Metallica kicked off their M72 World Tour at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 1, and fans were in for a treat. Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo surprised the crowd by playing a version of The John Butler Trio’s hit “Zebra.” The unexpected cover thrilled the packed stadium.
During the concert, two fans were arrested after climbing a central tower, adding a bit of drama to the night. Australian artists like Danielle Caruana and Kav Temperley took to social media to congratulate John Butler on the surprise performance. Meanwhile, The John Butler Trio woke up in London to a flood of texts and videos from the show. John Butler shared his excitement on Facebook, saying, “I’ve just woken up in London to several texts/vids of them performing Zebra wtaf!?? This is a spin out!! RESPECT.” He was amazed by the news from so far away.
In addition to “Zebra,” Hammett and Trujillo also played “Crash Course in Brain Surgery” by Budgie. Backstage, James Hetfield had a fun moment with Anthony Field from The Wiggles, reminiscing about old times.
“Zebra” has been The John Butler Trio’s biggest single since its release in 2003. John Butler recently released his 10th studio album, PRISM, in September. He described the album as a cathartic release and a reflection of his musical journey.
The M72 World Tour will continue through Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney before heading to Auckland, New Zealand. The Perth setlist featured 17 songs, opening with “Creeping Death” and closing with “Enter Sandman.” Fans also enjoyed classics like “Master of Puppets,” “One,” “Nothing Else Matters,” and “Seek & Destroy.”
