous and let you step into their most iconic album covers and even pose with the band.
I later learned that the photo ops feature old stage props, which is freaking cool.
Folks can put on the helmet on the left cross when posing behind the crosses.
You can hop into the electric chair for a pretty cool photo.
The wall plastered with concert posters, stickers, and other artifacts was fun to explore.
Metallica's humble roots are highlighted in the "Early Days Garage", a replica scene that replicates where the band wrote and recorded their first two albums.
It was fun to scope out every little nostalgia-inducing detail from the time period. Loved that they even had crushed beer cans lying around.
Beyond the free photo opportunities, a sprawling merchandise shop is stocked with clothing, records... and even $275 Yeti coolers.
Whether you're making it to a show or not, stopping by the Metallica Life Burns Faster pop-up experience is a worthwhile detour for fans, even if only for the photo opportunities that will look great in your vacation album.
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I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.
