EntertainmentMetallicauk festivalsglastonbury 2014

Glastonbury 2014: Metallica Rock The Pyramid Stage In Headlining 100-Minute Set (VIDEO)

Metallica Rock Glasto
The Huffington Post UK

Metallica made their much-awaited headlining appearance on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury festival on Saturday night.

The heavy metal band may have been an unusual choice to headline day two of the festival - which in previous years has seen Radiohead, Coldplay and Beyoncé close the show - but fans who stuck around to watch Metallica were thrilled as the band delved into their back catalogue for their 100-minute set, despite arriving on stage 20 minutes late.

Such divas.

Open Image Modal

Metallica play the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2014

The band kicked off with their track ‘Creeping Death’, before going on to play songs such as ‘Enter Sandman’, ‘One’ and rock classic ‘Whiskey In The Jar’.

During their set, lead singer James Hetfield admitted the group felt priveleged to be representing a genre not usually associated with Glasto, telling the crowd: “We are proud to be invited and be representing, shall we say, heavier music. It's about time.”

MORE:

Closing with ‘Seek & Destroy’, James added: “Sadly we've come to the last song... If you're a fan of Metallica or not, this is a song you can get behind.”

Open Image Modal

James Hetfield of Metallica

The group’s appearance on the Pyramid Stage has been controversial not just because of the style of music they’re best known for, but because of their lead singer’s association with bear hunting.

However, after a petition was set up to have the band removed from the line-up, festival organiser Michael Eavis defended the choice, saying: "There's no other band in the whole history of the festival that has been so keen to play, they will do the best set of their lives here."

