Metallica just wrapped up touring in South America, and the band recently had a super unique occurrence in the crowd at their show in Curtiba, Brazil when a fan gave birth during their set. Tattoo artist Joice M. Figueiró was seated in the accessible/disabled section of Estádio Couto Pereira. At 39 weeks pregnant, she felt fine during opening acts Ego Kill Talent and Greta Van Fleet but reportedly started having contractions when Metallica arrived on stage.
Her water broke on the way to the outpatient clinic at the show and “Luan Figueiró came into the world on 05/07/2022 at 23:15 shaking all the metal structures”, she wrote on Instagram. After learning the news, Metallica frontman James Hetfield awesomely called Figueiró to congratulate her.
At Metallica’s final South American show in Belo Horizonte, Hetfield also shared a vulnerable and touching moment with his bandmates and the crowd. Before performing “Sad But True,” Hetfield commented on the recent birth at their show, and then revealed he actually hadn’t been in the best of spirits prior to the gig.
“So, I gotta tell you, I wasn’t feeling very good before I came out here,” Hetfield said. “(I was) Feeling a little bit insecure. ‘I’m an old guy. I can’t play anymore.’ All this bullsh*t that I tell myself in my head.” Hetfield then motioned to his bandmates. “So, I talked to these guys, and they helped me. Simple as that. They gave me a hug. Said, ‘Hey, if you’re struggling on stage, we got your back.’ And I’ll tell you, that means the world to me.”
After saying that, a visibly emotional Hetfield embraced the rest of the band to massive applause from the crowd. “And seeing you out there, I am not alone,” Hetfield added. “And neither are you.”
The metal world has been reeling from the apparent suicide death of vocalist Trevor Strnad of The Black Dahlia Murder, and mental health awareness has been at the forefront of heavy music fans as of late. If there can be any fraction of a silver lining to Strnad’s death, it’s that hopefully it inspires those struggling with their own mental health issues to reach out for help. Hetfield’s vulnerable and brave moment on stage can only help.
Recently, The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins also shared that Hetfield offered him support for his alcohol addiction. “I actually did a bit of touring with Metallica,” Hawkins said on his “Justin Hawkins Rides Again” YouTube show. “We played with them in Ireland and we played with them in Australia. James Hetfield could recognize in me that I might have been struggling a little bit with certain behaviors,” Hawkins said while making a drinking gesture with his hands. “He was really kind, he took me to the side and gave me his number and was like, ‘If you ever need to talk to anybody…’ Really supportive, an excellent person.”
