12 of the Largest Metal Concerts of All Time, Ranked
When we talk about the power of music to gather masses, few genres do it quite like metal and rock. There’s something inherently communal about these concerts, a shared energy that pulses through the crowd, uniting everyone in a singular experience.
Over the years, several concerts have not just broken attendance records but have also created moments of history, etching themselves into the memories of those who were there and those who could only wish they were.
This list will rank the largest metal concerts of all time based on the total number of attendees present within it. Most of these numbers have been officially counted. However, there are some approximations that are pulled from reputable sources as well.
1. Rod Stewart at Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro (1994)
Band: Rod Stewart
Location: Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Date: December 31, 1994
Attendance: 4.2 million
On New Year’s Eve 1994, Rod Stewart performed a concert that would go down in history as one of the largest free live events ever held. The iconic Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was the stage for this monumental event, attracting an estimated 4.2 million people. The sheer scale of the audience was proof of Stewart’s global appeal and the universal language of music.
The beach, known for its beautiful sands and festive atmosphere, was transformed into a sea of people, all gathered to witness the rock legend perform. Stewart’s energetic performance, combined with the picturesque setting and the celebratory vibe of New Year’s Eve, created an unforgettable experience.
2. Monsters of Rock, Moscow (1991)
Band: Metallica (with AC/DC, Mötley Crüe, and others)
Location: Tushino Airfield, Moscow
Date: September 28, 1991
Attendance: 1.6 million
The Monsters of Rock festival in Moscow in 1991 was a landmark event, marking a moment of cultural exchange during a time of significant political change in Russia. Held at Tushino Airfield, the concert featured a lineup that included Metallica, AC/DC, and Mötley Crüe, among others. An estimated 1.6 million fans gathered, making it one of the largest rock concerts in history. The airfield, typically a place of military precision, was overtaken by the raw energy and power of rock and metal music.
The event was a concert for the ages, a symbol of the breaking down of barriers, both literal and metaphorical. The bands’ electrifying performances, combined with the sheer size of the crowd, created an exciting and united atmosphere
3. The Rolling Stones at Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro (2006)
Band: The Rolling Stones
Location: Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Date: February 18, 2006
Attendance: 1.5 million
Twelve years after Rod Stewart’s record-breaking concert, The Rolling Stones took to the same legendary Copacabana Beach for another massive free concert. On February 18, 2006, an estimated 1.5 million fans gathered to see the iconic band perform. The concert was part of the band’s “A Bigger Bang” tour and showcased their timeless appeal. The Stones’ performance on the sands of Copacabana was a spectacle of light, sound, and energy, captivating the enormous crowd from start to finish.
The event was a testament to the enduring popularity of The Rolling Stones and the universal appeal of rock music. The beach, once again, proved to be a magical backdrop for a concert of such epic proportions.
4. Toronto SARS Benefit / Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto (2003)
Band: The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Rush(and others)
Date: July 30, 2003
Location: Downsview Park, Toronto.
Attendance: 450,000
In response to the SARS outbreak that hit Toronto hard, a benefit concert dubbed “Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto” was organised to revive the city’s spirit and economy. Held at Downsview Park on July 30, 2003, the event featured a star-studded lineup including The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Rush, drawing an audience of 450,000 people. The park, typically a serene green space, was transformed into a vibrant hub of rock and roll. The concert not only provided much-needed economic stimulus but also demonstrated the healing power of music, bringing together people in solidarity and support for the city.
5. The Rolling Stones Havana Moon (2016)
Band: The Rolling Stones
Date: March 25, 2016
Location: Ciudad Deportiva de la Habana
Attendance: 500,000
On March 25, 2016, The Rolling Stones made history by performing a free concert in Havana, Cuba, an event that marked the first open-air concert in the country by a British rock band. The concert, titled “Havana Moon,” attracted around 500,000 people to the Ciudad Deportiva de la Habana. This historic event came at a time of thawing relations between Cuba and the Western world, symbolising a moment of cultural diplomacy. The Stones delivered a powerful performance that had the Cuban audience and viewers worldwide hooked. The concert displayed beautifully the universal language of rock music and its ability to transcend political and cultural boundaries.
6. Isle of Wight Festival (1970)
Band: Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Miles Davis(and others)
Date: August 26-31, 1970
Location: The Isle Of Wight
Attendance: 600,000 – 700,000
The Isle of Wight Festival of 1970 is often remembered as Britain’s answer to Woodstock. Held from August 26 to 31, this festival attracted between 600,000 to 700,000 attendees, making it one of the largest gatherings for a music event in history. The festival featured performances by some of the era’s most influential acts, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Miles Davis. The Isle of Wight, a picturesque location off the south coast of England, became the epicenter of the music world for those six days. The festival’s massive attendance and legendary performances cemented its place in rock history.
