Metallica Plays Intimate Hamptons Show to Launch SiriusXM Channel

A review of Metallica's intimate Hamptons show behind the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, tied to SiriusXM's Maximum Metallica channel.

Metallica Plays Intimate Hamptons Show to Launch SiriusXM Channel

Metallica played its smallest show in about a decade, a roughly 95-minute set for a 500-capacity tent behind the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, as part of celebrations for Maximum Metallica, a new 24-hour SiriusXM channel devoted to the band. The performance wandered through classics with only one deep cut in the mix, and it showcased the group's willingness to trade arena scale for an intimate club vibe. The venue choice underlined a deliberate contrast with the Hamptons' luxury scene, while the band kept the energy high with a balance of ferocity and precision.

Fans and well-known locals filled the rail, with celebrities and friends nearby as the band rolled through the opening chords of Creeping Death and closed with Enter Sandman. Hetfield spoke briefly about the setting, noting the show felt like a club gig from the old days. The night also fed ongoing chatter about a possible Las Vegas Sphere residency, even as the group and SiriusXM emphasize the event as a one-off celebration rather than a shift in strategy.

Metallica's Hamptons show exposes a push and pull in modern rock. On one side is a legendary act who still sells out stadiums; on the other is an audience craving rarity and a sense of community in a rare small room. The arrangement with SiriusXM extends a business model that monetizes nostalgia, turning a single concert into a cross-media launch.

Beyond the glitz, the night raises questions about accessibility and taste. If famous faces and luxury venues define the experience, does that undermine the democratic appeal of live music? Still, the performance demonstrates that when giants shrink to a club size, the moment can feel electric and human.

Highlights

Nostalgia still burns bright on a small stage