Metallica made waves in Blacksburg, and even a month later, the buzz hasn’t faded. Their electrifying performance at Lane Stadium is still the talk of the town—and rightly so. The band’s ability to draw a crowd is legendary, but this show felt especially significant, and it stands out amidst their global tour stops.
On a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, the concert became a hot topic. Rogan and his guests were visibly captivated as they watched clips of the concert intertwined with footage of game day at Virginia Tech. The energy in that stadium, especially during the unforgettable entrance music “Enter Sandman,” was palpable. Rogan reacted with an enthusiastic “Wooooooo” in true Ric Flair fashion, clearly savoring the sheer spectacle of the event and the crowd’s fervor.
In a moment of humor, someone likened the excitement in Blacksburg to a recent Metallica concert in Berlin, prompting comedian Shane Gillis to quip, “It’s Blacksburg, Virginia. They’re about to watch some mediocre football,” which drew laughter all around. While it was a light-hearted jab, there’s an underlying truth in the sentiment.
For dedicated Hokies fans, it’s hard not to feel that pang of disappointment when reflecting on the current state of the football program. Until Virginia Tech can consistently deliver the kind of thrilling performance that matches the spirit and passion of their entrance routine, mediocrity seems an unfortunate reality. The Hokies have an incredible atmosphere and history, but it’s clear they need to rekindle that fire on the field to align with the legendary experiences that their fans deserve.
