James Hetfield Says Turnstile Turned Down Metallica Tour
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James Hetfield said on his SiriusXM show, Riff Life, that Metallica wanted Turnstile to join them on tour, but the hardcore band declined. Hetfield praised Turnstile’s live performances and said the group was doing well on its own; details of the offer and Turnstile’s response have not been reported directly.

Metallica frontman James Hetfield said Turnstile declined an offer to tour with the band, explaining on his SiriusXM show Riff Life that the hardcore group was already doing well on its own. Hetfield also praised Turnstile’s live performances, bringing attention to the band’s decision after its recent large-scale Washington, D.C., appearance.

Hetfield discussed the offer while talking about Turnstile on Riff Life. “We wanted to get them on tour, and they said no, they’re doing good on their own already,” he said. The comment, reported by Stereogum, is the available account of the declined invitation; neither the specific tour nor the timing or terms of the offer were identified in the report.

Hetfield spoke warmly about the group’s concert performances, saying listeners could appreciate the band in a different way by seeing it live. “Like many, many bands, they sound great on their records and recordings. But man, when you see them live, you totally get it,” he said. He encouraged listeners to see Turnstile perform if they had the chance.

He also said Metallica’s members had spent time with Turnstile and described them as “super cool guys, super fun.” Hetfield referred to guitarist Meg Mills as “a gal in the band now playing.” Stereogum’s report said Turnstile had recently performed for about 60,000 people at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.; the article linked Hetfield’s remarks to attention around that set.

At a glance
reportWhen: Reported after Turnstile’s recent Natio…
The developmentJames Hetfield said Turnstile turned down Metallica’s offer to tour together.

A Rare Tour Offer Declined

The exchange offers a glimpse of how established metal acts may seek out newer or stylistically distinct bands for their touring lineups, while also showing that an invitation from a major group does not necessarily fit another band’s plans. In this case, Hetfield’s account is that Turnstile chose to remain on its own schedule because it was already doing well independently.

For Turnstile, the reported decision puts the focus on the group’s ability to draw attention without joining Metallica’s tour. For Metallica, Hetfield’s remarks show public support for the band and its live reputation. The comments do not establish that a tour was formally announced or that negotiations reached a particular stage; they describe an offer and a refusal as Hetfield recounted them.

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Turnstile and Metallica’s Tour Links

The immediate backdrop was Turnstile’s performance at Washington’s National Mall, which Stereogum reported drew about 60,000 attendees. The report described the set as taking place roughly a week before publication, but the supplied material does not provide its calendar date or further event details.

There has also been earlier contact between the artists. Stereogum reported that Hetfield had been spotted side-stage at a Turnstile show a couple of years earlier and that he said the groups had hung out. Metallica has also brought hard-core acts onto its touring itinerary: earlier this year, Knocked Loose opened for the European leg of Metallica’s M72 World Tour, according to the report. That is relevant precedent, but it does not mean Turnstile was offered the same slot or a place on that tour.

““We wanted to get them on tour, and they said no, they’re doing good on their own already.””

— James Hetfield, speaking on SiriusXM’s Riff Life

Offer Details Remain Unreported

The report does not identify which Metallica tour Turnstile was invited to join, when the offer was made, or what role and dates were discussed. It also does not include a direct statement from Turnstile confirming Hetfield’s account or explaining the band’s decision. The reason given—being in a good position on its own—is Hetfield’s description of the response, not a fuller account from Turnstile.

It is also unclear whether the invitation involved a specific run of shows, a future tour, or an informal discussion. No announcement of a planned Metallica–Turnstile appearance was reported, and Hetfield’s comments do not indicate that the bands have agreed to work together later.

No Joint Tour Announced

There is no confirmed next step for the declined offer in the source report. Readers can expect further detail only if Metallica, Turnstile, or the show provides additional information about when the invitation was made or what was proposed. Until then, the confirmed development is limited to Hetfield’s public account and his praise of the band.

Turnstile’s touring plans and Metallica’s future support acts were not detailed in the report. The bands could collaborate on a later tour, but no such plan has been announced in the available information.

Key Questions

Did Turnstile turn down an offer to tour with Metallica?

James Hetfield said that it did. On SiriusXM’s Riff Life, he said Metallica wanted Turnstile on tour and that the group declined because it was doing well on its own. The supplied report does not include a separate statement from Turnstile.

Which Metallica tour was Turnstile invited to join?

The tour was not identified. The report does not give the offer’s date, schedule, or proposed role for Turnstile.

Why did Turnstile say no?

Hetfield said the band was “doing good on their own already.” The report does not provide a direct explanation from Turnstile, so that wording should be understood as Hetfield’s account of the response.

What did Hetfield say about Turnstile?

He praised the group’s live performances, encouraged people to see it in concert, and described its members as “super cool” and “super fun.”

Source: stereogum.com

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