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Riot-marred 1993 Jakarta Metallica concert now available for streaming
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Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield of Metallica perform before the main bout during the Triad Combat event at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, the United States, on Nov. 27, 2021. (AFP/Getty Images/Richard Rodriguez)
U
nited States heavy metal band Metallica made a recording of its infamous April 11, 1993, show at Lebak Bulus Stadium in Jakarta, and it is now available for streaming as part of an online event called The Black Box.
The metal group’s two-day concert in Jakarta, which ran from April 10 to 11 during the Nowhere Else to Roam world tour in support of the Black Album, was marred by riots.
Some fans who could not get tickets forced their way into the stadium. Hundreds of others who attempted to enter but couldn’t rioted nearby, damaging buildings and transportation infrastructure as far as 2 kilometers from the stadium. Shops were looted, houses were robbed and several stores, cars and ticket stands were set alight.
No deaths were reported, but nearly 200 people were heavily injured. On the second day, the riot was smaller but equally severe. A dozen people reportedly suffered stab wounds and bruises.
The riot caused the promoter, AIRO, a huge loss as they had to cover 3 billion rupiah (US$208,262.40) in compensation for damage to nearby property. It was also a turning point in Indonesian history, musically and politically, as security for music concerts since has been greatly tightened, and several years later, the country experienced the May 1998 riots, which led to the resignation of then-President Soeharto.
Metallica returned 20 years later to perform at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Aug. 25, 2013, with metal fan and then-Jakarta governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo also in attendance.
The concert in Jakarta was one of Metallica’s numerous tour dates across the world from 1991 to 1993.
Recordings of other concerts have also been made available for The Black Box, which promises “a series of rare, unseen performances”.
The Jakarta concert was made available on Saturday, while the last two concerts to be presented will be the 1993 concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil, available on Feb. 12, and one in Tel Aviv, Israel, available on Feb. 19.
Tickets for the streamed event cost US$5.98, and the recordings will be available to watch up to 48 hours after their release.