Metallica: Vintage Pictures
mtvICON: Metallica - Show(01 of30)
Open Image Modal
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MAY 3: Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield of Metallica perform on stage at the mtvICON: Metallica tribute special held at the Universal Amphitheatre on May 3rd, 2003 in Universal City, California. mtvICON: Metallica will premiere on MTV Tuesday, May 6th at 9:00PM [ET/PT]. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US heavy metal group Metallica arrives at the "My(02 of30)
Open Image Modal
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: US heavy metal group Metallica arrives at the 'My VH1 Music Awards,' 30 November 2000, in Los Angeles. AFP PHOTO/Lucy Nicholson (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Members of "Metallica" from left, Jason Newstead,(03 of30)
Open Image Modal
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25: Members of 'Metallica' from left, Jason Newstead, Kirk Hammet, Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield hold their trophy 25 January 1993 at the 20th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo credit should read VINCE BUCCI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Lars Ulrich(04 of30)
Open Image Modal
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. Circa 1990 (credit:All Action/EMPICS Entertainment)
UK: Download Festival 2004 - Day Two(05 of30)
Open Image Modal
LEICESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND - JUNE 6: Metallica perform with substitute drummer Dave Lombardo from Slayer on stage at day two of the 'Download Festival' at Donington Park on June 6, 2004 in Leicestershire, England. The rock festival features over 50 acts on three stages over two days. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The US heavy metal band Metallica (from (06 of30)
Open Image Modal
The US heavy metal band Metallica (from left to right): James Hetfield, Kirk Hemmet, Lars Ulrich und Robert Trujllo pose for their fans at Berlin's Cine-Star cinema theater 26 May 2003. The band introduced their new album 'St. Anger' which will be released 10 June. AFP PHOTO DDP/ROBERT MICHAEL GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Rehearsals At 31st Annual American Music Awards(07 of30)
Open Image Modal
LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 15: Metallica rehearses for the 31st Annual American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium November 15, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
mtvICON: Metallica - Backstage(08 of30)
Open Image Modal
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MAY 3: (U.S. TABS OUT) Metallica poses backstage at the mtvICON: Metallica tribute special held at the Universal Amphitheatre on May 3rd, 2003 in Universal City, California. mtvICON: Metallica will premiere on MTV Tuesday, May 6th at 9:00PM [ET/PT]. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
mtvICON: Metallica - Show(09 of30)
Open Image Modal
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MAY 3: (U.S. TABS OUT) Metallica performs on stage at the mtvICON: Metallica tribute special held at the Universal Amphitheatre on May 3rd, 2003 in Universal City, California. mtvICON: Metallica will premiere on MTV Tuesday, May 6th at 9:00PM [ET/PT]. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Metallica(10 of30)
Open Image Modal
Metallica performing live at Lollapalooza, 1996. (credit:Kevin Coughlin/EMPICS Entertainment)
31st Annual American Music Awards - Pressroom(11 of30)
Open Image Modal
LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Rob Trujillo, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett of Metallica pose backstage at the 31st Annual American Music Awards at The Shrine Auditorium November 16, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Reading Festival 2008(12 of30)
Open Image Modal
James Hetfield (left) and Kirk Hammett of Metallica perform on day three of the Reading Festival 2008, Berkshire. (credit:PA)
PA-6433722(13 of30)
Open Image Modal
American heavy metal band Metallica arrive at the 1996 MTV Europe Music Awards ceremony (credit:Ellis O'Brien/EMPICS Entertainment)
31st Annual American Music Awards - Arrivals(14 of30)
Open Image Modal
LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 16: Musical group Metallica attends the 31st Annual American Music Awards at The Shrine Auditorium November 16, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Heinekin Jammin' Festival 2006 - Day 2(15 of30)
Open Image Modal
IMOLA, ITALY - JUNE 17: James Hetfield of Metallica performs on stage on the second day of the Heinekin Jammin' Festival 2006 at F1 Track on June 17, 2006 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cacace/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US heavy metal band Metallica?s drummer(16 of30)
Open Image Modal
Aarhus, DENMARK: US heavy metal band Metallica?s drummer Lars Ulrich performs on stage during a concert in Aarhus, western Denmark, late 13 July 2007. AFP PHOTO/CLAUS FISKER (Photo credit should read CLAUS FISKER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Metallica's Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett(17 of30)
Open Image Modal
Metallica's Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett celebrate after winning the 'Best Metal/Hard Rock Video' at the MTV Video Music Awards ceremony in Los Angeles (credit:All Action/EMPICS Entertainment)
Metallica(18 of30)
Open Image Modal
LONDON - AUGUST 21: Rock Group Metallica arrive at the 'Kerrang Awards' at The Royal Lancaster Hotel on August 21, 2003 in London. (Photo by Steve Finn/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Metallica(19 of30)
Open Image Modal
Heavy Metal band Metallica attend the MTV Europe music awards. (credit:Fiona Hanson/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
7th Annual "Los Premios MTV Latin America 2008" Awards - Show(20 of30)
Open Image Modal
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - OCTOBER 16: Robert Trujillo and James Hetfield of Metallica perform during the 7th Annual 'Los Premios MTV Latin America 2008' Awards held at the Auditorio Telmex on October 16, 2008 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Metallica(21 of30)
Open Image Modal
American heavy metal band Metallica celebrate after winning the 'Best Hard Rock Video' award (credit:All Action/EMPICS Entertainment)
Metallica to headline Glastonbury(22 of30)
Open Image Modal
File photo dated 7/7/2007 of James Hetfield (left) and Kirk Hammett of Metallica performing during the Live Earth Concert at Wembley Stadium. The veteran US rockers have been announced as the Saturday night headliners for this year's Glastonbury festival. (credit:PA)
Members of the US heavy metal band Metal(23 of30)
Open Image Modal
Members of the US heavy metal band Metallica (From L) Robert Trujillo, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield pose for photographers at the newly opened O2 Arena in Berlin on September 12, 2008. The band are releasing their new album and playing a concert at the Arena later that day. AFP PHOTO DDP / MICHAEL GOTTSCHALK GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read MICHAEL GOTTSCHALK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
James Hetfield(24 of30)
Open Image Modal
Metallica frontman James Hetfield performing on stage. Circa 1991 (credit:All Action/EMPICS Entertainment)
7th Annual "Los Premios MTV Latin America 2008" Awards - Arrivals(25 of30)
Open Image Modal
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Muscians Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo of Metallica arrive at the 7th Annual 'Los Premios MTV Latin America 2008' Awards held at the Auditorio Telmex on October 16, 2008 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2008 Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival - Day 2(26 of30)
Open Image Modal
MANCHESTER, TN - JUNE 13: Metallica performs at the 2008 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 13, 2008 in Manchester, Tennessee. (Photo by Jeff Gentner/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
21st Annual ASCAP Pop Awards - Arrivals(27 of30)
Open Image Modal
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 18: Rock band Metallica, (L- R) Robert Trujillo, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield, receive the Creative Voice Award at the 21st Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on May 18, 2004 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Live Earth London - Show(28 of30)
Open Image Modal
LONDON - JULY 07: James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo of American rock metal band Metallica perform on stage during the Live Earth concert held at Wembley Stadium on July 7, 2007 in London. Live Earth is a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on 7/7/07, bringing together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Metallica(29 of30)
Open Image Modal
Metallica attend Kerrang Awards 2003 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London (credit:PA)
Lars Ulrich(30 of30)
Open Image Modal
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich (credit:All Action/EMPICS Entertainment)

href="http://www.facebook.com/HuffPostUKEnt"target="_hplink">LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

| FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip