Metallica hosted their fourth Helping Hands benefit concert and auction on Friday (December 13th) at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles.
The concert marked the first Helping Hands benefit since 2022 and saw Metallica perform two sets, one acoustic and one electric, featuring covers, rare cuts, and new arrangements alongside guest collaborators. The evening, once again hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, also featured performances by Sammy Hagar’s “Best of All Worlds” band and the classical duo SistaStrings.
For their acoustic set, Metallica were joined by musicians Avi Vinocur and Henry Salvia, along with SistaStrings on a couple songs, running through a five-song set that expanded beyond the band’s normal selection. That included the first performance of “Low Man’s Lyric” since 1998, covers of “Helpless” by Diamond Head and “Away from Home” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive (Metallica’s first time covering the tune), and a new acoustic arrangement of “If Darkness Had a Son” from 72 Seasons.
The electric set also had some surprises, such as “The Unforgiven II” (the first performance of the song since 2015), a new arrangement of “Fuel” with Vinocur, and Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament sitting in on “Hit the Lights.”
Proceeds from the concert and auction benefit Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation. Back in 2022, the benefit raised about $3 million, all of which went to the foundation.
Below you can see a photo gallery, fan-filmed footage, and the full Metallica setlist from the show.
Metallica’s Helping Hands Setlist:
Acoustic (w/ Avi Vinocur and Henry Salvia)
Low Man’s Lyric
Helpless (Diamond Head cover)
Away From Home (Bachman–Turner Overdrive cover)
If Darkness Had a Son (also w/ SistaStrings)
Nothing Else Matters (also w/ SistaStrings)
Electric:
Orion
The Shortest Straw
Until It Sleeps
Screaming Suicide
The Unforgiven II (with Avi Vinocur)
Fuel (with Avi Vinocur and Henry Salvia)
Hit The Lights (with Jeff Ament)
Master of Puppets