Metallica have called on their British fans to roll up their sleeves and donate blood ahead of the band’s upcoming UK tour dates, in what has been described as the first collaboration of its kind between UK blood services and a global music act. The Welsh Blood Service, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) in England, and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service are all backing the initiative, urging both existing donors to return and new donors to come forward.
A call to action for the final leg of the M72 World Tour
The heavy metal veterans, who are preparing to close out the European leg of their M72 World Tour in the UK, are asking supporters to “step up and be part of something bigger than the show”. The band are scheduled to perform at Glasgow’s Hampden Park on 25 June, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on 28 June, followed by two nights at the London Stadium on 3 and 5 July. The tour, supporting their 2023 album 72 Seasons, has featured a unique in-the-round stage design and a “No Repeat Weekend” concept with different setlists and support acts each night. It will conclude in London on the final date.
A portion of proceeds from every ticket sold throughout the tour has gone to local charities via Metallica’s “All Within My Hands” foundation, which was established in 2017 and has raised more than $20 million for education, food insecurity and disaster relief. Now the band are using their platform to focus on a different kind of support. “Wherever we go on tour, we want to give something meaningful back to the communities that welcome us,” a spokesperson for the band said. “Looking out for one another and supporting those who rely on donated blood every day is a simple act that can make a powerful difference.”
Why blood donation matters: constant need, life-saving impact
UK blood services stress that the need for donations is never-ending, not least because blood has a shelf life of only 35 days. Donated blood plays a critical role in treating trauma victims, cancer patients, new mothers, and people living with long-term conditions such as sickle cell disease. Gerry Gogarty, director of blood supply for NHSBT, said each donation can save up to three lives. “Metallica are experts at raising the volume – and by calling on their millions of fans around the world to become regular blood donors, they are helping to boost life-saving blood stocks too,” he added.
Recent figures from NHS Blood and Transplant reveal a growing appetite for donation in the UK. In the 2024-2025 period, 341,630 new blood donor registrations were recorded, a substantial increase from 224,658 in the previous year. The number of people making their first donation rose to 166,311, up from 119,371. While the majority of new registrations and first-time donations still come from the White demographic, there has been a notable increase from Asian and Black communities compared with the year before. However, NHSBT is actively working to recruit younger donors, particularly those aged 17 to 35, as 51 per cent of regular donors are now over 45.
The band have seen first-hand the impact such campaigns can have. In the United States, their work with the American Red Cross generated more than 2,000 blood and platelet donations. In Australia, a partnership with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood led to a record-breaking surge, with 8,800 people donating in the first week alone and nearly 2,000 first-time donors recruited. Those efforts often included limited-edition merchandise such as t-shirts as a thank-you to donors.
The band’s motivation: giving back to the communities that welcome them
Metallica say they are excited to bring the same approach to the UK after seeing the difference it made abroad. “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,” the band’s spokesperson said.
Alan Prosser, a spokesman for the Welsh Blood Service, described the partnership as “a truly unique moment for blood donation across the UK”. He added: “Partnering with a band of Metallica’s global reach allows us to connect with new audiences and shine a spotlight on the ongoing need for blood. Just as metal music runs strongly through Metallica fans’ veins so does the blood which gives the power to save up to three lives with every donation. Donation is always voluntary and unpaid in the UK, so 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.”
