Headed South for some Metallica action

Mumbaiites are headed to Bangalore to watch the American heavy metal band perform its debut concert in the country.

Jayprakash Nautiyal was worried about killing time on his 20-hour bus journey to Bangalore to watch his favourite band Metallica perform live at the Palace Ground on Sunday. But the journey turned into a head-bangers' party as half the bus was packed with rock fans headed to the concert.

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"One of them had a guitar and we instantly started jamming," said the 23-year-old private tutor from Bhandup.

The cancellation of Friday's concert at Gurgaon hasn't dampened city headbangers' hopes. Hundreds are headed to Bangalore to watch the American heavy metal band perform its debut concert in the country.

Supriya Joshi, a photographer from the city said she was "extremely nervous" after she saw angry fans breaking equipment at Leisure Valley in Gurgaon after the concert was abruptly cancelled on Friday. The 25-year-old boarded a train to Bangalore on Saturday morning with her sister Priyanka. "We were among the first ones to book our tickets online. I am praying that things go as planned," said Joshi.

Architecture student Kushal Thadeshwar had planned to take a flight to Bangalore, but at the last minute decided to get adventurous. The 23-year-old and his three friends hopped into a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and drove down for the concert. "I love rock music and driving. This was a good time to mix both," said Thadeshwar.

Late planners were frantically calling favours from friends or posting ticket requests on social networking sites. "I am prepared to take a late night flight to Bangalore if someone assures me entry to the concert. I do not mind spending a bomb on the airfare," said Gopal Seth, a wine merchant.