Hundreds of heavy metal fans are lining up for a pop-up shop set up by veteran rockers Metallica. The pop-up store is located at 11714 - 82 Street and runs until Aug. 25. The pop-up shop is a prelude to two concerts that are part of their M72 world tour. On August 23 and 25, the Metallica M72 World Tour takes over Commonwealth with two different sets with two different opening acts — Friday, August 23 features Pantera and Mammoth WVH and Sunday, August 25 features Five Finger Death Punch and Ice Nine Mills. On Saturday, August 31, P!nk takes the stage.
The pop-up shop is selling exclusive merchandise such as vinyls of the band's latest album 72 Seasons, screen printed posters, event t-shirts, hats, accessories and skateboards. Some fans reportedly started waiting for the pop-up shop to open as early as 4:30 a.m.
Metallica is playing two shows at Commonwealth Stadium on Aug. 23 and 25 as part of their M72 world tour. Tickets for the shows are available on the band's website.
The band announced: “The Metallica Machine is making its way to Edmonton for a No Repeat Weekend starting Friday, August 23, with special guests Pantera and Mammoth WVH! Then, two days later, we’ll take the stage again - after special guests Five Finger Death Punch and Ice Nine Kills - to perform an entirely different setlist! If you know us… you know that when we come to town, there will be plenty of festivities off the stage as well. Keep reading for all the details you need to know about our time in Alberta.”
Know Before You Go at Commonwealth Stadium
All guests are encouraged to arrive and enter Commonwealth Stadium early to go through security screening lines. For Metallica, gates open at 4 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. For P!nk, gates open at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. All times are subject to change. For more information, visit edmonton.ca/CommonwealthEvents.
Clear Bag Policy and Bag Search
Commonwealth Stadium strongly encourages fans not to bring bags. There is a mandatory clear bag policy in place at Commonwealth Stadium for all events. Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12″ x 12” x 6″ are allowed. Small clutch bags, which cannot exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″ in size, can be taken into the stadium or a clear bag. Fans with clear bags can use the Express Lanes. Exceptions to this policy will be made for all medically necessary items after proper inspection and approval.
Public Transit
Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) is excited to help connect riders to these special events. Park & Ride buses start at 3:30 p.m. on August 23 and 25, and 4:30 p.m. on August 31. Park & Ride buses run approximately every five minutes until the concerts begin. After the concert Park & Ride buses will run every five minutes until the stadium is clear. Regular fares apply for Park & Ride buses, regular bus routes and Capital/Metro/Valley Line Southeast LRT service. For more information, visit edmonton.ca/ETSevents
Parking
Please note there is no parking at Commonwealth Stadium and parking restrictions in neighbourhoods around the stadium will be in effect. When restrictions are in place, only residents with valid parking permits can park on streets in those areas.
Bikes
There will be supervised bike parking on the northeast corner of Clarke Stadium. Signs will guide you to the drop-off and pick up location.
Traffic
As many Edmontonians make their way downtown to take in the Metallica concert at Commonwealth Stadium, citizens are advised that there may be significant traffic and pedestrian congestion near the stadium during their Friday afternoon commute. Citizens can expect to see EPS officers controlling vehicle and pedestrian traffic in several areas with the expected road closure of Stadium Road between 92 Street and 112 Avenue beginning at 4 p.m. Detours will be in place until pedestrian, bus and vehicle traffic has subsided to safe levels, at which time the road will re-open.
Stadium Road will then be closed again following the conclusion of the concert at 11 p.m. and will continue until concert goers have safely left the area. During these closures, motorists are encouraged to please avoid the area or seek alternate routes. A map of the anticipated closure is attached. We also remind concert goers to enjoy the show respectfully and responsibly. Please ensure you have a safe and sober ride home.
Metallica Film Fest
The Rec Room at South Edmonton Common 1725 99 St NW | Edmonton, AB T6N 1K5 Saturday, August 24 | Doors 4 | Show 4:30
Finally, if you’re more into the whole sitting still thing, three Metallica films screen Saturday: 1987’s Cliff ’Em All at 4:30 p.m., 1998’s Cunning Stunts at 6:15 p.m., and the concert film Orgullo, Pasion y Gloria: Tres Noches En La Ciudad de Mexico, filmed in 2009, starting at 8:35 p.m. and running 145 minutes.
Bastardane & Ottto
The Starlite Room 10030 102 St NW | Edmonton, AB T5J 0V6 Saturday, August 24 | 7 PM
Bastardine & Otto: James Hetfield’s son Castor drums for Bastardine, and Robert Trujillo’s son Tye plays bass in Otto, so why not make the whole weekend a family affair and see how the youngbloods hold up between the stadium mayhem?
Disposable Heroes
Midway Music Hall 6107 104 St NW | Edmonton, AB T6H 2K8 Saturday, August 24 | Doors 7:30 PM | Show 8:30 PM
You never know who might show up in the audience, right?
The ‘Nothing Else Matters’ Weekend
Metallica themselves: Seeing as the still-standing, 43-year-old metal messiah band is taking over Edmonton all weekend with its M72 World Tour, why not surrender and make it Three to Metallica? Though, remember, kids, it’s two fingers in the air, no thumb! More than 30 songs by the thrash-and-roll legendary headliner are promised over the two nights with no repeats — pretty sweet!
Standing room only tickets in the field are $261 all in per show, but you can still grab a seat for $137. I’ve seen a couple verified resales at $87 briefly pop up, and some two-day resale passes are as low are $140.40, so keep checking online to see what you can snag.
