Shahra Walsh of Stuff.co.nz reports: South Island METALLICA fans are paying thousands of dollars to see the band in Auckland, New Zealand in October, despite airlines offering cheap flights.

Shelley Glassey, 32, of Invercargill, New Zealand, said she and husband Erin would pay about NZD $3,000 (approximately $2,140) to see their "No. 1 band" perform. "I've been a fan for 17 years. It's pretty important that we go. We're huge fans."

Costs included accommodation, concert tickets, airfares, meals and taxi fares. They also paid NZD $80 (approximately $57) to join a METALLICA fan club that made tickets available online in a pre-sale.

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