Metallica December 17th in LA

By Matt Davis – December 20, 2008

I went and saw Metallica on a Wednesday night here in LA (well.. Inglewood to specific… at The Forum). It was a great night, even though I wasn’t too sure at the beginning.

The whole reason behind me going was that my friend (and fellow comedian)Joel Sanders was here in the US touring(he’s from the UK… and that means England not “University of Kentucky” btw.) and was heading to Los Angeles to spend some time off his tour before heading back.

We spoke and realized we would both be in town at the same time, and then Joel mentioned Metallica was playing and asked if I wanted to go. Now, I like Metallica (although I can’t name every album or hit) and no plans for the evening naturally I agreed to accompany him. I go the tickets via TicketMaster, which is probably the biggest pain in the ass… I realize the site has alot going-on with its reservation system, but someone really needs to redo the whole thing. Horrible. I won’t drag on with my web critique, but directly related to my issues with it: when we arrived at the venue turns out the tickets I thought I was buying (for 62.50 + an 11.75 “convenience” charge + tax + a couple bucks to be able to print them out in advance i think) we’re actually the level above. So I was 90 bucks or so deep and had “less-than-desirable” seats. They weren’t horrible. But thinking I was supposed to be 12 rows back from the floor area and finding myslef a tier up and 12 rows back is a big difference. I was now reliving the purchase in my head as the opening band played… thinking about how the parking pass i purchase was 30 something bucks via Ticketmaster and parking was only 22 at the venue, and we parked where everyone else did despite the fact it appeared as though I was buying some preferred level of parking.. oh well.

It was at this point in my not following the opening band and becoming irritated about the purchasing process that Joel had an idea. He would seek out a customer service rep and ask for an upgrade on the tickets. I said why not, fully expecting to be told we could purchase new tickets at full price or fuck off. I clearly underestimated the negotiating ability of a polite, complimentary, British accent.

The ladies at the Customer Service desk didn’t even blink as Joel explained the problem with the tickets… how we had traveled all the way from the UK to see the show… and several other white lies. They told us they may be able to get us in a Handicap access row if noone was using it once Metallica took the stage. So I grabbed a cigarette outside (where I saw the guy who played John Connor in the Terminator movies.. spoke briefly), a piss, a beer, and watched Metallica take the stage. When then went back over to the Customer Service window.

These ladies didn’t get us the Handicap Access row… no.. instead (unbeknownst to us) they gave us 3 rows back from the floor! Area 11 Row J seats 8 and 7. Perfect seats! Safe from the sweaty mosh pit, and just above eye level of the stage… maybe 40 feet away (hard to say).

And if you’re wondering, Metallica still has it… great show! From the music to the production level to the audience interaction. I highly recommend catching this tour if you’re a fan or even a pseudo fan. Even if you only liked Enter Sandman. They played over 2 hours without a lull.

Here are some pics I grabbed with my phone (click to open full size 800×600):