The festival, a haven for hard rock and heavy metal enthusiasts, boasted an unmatched lineup with legends like Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Metallica, and Tool.
They rocked the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, drawing nearly 100,000 fans over three days. Notably, AC/DC’s performance was their grand comeback after a seven-year hiatus.
Social media platforms have been buzzing with backstage snippets, showcasing band members mingling and soaking in the electric atmosphere. However, one highlight that has garnered significant attention is Metallica’s guitarists, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, visibly immersing themselves in the vibe during Judas Priest’s Saturday performance.
Even though Metallica’s slot was on Sunday, the iconic duo decided to join the party a day earlier. Fans were treated to candid shots of them blending in with the crowd on Metallica’s official Instagram, while other platforms displayed Hetfield’s infectious enthusiasm.
Given the deep admiration and collaborative history between Metallica and Judas Priest, this isn’t surprising. Rob Halford of Judas Priest has performed the iconic ‘Rapid Fire’ with Metallica multiple times. Additionally, in 2021, Kirk Hammett showcased his skills alongside Priest with their renowned rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown).”
With AC/DC’s sensational performance on Saturday, it wouldn’t be a stretch to believe Metallica were among the most thrilled in the audience. After all, every Metallica show kicks off with AC/DC’s anthem “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” resonating through the venue.
