Watch Metallica perform rarities at 2024 Helping Hands event in Los Angeles

Robert Trujillo, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett of Metallica pose onstage during Metallica's All Within My Hands Foundation Presented by the Helping Hands Concert And Auction 2024 at YouTube Theater on December 13, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
(Image credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images))

Metallica performed rarities and welcomed special guests for acoustic and electric sets at their fourth Helping Hands Concert and Auction in Los Angeles.

The fundraiser took place at the YouTube Theater last night (Friday, December 13) and was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

As well as the two performances from the thrash metal giants, attendees were also treated to a set by Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Kenny Aronoff.

The event raises money for the Metallica's All Within My Hands foundation, which supports workforce education, disaster relief and the fight against hunger.

All of the proceeds from the show and associated auction will benefit the charity and go directly to those in need.

Metallica's five-song acoustic set included Low Man's Lyric, the first time they have performed that track since 1998, as well as covers of Diamond Head's Helpless and Bachman-Turner Overdrive's Away From Home.

Avi Vinocur and classically-trained duo SistaStrings joined Metallica on stage for the acoustic set.

When they plugged in, James Hetfield and co included a rare outing for The Unforgiven II and performed Fuel with a new arrangement.

They were joined by Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament for a performance of Hit The Lights.

Hetfield talked about the All Within My Hands project on an episode of The Metallica Report earlier this year.

He said: "There is something fantastic about that. It goes against everything that humans are — 'I need this. You give me that. I need to take this.' Especially growing up in a band that was struggling, fighting for the only towel in the motel, or whatever it is, or 'there's a can of food there. I better get mine or else.'

"Just that sparseness mentality and having that key unlock it to be completely the opposite. Out of everything you've learned, despite everything I've learned, the corniest saying 'it's better to give than receive' is so true."

Metallica 2024 Helping Hands setlist

Acoustic

01. Low Man's Lyric
02. Helpless
03. Away From Home
04. If Darkness Had A Son
05. Nothing Else Matters

Electric

06. Orion
07. The Shortest Straw
08. Until It Sleeps
09. Screaming Suicide
10. The Unforgiven II
11. Fuel
12. Hit The Lights (with Jeff Ament)
13. Master Of Puppets

Master of Puppets- Metallica Helping Hands concert 12/13/24 - YouTube Master of Puppets- Metallica Helping Hands concert 12/13/24 - YouTube
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Hit the Lights - Metallica featuring Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam - Helping Hands concert - 12/13/24 - YouTube Hit the Lights - Metallica featuring Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam - Helping Hands concert - 12/13/24 - YouTube
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Metallica If Darkness Had a Son with SistaStrings, live debut of acoustic rendition) 12/13/24 - YouTube Metallica If Darkness Had a Son with SistaStrings, live debut of acoustic rendition) 12/13/24 - YouTube
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The Unforgiven II - Metallica Helping Hands concert - December 13, 2024 - YouTube The Unforgiven II - Metallica Helping Hands concert - December 13, 2024 - YouTube
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Orion - Metallica Helping Hands concert December 13, 2024 - YouTube Orion - Metallica Helping Hands concert December 13, 2024 - YouTube
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Stef wrote close to 5,000 stories during his time as assistant online news editor and later as online news editor between 2014-2016. An accomplished reporter and journalist, Stef has written extensively for a number of UK newspapers and also played bass with UK rock favourites Logan. His favourite bands are Pixies and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Stef left the world of rock'n'roll news behind when he moved to his beloved Canada in 2016, but he started on his next 5000 stories in 2022.