Metallica’s “Whiskey in the Jar” — Tampa, FL (June 8, 2025)

Metallica’s “Whiskey in the Jar” has always had a strange kind of magic in the setlist: it’s a cover, it’s a singalong, it’s a fist-pumping barroom anthem, yet it somehow lands with the same authority as their originals. On June 8, 2025 in Tampa, Florida, that magic felt especially sharp because the band dropped it into a massive stadium night that was already built around momentum, contrast, and that M72 feeling of “anything can happen next.”

That Tampa show took place at Raymond James Stadium, and it was Night Two of Metallica’s two-date stop. The M72 concept has trained fans to expect variety, because the tour’s “No Repeat Weekend” idea is built around different setlists across two nights in the same city. So by the time June 8 arrived, the crowd energy had a second-night edge: people weren’t just hyped, they were curious, comparing notes, and waiting for the surprise slots that make each show feel like its own story.

In Tampa on June 8, “Whiskey in the Jar” showed up deep into the set, which made it feel like a reward rather than a warm-up. By then, the audience had already been through heavy openers, big choruses, and long emotional stretches, so when that instantly recognizable riff kicked in, it felt like a collective release. The timing gave the song a special role, transforming it into a shared celebration rather than just another track.

What makes “Whiskey in the Jar” so perfect for a stadium is how fast it unites people. Even fans who don’t know every Metallica deep cut know this melody and this chorus. The rhythm is simple, the hook is undeniable, and the singalong effect hits immediately. In a venue as huge as Raymond James Stadium, that turns thousands of separate voices into one massive, roaring choir.

There’s also something timeless about the song’s story. It’s about betrayal, defiance, and survival, themes that run deep in Metallica’s own catalog. That’s why the song never feels out of place when they play it. Even though it’s a traditional tune that predates the band by generations, it fits naturally alongside their own material, because it carries the same emotional backbone of resistance and grit.

The M72 tour structure adds another layer to this. With different songs on each night, fans come in knowing they’re witnessing a unique version of the weekend. On June 8, the placement of “Whiskey in the Jar” helped shape the emotional arc of the show. It arrived just when the crowd needed a moment of light and unity before the band pushed forward into heavier, more intense territory.

Metallica’s relationship with this song goes back decades, and it shows every time they perform it. They don’t treat it like a novelty or a joke; they play it with the same seriousness and commitment they bring to their own classics. That attitude is what keeps it feeling alive instead of dated, especially in a live setting where authenticity is everything.

Live, the song stretches out beyond its studio form. The extra length gives space for crowd response, for riffs to breathe, and for the chorus to echo back from every corner of the stadium. In Tampa, that created a moment where the band and the audience were locked together, feeding off each other’s energy in a way that recordings can never fully capture.

There’s a joy to this performance that stands out. Even in a set filled with dark, heavy material, “Whiskey in the Jar” brings a grin to faces. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it invites everyone to be part of the show, not just spectators. That balance between fun and force is part of what makes Metallica’s live reputation so strong.

For many fans, this song is also a bridge to older rock traditions. It connects Metallica to Thin Lizzy and to folk roots that go back even further. Hearing it in a modern stadium with one of the biggest metal bands in the world creates a feeling of history collapsing into the present, where centuries-old melodies meet towering amplifiers and massive crowds.

The Tampa crowd clearly understood that. You could feel it in the way people sang every word, in the way the chorus rolled across the stadium like a wave. It wasn’t just a performance being watched; it was something being lived together, a moment that belonged to everyone in the building.

By the time the song ended, it had done its job. It refreshed the audience, lifted spirits, and set the stage for the final stretch of the concert. That’s the power of a well-placed song in a carefully crafted setlist: it can change the entire emotional temperature of the night.

Metallica has always been masters of that kind of pacing, and June 8, 2025 in Tampa was another example. “Whiskey in the Jar” wasn’t just thrown in—it was chosen, timed, and delivered with purpose, making it one of those moments people would talk about long after the show ended.

Looking back, it’s easy to see why fans remember this performance so vividly. It combined nostalgia, energy, and that unmistakable Metallica presence into a few unforgettable minutes. It reminded everyone why this song, of all covers, has become such a permanent and beloved part of their live identity.

In the end, “Whiskey in the Jar” in Tampa was more than just a crowd-pleaser. It was a reminder of how Metallica turns even a traditional tune into something massive, emotional, and uniquely their own, proving once again why their live shows remain some of the most powerful experiences in rock and metal.