Lars Ulrich recently revealed how his child custody bаttle affected Metallica’s touring schedule

Lars Ulrich recently shared insights into how his child custody arrangements influenced METALLICA’s touring schedule during an appearance on comedian Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast.

Ulrich explained that over the past decade or so, the band has adopted a touring strategy that involves playing shows for no longer than two weeks at a stretch. This change, he noted, was motivated by the need to establish boundaries around their tour commitments. In the past, METALLICA would often undertake grueling schedules, performing three or four shows consecutively with minimal breaks, followed by extended periods on the road spanning continents.

However, Ulrich revealed that a pivotal moment occurred around 15 years ago, coinciding with the release of the documentary “Some Kind Of Monster.” During this time, he was embroiled in a child custody bаttle, which necessitated a significant adjustment to his touring lifestyle. With a 50-50 custody arrangement in place, Ulrich found himself committed to spending uninterrupted time with his children. This situation left no room for extended touring periods away from home.

To accommodate his custody responsibilities, METALLICA embarked on a global tour that adhered strictly to the two-week rule. Ulrich described a typical scenario where he would drop his children off at school on Monday morning and then immediately fly out for a week of shows across America. By Sunday night, he would return home, ensuring a full week with his kids. Remarkably, the band maintained this schedule for two years, ensuring that no member was away from home for more than two weeks at a time.

Ulrich had previously touched upon this lighter touring schedule in a 2017 interview with The Ringer, emphasizing the importance of maintaining sanity and avoiding burnout. He elaborated on the logistics of their touring strategy, which often involved basing themselves in specific cities for short periods to minimize travel fatigue.

The drummer acknowledged that METALLICA’s commercial success played a crucial role in their ability to dictate their touring terms. With financial independence came the freedom to prioritize family time and mentаl well-being over extensive touring commitments.

Ulrich’s personal life has also evolved alongside his career. He has two sons, Myles and Layne, from his previous marriage to Skylar Satenstein, as well as a son named Bryce with actress Connie Nielsen. Following his previous marriages, Ulrich married model Jessica Miller, adding another dimension to his family dynamic.

Notably, Ulrich’s sons Myles and Layne have pursued their musical passions, forming a band called TAIPEI HOUSTON, further adding to the musical legacy of the Ulrich family.