Metallica Covers Banned Song at Cardiff Show, Donates to Local Food Bank

Metallica performed Sunday, June 28, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, where bassist Robert Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett paid tribute to Welsh singer Tom Jones during their nightly "doodle" segment. The band covered Jones' 1968 hit "Delilah," a song banned from choir performances at the stadium during rugby matches since 2023 due to concerns over its violent lyrics.

The Welsh Rugby Union banned "Delilah" after reviewing the lyrics, which describe a man killing his wife after seeing her with another man. The union stated it condemns domestic violence and said the song's subject matter is upsetting to some supporters. Despite the ban, Tom Jones told fans at a Cardiff Castle concert in July 2023 to keep singing the song, saying, "They may stop the choir from singing it, but they haven't stopped the crowd. Keep on singing it - and I'll keep on singing it too."

During Metallica's first show in Wales in 30 years, Trujillo sang lead vocals on "Delilah" as the crowd joined in on the chorus. Metallica's "doodle" segment has previously featured covers of local artists, including Rammstein in Berlin, ABBA in Sweden, A-ha in Norway, the Pogues in Dublin and the Proclaimers in Glasgow.

After the Cardiff show, Metallica donated more than $26,000 to Cardiff Foodbank through their All Within My Hands foundation. The food bank said on Instagram that the donation will help replenish its warehouse and support about 1,000 people with the equivalent of 9,000 meals.

Metallica will play two shows at London Stadium on July 3 and July 5 before taking a summer break. The band's 24-date Life Burns Faster Sphere residency in Las Vegas begins Oct. 1.