This gal? Coming to Tacoma.
PETER KRAMER/AP

That Britney Spears comeback you've been reading and hearing about? Well, it's coming to Tacoma. The pop star's first arena tour in five years, dubbed the Circus Starring Britney Spears, will drop in on the Tacoma Dome on April 9, Dome organizers announced this morning. The tour will be in support of her long-awaited studio album, "Circus," and Pussycat Dolls will add support. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. this Saturday (Dec. 6).

Last night’s Metallica show was my first KeyArena concert since 53-year-old Seattle busker Ed McMichael, aka the Tuba Guy, was beaten to death by some jackasses he had the misfortune of running into near Seattle Center. I didn’t know the guy but, like thousands of concertgoers, grew accustomed to seeing him outside the venue before and after just about every concert. Some friends and fans left this memorial for him, which reminded me what a shame it was as I left last night's show.

Just got back from Metallica's big show at KeyArena. And for the record, the sound and set list were a bit better Nov. 1 in Portland. James Hetfield's vocals tended to get lost in the sound mix at times; and among my favorite classic tracks missing from the Seattle set were "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "And Justice for All." But whaddayagonnado? The band's got 25 years of tunes to choose from, and "Blackened" was a nice add, besides.

Speaking of the set list, I think I may be leaving one out that I can't recall, as I decipher my sloppy, in-the-dark handwriting. But this is most of what them Metallica boys played in Seattle, at any rate.

Metallica set list
KeyArena, Seattle
Dec. 1, 2008

That Was Just Your Life
The End of the Line
Creeping Death
Harvester of Sorrow
One
Broken, Beaten & Scarred
Cyanide
Sad But True
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
Wherever I May Roam
The Day That Never Comes
Master of Puppets
Blackened
Nothing Else Matters
Enter: Sandman

Encore:
Die Die, My Darling (Misfits)
Seek & Destroy

Opening acts: Lamb of God, The Sword