Full Metal Orchestra — Live at Spark Arena 2025
Recorded July 26, 2025
Spark Arena · Auckland · New Zealand
Featuring Jon Toogood, Seamus Johnson, Jennie Skulander, Milan Borich, Phil Rudd
Setlist
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“To see Full Metal Orchestra's debut in Auckland, with Phil Rudd and 29 musicians from the Auckland Philharmonia.”
Context
On July 26, 2025, Spark Arena hosts a debut that brings together two stages usually kept apart: the orchestra's and heavy rock's. Created by the teams behind Synthony and Come Together, Full Metal Orchestra unites 29 musicians from the Auckland Philharmonia, a five-piece band and guest singers.
Sarah-Grace Williams conducts the orchestra, while Jol Mulholland shares guitar duties with Brett Adams. The singers take turns: Jon Toogood handles Metallica and Black Sabbath; Jennie Skulander moves through Led Zeppelin, Tool and System of a Down. Phil Rudd sits behind the kit on Head Job and Back in Black, bringing his own history to the meeting.
It's a Long Way to the Top closes the show with Rudd, orchestra and bagpipes. The project continues after Auckland, with another performance announced for Christchurch in November. The Spark Arena recording arrives in digital format in October 2026, preserving a selection of eighteen numbers from that debut.
- Phil Rudd brings Head Job to the stage and plays drums on two AC/DC classics.
Lineup at this show
The lineup of this performance — not necessarily the current one.
- Sarah-Grace WilliamsConductor
- Auckland Philharmonia29-piece orchestra
- Jol MulhollandGuitar and musical direction
- Brett AdamsGuitar
- Matthias JordanKeyboards
- Mike HallBass
- Alistair DeverickDrums
- Jon ToogoodguestVocals on Enter Sandman, War Pigs and Master of Puppets
- Seamus JohnsonguestVocals on Sweet Child O' Mine, Whole Lotta Love, Back in Black and It's a Long Way to the Top
- Jennie SkulanderguestVocals on Immigrant Song, Nothing Else Matters, Aerials and Sober
- Milan BorichguestVocals on Paranoid, Change, Head Job, Raining Blood and Ace of Spades
- Phil RuddguestDrums on Head Job, Back in Black and It's a Long Way to the Top
Trivia
Phil Rudd also appears with Head Job, the title track of his solo work.
Jon Toogood plays an acoustic opening set before joining the Full Metal Orchestra cast.
The It's a Long Way to the Top finale brings together orchestra, band and bagpipes.
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