It was more than just a concert when Metallica brought their M72 World Tour to Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech on Wednesday, May 7.
Virginia Tech has a long history of using Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” as their football game entrance song, and the resulting fan energy has been known to register on seismographs. Since this was the band’s first time performing live in Blacksburg, the potential for ground-shaking excitement was greater than ever.
Metallica Shakes the Earth at Virginia Tech with “Enter Sandman” Performance
There was great excitement for Metallica’s show at Lane Stadium.
Since 2000, the band’s “Enter Sandman” has been the Hokies’ entrance anthem, and it has created an atmosphere at football games that is unmatched.
The tradition started somewhat by accident when a marching band member jumped to stay warm during a cold game, and soon the entire stadium joined in. Local seismographs have recorded this collective jumping on several occasions.
Before the performance, there was speculation over whether the Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory’s apparatus would be affected by the crowd’s energy.
The Hokies supporters, it turns out, were not let down. The seismograph displayed a notable jump when Metallica began “Enter Sandman,” demonstrating the band’s strong bond with the campus.
The night the earth shook 🎸 pic.twitter.com/KHtwPg1Os8
— HokieSports (@hokiesports) May 8, 2025
Virginia Tech and Metallica have a history dating back more than 20 years. When the first video board was constructed at Lane Stadium in 2000, “Enter Sandman” was selected as the opening music, surpassing both “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sirius.”
Players and fans will be electrified by the song’s powerful lyrics and driving beat, which perfectly match the Hokies’ arrival on the field.
Metallica is aware of the tradition and has embraced it because it has become so iconic. The group even made a video for the Hokies prior to a matchup with Miami in 2011. Over 60,000 spectators jump in unison during the “Enter Sandman” entrance, creating an incredibly intimidating and one-of-a-kind atmosphere for visiting teams.
Metallica’s performance at Lane Stadium was a celebration of a 25-year tradition rather than merely a show.
Seeing the band perform live in Blacksburg was a dream come true for many Hokie fans. Metallica and Virginia Tech have a strong bond, as seen by the concert’s rapid sellout and significant demand for resale tickets.
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Seismograph readings confirmed that the Hokies fans brought the same intensity to the concert as they do to football games. Metallica’s visit to Lane Stadium was a historic event that cemented the band’s place in Virginia Tech lore and created lifelong memories.
The concert was a huge success, with fans creating an unforgettable atmosphere. Now, the Hokies will have to make good on their end of the deal and bring a brand of football the rock band would be proud of.
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