New York: Day 4

Seems like per the usual woke up around 3pm. Being unsuccessful yesterday finding a clear backpack that was the day’s priority. I searched the internet and found that a local Under Armor had on in stock and only a few blocks away. I ventured back through the city to the World Trade Center plaza. The weather was much different from the previous days. It was a blue bird day and that also meant hotter. The plaza was filled with people and there were 3 or 4 tour groups all gathered outside of the shopping plaza. Some were a mix of ages and one appeared to be a high school trip of sorts. Found the store I was looking for and sure enough they had a clear backpack. Made my purchase and headed back to the hotel.

Clear backpack and camera in tow I was going to try a new way to the stadium. Uber was convenient but good god was it expensive. I was given a pro tip back on Friday nights concert to take the subway to the Port Authority building and from there can catch the NJTransit train or their bus specifically going to the stadium. Metro card was $10. The train arrived and was 5 stops to 42nd street which took 15 or so minutes. I exited the station on the opposite side so had to walk the full city block but the correct exit left you right in front of the Port Authority building. I missed the train by about 3 minutes which was pretty annoying but go a bus ticket for a round trip price of $16 bucks. The terminal was filled with Metallica fans. People talking about what songs they hoped to hear and what their favorite part was of Fridays show. 

We boarded the bus and they drive took about 30 minutes. We entered in the sports complex in front of the Giants front office and training facility. You always see these buildings on tv but to see it in person was pretty rad. The walk from the bus took me across the parking lot that was filled with people tailgating. People had Metallica flags, shirts, banners, you name it. I walked past a group of guys and one was standing with his back to me in a Metallica new tour shirt and MetLife was in the distance. The photo was too good not to take and before I even said anything they said “TAKE OUR PICTURE!” I took their group photo and one of the gentleman with the stadium in the background. They offered me a beer and we drank in the parking lot and chatted all things travel and Metallica. I said adios to my new friends and got my ticket from the enhanced experience tent. 

I walked up to the security stop and the guard said my backpack was too big to come in! I started freakin out a little but someone else mentioned to him that it was clear, to which is said “Oh ok you’re good then.” I smiled and walked through security heading toward the stage. I had gotten in to the stadium at roughly the same time as I did on Friday. The floor was just starting to fill with more people and there was only about 15 minutes until the opening act. I decided I wanted to get a different view this show so found a close area next to the band’s entrance. I got my spot and the girl in front of me turned around and exclaimed “Hey! We stood next to each other on Friday!” We had a good laugh and high five’d and struck up a conversation. I met the other people around us and made a nice friend group. The opening act was a band called “Ice Nine Kills.” They had a horror theme and everyone had tuxedos on and gory masks. Their set was incredibly entertaining. From actors with chainsaws to chopping up fake people on stage. It was hilarious and the band was actually really good as well!

The second act followed which was 5 Finger Death Punch. I had seen them in the past and they put on a great show as usual. The lead singer had the greatest energy and you could tell he was super amped to be opening for Metallica. He took people’s phone from the crowd and took videos of him singing, gave out shirts, drum sticks, picks, you name it. The crowd loved them. The energy in the stadium during the lead up to Metallica was much crazier than on Friday. People started chanting and the wave broke out circling the stadium 30 times at least. The lights cuz, AC/DC came on and it was showtime! Being 1 person from the barricade the whole band came running past bumping fists with everyone. The setlist for the evening was killer. There was an elevated mic right in front of us and James performed the first 2 songs right there. Everyone was super in to the show and the ladies in front of me had the ridiculous signs. Each was more absurd than the last, yet drew attention from photographers and performers. Lars had a drum set near us and through his glass of water at the girls in front of me who snatched it up and could drink it quick enough. The mega fan next to her caught a concert played pick and his buddy got Jame’s sweat band at the end of the show. It’s safe to say this was the greatest concert of all of their lives. 

The show wrapped up and exchanged numbers with my new friends and then started the adventure of getting home. With 80K people leaving the stadium isn’t that easy. I finally found the area to board the bus back to the Port Authority building and that line had to be 500 people long. It just kept going and going. That line took about 30 or so minutes but finally boarded the bus. The fellow next to me was from Perth and traveled to NYC for the show. The bus arrived and had planned to just uber from there but thought could take the subway just as easy. I had to take the “A” train but stupid me got on it just going in the wrong direction. I noticed my error one stop in luckily enough so exited and then got to the correct track and waiting for the train. My error cost me about 30 minutes which sucked but pays to read I guess. The train to my stop took about 30 minutes as well and it left me a few blocks from my hotel. Finally got back in about 2am and downloaded all of the images from the evening

Another super successful day!