7. US Festival (1983)
Band: Multiple artists, including heavy metal and rock acts
Location: Glen Helen Regional Park, San Bernardino, California, USA
Date: Memorial Day Weekend, 1983
Attendance: Estimated over 670,000 across four days
The US Festival of 1983 was a monumental event in music history, conceived by Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak who aimed to unite people through music and technology. While not exclusively a metal concert, its “Heavy Metal Day” featured a lineup of some of the biggest names in rock and metal, including Van Halen, Scorpions, and Judas Priest. The festival attracted a staggering number of attendees, drawn by the promise of seeing their rock heroes perform on an unprecedented scale.
The vast area of Glen Helen Regional Park was transformed into a sea of fans, creating a vibe of exhilaration and freedom. The success of the event went a long way to show the universal appeal of rock and metal during the early ’80s, showcasing the genre’s ability to draw massive crowds.
8. Woodstock Festival (1969)
Band: Multiple artists, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Jefferson Airplane
Location: Bethel, New York, USA
Date: August 15–18, 1969
Attendance: Over 400,000
Woodstock has become synonymous with the counterculture movement of the 1960s, a beacon of peace, love, and music. Though not exclusively a metal festival, its lineup included acts that would go on to influence the genre significantly. Held on a dairy farm in Bethel, New York, Woodstock drew an audience far beyond expectations, creating an iconic moment in music history.
The vibe of Woodstock was one of unity and freedom, a peaceful protest against the turbulent times. The sheer number of attendees, coupled with the legendary performances, cemented Woodstock’s place in the annals of music history as a pivotal moment that transcended the concert itself.
9. Bruce Springsteen in East Berlin (1988)
Band: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Location: East Berlin, Germany
Date: July 19, 1988
Attendance: Approximately 300,000
While Bruce Springsteen is not a metal artist, his 1988 concert in East Berlin holds a special place in rock history, symbolising a moment of cultural and political significance. Playing to around 300,000 people in a divided city, Springsteen’s performance became a rallying cry for freedom and change, preceding the fall of the Berlin Wall by just over a year.
The concert’s massive attendance and the charged atmosphere highlighted the power of music as a unifying force, transcending barriers both physical and ideological. Springsteen’s message of hope and solidarity resonated deeply with the audience, making this one of the most memorable concerts of all time.
10. Download Festival (2013)
Band: Headliners included Slipknot, Iron Maiden, and Rammstein
Location: Donington Park, Leicestershire, England
Date: June 14–16, 2013
Attendance: Over 100,000
Download Festival has become a pilgrimage site for metal fans worldwide, and the 2013 edition was no exception. With a lineup that read like a who’s who of rock and metal, including Slipknot, Iron Maiden, and Rammstein, the festival attracted fans in droves. Donington Park, with its rich history of hosting rock events, provided the perfect backdrop for a weekend of headbanging and mosh pits. The festival’s atmosphere was electric. The performances on the night went a long way to show the enduring appeal of heavy metal and its ability to bring together fans from all walks of life in celebration of loud, powerful music.
11. Ozzfest (1999)
Band: Black Sabbath, Rob Zombie, Slayer, and more
Location: Touring festival, various locations
Date: Summer 1999
Attendance: Varied by location, with some shows drawing tens of thousands
Ozzfest 1999 solidified the festival’s reputation as a cornerstone of the metal calendar. Curated by Ozzy Osbourne and featuring a lineup that included Black Sabbath’s reunion, the festival was a travelling celebration of metal’s past, present, and future. The 1999 edition saw the festival reach new heights of popularity, with packed venues and an electrifying atmosphere that showcased the genre’s diversity and vitality. Ozzfest’s model of bringing together legendary acts with emerging talent created a dynamic experience that resonated with fans across the country, reinforcing metal’s place in the mainstream.
12. Wacken Open Air (2014)
Location: Wacken, Germany
Date: July 31 August 2, 2014
Attendance: Approximately 75,000
Wacken Open Air is the pinnacle of metal festivals, drawing fans from all corners of the globe to a small village in Germany. The 2014 edition was particularly notable, with around 75,000 attendees converging on the festival grounds. Wacken’s appeal lies not just in its lineup, which annually features a who’s who of metal royalty, but also in its sense of community.
The festival transforms the area into a metalhead’s paradise, where the air vibrates with the sound of guitars, and the spirit of camaraderie fills the space. The 2014 lineup boasted an array of bands across the metal spectrum, ensuring there was something for every type of metal fan.
The festival’s ability to attract such a vast crowd year after year speaks to the universal language of metal music.
