James Hetfield, the frontman of Metallica, recently shared an intriguing idea to enhance live performances. During a recent episode of ‘The Metallica Report’ podcast, Hetfield, aged 60, discussed his proposal aimed at making live shows more manageable. His suggestion? A microphone equipped with a built-in straw, allowing performers to hydrate while on stage. Hetfield expressed his belief that such an innovation could greatly benefit musicians during intense performances.

He elaborated on the challenges faced during performances, particularly when his hands are occupied with playing guitar riffs, making it difficult to handle the microphone. Hetfield also highlighted the issue of sound management, with multiple microphone stations needed to accommodate his movements on stage.

To address this, he proposed the idea of wearable technology that automatically activates the microphone when the performer is within a certain distance. This, he believes, would not only simplify the monitoring process for the sound engineer but also improve his own mobility on stage. The podcast episode also touched upon Metallica’s involvement in their first-ever Metallica Marching Band Competition, where they awarded a top prize of $75,000 to Auburn University’s marching band.