Full Breakdown
Metallica Defies Principality Stadium Ban to Perform Tom Jones’ “Delilah”
6/29/2026, 11:56:16 PM
Defiant Performance at Principality Stadium
On June 28 2026, Metallica’s “M72 World Tour” stop in Cardiff, Wales, featured a mid-set “Kirk and Rob Doodle” in which guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo covered Tom Jones’s 1968 hit “Delilah.” The rendition occurred eight songs into the set, immediately after “Fuel,” and was met with a full-stadium sing-along despite the song’s official prohibition at the venue.
History of the “Delilah” Ban
“Delilah” had long served as an unofficial anthem for Welsh rugby, frequently played during intermissions at Principality Stadium. In 2015, stadium officials removed the track from the halftime playlist after criticism of its violent narrative. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) escalated the restriction in 2023, banning choirs from performing the song at international matches and reaffirming the ban for all pre-match entertainment.
Key Stakeholders
- Metallica – International heavy-metal band, currently on a 24-date “Life Burns Faster” residency at Las Vegas’s Sphere after the UK leg.
- Kirk Hammett & Robert Trujillo – Metallica members responsible for the “doodle” cover segment.
- Tom Jones – Welsh singer whose original recording of “Delilah” is the subject of the ban.
- Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) – Governing body that publicly condemns domestic violence and enforces the ban.
- Principality Stadium management – Venue authority that issued the 2023 ban on choir performances of the song.
Timeline of Restrictions
- 1968 – Tom Jones releases “Delilah.”
- 2015 – Principality Stadium removes “Delilah” from its halftime playlist.
- 2023 – WRU bans choirs from performing “Delilah” at rugby internationals; stadium spokesperson reiterates the ban.
- June 28 2026 – Metallica performs the song during their Cardiff concert.
Official Statements & Responses
The WRU reiterated its stance that “the WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind.” A Principality Stadium spokesperson confirmed that “‘Delilah’ will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals” and noted that the organization had consulted subject-matter experts before maintaining the restriction. Metallica offered no public comment on the decision, framing the cover as part of their routine “doodle” tribute to local artists.
Criticism & Opposition
Tom Jones publicly opposed the ban, telling audiences in 2023, “You can’t stop us singing ‘Delilah.’” He later added, “They may stop the choir from singing it, but they haven’t stopped the crowd.” Jones’s remarks highlight a broader cultural tension between preserving traditional fan chants and addressing the song’s violent lyrics.
On-the-Ground Reports
Video footage shared on social media captured the crowd joining Trujillo’s lead vocals, creating a “rousing sing-along” that persisted despite the venue’s policy. Attendees appeared unaware of the ban, treating the performance as a spontaneous celebration of a Welsh classic.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the ban’s inception: some cite a 2015 removal from the halftime playlist, while others describe a 2023 ban specifically targeting choir performances. No official clarification has been issued to reconcile these timelines, leaving the exact scope of the prohibition ambiguous.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You can’t stop us singing ‘Delilah.’ Can you imagine… Who was the man who didn’t want us to sing ‘Delilah’?” — Tom Jones, Welsh singer
- “We have previously sought advice from subject matter experts on the issue of censoring the song and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters because of its subject matter.” — Principality Stadium spokesperson (via WRU)
- “The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind.” — Welsh Rugby Union
- “She stood there laughing / I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more.” — lyric from Tom Jones’s “Delilah.”
- “They may stop the choir from singing it, but they haven’t stopped the crowd,” — Tom Jones
What’s Next
Metallica will conclude their UK run with shows at London Stadium on July 3 and 5 2026 before launching a 24-date residency at Las Vegas’s Sphere later in the year. The WRU has indicated ongoing monitoring of venue policies, suggesting that future performances of “Delilah” at Principality Stadium will remain subject to review.
