Metallica has successfully concluded their live performances for 2024, culminating in their annual and highly anticipated Helping Hands concert held in California. This event serves as a testament to the band’s commitment to giving back to the community that has supported them throughout their illustrious career, creating a memorable experience for fans and participants alike.

The Helping Hands concert series, an integral part of Metallica’s All Within My Hands foundation, is a biannual event that has been delighting audiences since its inception in 2018. Each concert not only showcases the incredible talent of the band but also serves as a vehicle for philanthropy, aimed at uplifting those who have been instrumental in the band’s journey, fostering a spirit of community and support.

This initiative aims to assist and enrich the lives of community members who have long supported Metallica while encouraging active engagement from fans and friends. Previous editions of this concert series have been overwhelmingly successful, with the events in 2018 and 2020 collectively raising over $1.3 million, while the 2022 concert achieved a remarkable milestone, garnering over $3 million in donations. Such contributions showcase the incredible impact that music can have on society.

The most recent Helping Hands concert was held on Friday (Dec. 13) at the 6,000-seat YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, and was hosted by the beloved television personality Jimmy Kimmel. This year’s event featured an array of special guests, including rock legends Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, and Kenny Aronoff, along with the talented classically-trained siblings known as SistaStrings, who enriched the concert experience with their unique sound.

In keeping with tradition, the concert showcased a selection of deep cuts from Metallica’s extensive back catalog, and this performance was no exception. It began with a captivating five-song acoustic set, featuring San Francisco singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Avi Vincour, alongside pianist Henry Salvia, who contributed their musical talents to enhance the overall experience.

The acoustic set commenced with a stirring rendition of “Low Man’s Lyric,” a song that had not graced the live stage since the band’s Reload tour back in September 1998. Following this, the band played Diamond Head’s “Helpless” for the first time since 2018, and delivered a groundbreaking performance of Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “Away From Home.” The acoustic section concluded with memorable versions of 2023’s “If Darkness Had a Son” and the timeless classic “Nothing Else Matters,” showcasing the band’s musical versatility.

The electric set that followed was more familiar to fans, featuring a selection of tracks from Metallica’s vast discography. Alongside the recent hit “Screaming Suicide,” the band revisited cherished songs from their iconic ’80s albums, including Kill ‘Em All, Master of Puppets, and 1989’s …And Justice for All. Notably, the band revived “The Unforgiven II” in their live performances for the first time since 2015 and welcomed Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament to the stage for a collaborative rendition of “Hit the Lights.”

Fans can look forward to the Helping Hands concert being available for streaming on YouTube starting Thursday (Dec. 19). While the precise amount raised during the event is typically disclosed in the new year, the anticipation surrounding this information only adds to the excitement of Metallica’s ongoing commitment to philanthropy and community support.