View From The Snakepit: Metallica In Detroit

A few weeks ago, Chauncey and I traveled up to Detroit to see our 2nd show of Metallica's "Hardwired" tour. We has previously attended the Chicago show with our cousins, Beth and Joe, and THAT was an adventure to say the least. At the Chicago show, we were General Admission, which meant we were on the floor of the venue with several thousand other people and it sucked. The show itself was amazing (as Metallica always is), but the crowds were terrible. Way too many drunk (and high) people, too much shoving and pushing without regards to those around you. We had scored a great spot right in front of the stage, but had to move once the crows became overwhelming. Once we were further back, it wasn't too bad.

So fast forward to the Detroit show, where we managed to scored access to the SNAKE PIT. The Snake Pit is the opening in the middle of the stage, so that it wraps around some of the audience.

The Snake Pit in the 90's

So how does one get into the Snake Pit? There's a few ways: win passes via the Metallica Fan Club (which is how we won), win an upgrade at the venue, win at the shop if your tour date includes the Metallica Pop-Up Shop, and I think some shows had VIP packages that included Snake Pit access as well (but on a VERY limited basis). So when Chauncey got the email that we won, we were pretty stoked!

We got to Comerica Park about an hour before the doors were set to open, and we picked up our wristbands at the Will Call window. We had to go in and through security with everyone else, and get the wristbands for the General Admission as well, but once we got down to the floor we were able to walk right in. I couldn't believe that we were so close!

There was a threat of bad weather rolling in once the show started, so Volbeat ended up going on about 10-15 minutes early. Volbeat wasn't at the Chicago show, so we were both super excited to finally see them live.

Avenged Sevenfold was next, whom we had already seen in Chicago. So when they announced that they would be cutting their set list short so that Metallica could have a chance to get their entire set in before the storms came, we weren't too upset.

M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold

Metallica ended up coming on about 30 minutes early, and that was a good thing too cause it started raining not long after the show ended! So we were able to experience the ENITRE show from the Snake Pit....and it was AWESOME! The Snake Pit wasn't completely full for Volbeat or Avenged, but when Metallica hit the stage it got quite cozy. Thankfully everyone was respectful of those around them, and there was no moshpitting either (something that I HATED at the Chicago show). Even the security guards near us were getting into the show.

The set list was pretty much the same as the Chicago show, with a few changes (Motorbreath instead of 4 Horsemen and Blackened instead of Battery in the encore). But having the guys walking around right by us, so cool.

I was kinda concerned that the sound might not have been as good being inside the stage, but it wasn't an issue at all. I still wore earplugs because I have really good hearing and would like to keep that thank you, but the mix of all the instruments and vocals sounded great from our vantage point. 

Managed to score from guitar picks! Thanks for the throw in our direction Kirk!

Chauncey got to meet Big Mick, Metallica's long-time live audio engineer

Overall we both had an amazing and memorable experience, and so glad we could check this one off the bucket list. Now if we could only get this close for Paul McCartney!

A FEW TIPS

-The Snake Pit gets warm! So stay hydrated and dress comfortably! I got overheated at one point and had to step out, security gave me water and were super nice about letting me walk away and then come back in. 

-Follow the rules. We were given rules in our winning email and again when we picked up our wristbands. No food or drinks are to be set on the stage, don't touch or grab the band (but they can touch you).

-Have fun! The Snake Pit (and similar spots at other shows) is likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so enjoy it!