Hundreds of diehard Metallica fans are filling central Auckland, with lines of eager concertgoers snaking through the Britomart train station.
Fans decked out in black attire have filled the trains heading to the heavy metal band’s sold-out show at Eden Park tonight.
A photographer at the station said fans were queued out the door and were being let in once the platform had been cleared.
Some 50,000 rockers have begun to arrive at the concert venue, with many sporting Metallica merchandise, long hair, leather jackets and studded accessories.
Earlier today, fans were forking out nearly $100 for a poster before the long-awaited show.
A merchandise sales site has been operating in central Auckland since yesterday in anticipation of the hordes of fans descending on New Zealand’s national stadium.
It will be open until 8.30pm today, with its final trade ending tomorrow at 6.30pm.
Merch stalls at Eden Park were also opening progressively throughout the day, with the first pop-up launched outside Entry C at noon.
Items up for grabs at the merch pop-ups include an exclusive M72 Auckland concert poster ($90), T-shirt ($70), women’s vest ($70), Auckland-embossed jumbo pick ($30) and 72 Seasons limited-edition vinyls ($120).
The prices have drawn ire from some fans.
“$90 for a poster ... catch that up,” one wrote on Facebook.
“For the bargain price of $90,” another wrote alongside laughing emojis.
Fans began congregating outside Eden Park early, with the atmosphere buzzing for Metallica’s first New Zealand show since 2010.
Adelino De Santi jnr told the Herald that although he’s seen the band seven times already in Brazil, he “promised to go [to Metallica] in New Zealand and is finally going” tonight.
De Santi jnr came to New Zealand on holiday in 2019 to scope out a future move. He was ecstatic to learn the band were playing during his first weekend here, but they cancelled their two Mt Smart shows after frontman James Hetfield re-entered an addiction treatment programme.
Having been offered a job as a biology teacher at King’s College last year, De Santi jnr and his wife subsequently emigrated to Auckland in January.
“I still think Kiwis are amazing,” he said, noting how kind and helpful New Zealanders have been since they arrived.
Heading to tonight’s concert by himself – “my wife isn’t a fan” – he planned to wear a T-shirt and hat bought through Metallica’s Fifth Member fan club.
“I’m a big fan ... I’ve been listening to them since 1995 when I was a teenager,” De Santi jnr said.
Road closures began around Eden Park at 4pm, with Sandringham Rd, Walters Rd, Cricket Ave, Reimers Ave and Bellwood Ave closed to all traffic until midnight.
Side streets further afield, stretching from Morningside Drive east to Dominion Rd, will be under “managed access” over the same period, with residents-only access and parking.
Post-concert road closures will be implemented from 9.30pm, affecting Bond St, New Bond St and parts of Morningside Drive and New North Rd.
Gates opened to concert-goers from 4.30pm, with opening acts Suicidal Tendencies and Evanescence kicking off the event at 5.30pm.
Free rides to and from the venue on Auckland Transport buses and trains are available for ticket-holders, who are advised to present their concert ticket when boarding for each trip.
“We strongly encourage you arrive early due to the number of fans expected,” Eden Park has said.
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