The band are appearing at the Principality Stadium on Sunday, but before and after that, their fans are doing something amazing
22:36, 25 Jun 2026Updated 06:26, 26 Jun 2026
Metallica fans have booked slots to donate blood after the band teamed up with Welsh Blood Service(Image: John Myers)
Metallica fans are doing something incredible ahead of the band’s gig at the Principality Stadium this weekend. Wherever the band appear, they arrange something to give back to the community they are in and this time, they have joined up with the Welsh Blood Service.
As part of the European leg of Metallica’s M72 World Tour, the band is in Wales’ capital on June 28 and in the days before and after the Welsh Blood Service is hosting special blood donation sessions around the band’s tour stop in Cardiff.
Events started a week before the gig, and will continue until a week after to give as many donors the chance to take part as possible. The take-up has been huge, with a massive number of sessions booked up already.
James Tallica Jr, who donated blood through the Welsh Blood Service blood drive ahead of Metallica’s gig in Cardiff(Image: Welsh Blood Service)
This week is the highest uptake of the year so far for donations thanks to the campaign.
It is the first time blood services across the UK have worked alongside a band on this scale to promote blood donation.
Donor sessions are taking place all over south Wales, and many slots have been snapped up by fans eager to take part.
The first sessions were on June 22 and more than 40 are planned including locations in Barry, Pontyberem, Llansamlet, Chepstow, Cardiff and Brecon.
Mark was one of those there to donate. It was his 15th donation, he said, after his wife needed a transfusion during her pregnancy. “I felt obligated to give but originally, I thought I couldn’t give because of my tattoos. I found out then its only four months you have to wait until you can give again so I’ve given pretty much every 12 weeks since.
“I think Metallica getting behind the blood drive is fantastic because I know there’s about 1,000 people just because of Metallica’s partnership. Being in a band myself, we sing a few Metallica songs, so I really had to give today, didn’t I.” Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
The teams have also had a visit from fellow fan James Tallica Jr, his real name, who was a first time donor.
A spokesperson from Metallica said: “Wherever we go on tour, we want to give something meaningful back to the communities that welcome us. We’ve seen in the United States and Australia how working with blood services can help raise awareness of blood donation and support patients, and we’re excited to bring that same approach to the UK.
“Partnering with blood services is about encouraging people to look out for one another and supporting those who rely on donated blood every day. It is a simple act that can make a powerful difference.”
Andrew Harris, from Welsh Blood Service said the hope is that fans donate as part of this blood drive, but that they keep doing so. “This ends on July 3, but the need for blood carries on so we’re hoping people give blood in the future,” he said.
Director of the Welsh Blood Service Alan Prosser said: “This is a truly unique moment for blood donation in Wales and across the UK. Partnering with a band of Metallica’s reach allows us to connect with new audiences and shine a spotlight on the ongoing need for blood.
“In a sense, we all have a little bit of ‘metal’ in our blood – but more importantly, we all have the ability to help save lives by choosing to donate.
“Donation is always voluntary and unpaid here in the UK, but every person who chooses to give makes a real difference to patients and families in need. We’re proud to be part of a collaboration that brings people together to save lives.”