You may be among 'the unforgiven' if you miss out on Metallica’s much-anticipated first concert of 2020 when it hits the big screen at the Sunset Drive-In.
Metallica's will hit the local giant screen on Saturday, Aug. 29 for their first concert since COVID-19 shut down large gatherings.
Heralded as one of the biggest bands in the world, Metallica last performed in September of 2019. Like most musicians, the band has remained silent as everyone gets used to the rules of social distancing.
Sunset manager David Hayes told BarrieToday he anticipates a big crowd at the Oro-Medonte Township venue and reminds everyone that COVID-19 protocols will be in place.
“End of summer and everyone's itching for a big event ... it doesn’t get much bigger than Metallica,” said Hayes. “We’ll be following all our protocols and want to remind people to not bring lawn chairs and to remain in their vehicles.”
The show will be filmed at a drive-in elsewhere and edited for the Aug. 29 event. While Sunset and other drive-ins don’t have the technology yet to go live, Hayes said they have broadcast live concerts in the last couple months that were a success.
“Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton are two other big musical acts we’ve had on the Sunset screens this year and they were very well received,” said Hayes. “We have had a lot of great feedback from those who have attended. Obviously people would like to go to a big live concert, but right now this is the next best thing.”
The concession stands are open, which helps add to the drive-in experience, and there are lots of sanitizing stations and plexiglass dividers, said Hayes.
Sunset also recently hosted a Legends of Country tribute show and a Tribute to The Eagles, and attendees stayed in their vehicles.
“They went over pretty good and it was fun for people to say they went to a live show,” said Hayes. “This may be the new normal for the next little while so as long as everyone is having fun and being safe, we will continue to have the events.”
Sunset is looking to make their shows more interesting by allowing vendors to sell safely at shows.
This Wednesday, Sunset is showing a special horror movie double-bill with Evil Dead and Pieces with vendors selling goods for those in attendance.
As for the Metallica show on Aug. 29, tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday, Aug. 14, but members of the Metallica Fifth Member fan club can be purchased on Wednesday. Tickets can be purchased here.
The Sunset Drive-in is located on Line 4, just off of Highway 11 between Barrie and Orillia.
