DUBAI: Legendary heavy metal band Metallica is officially confirmed to headline the Saturday after-race concert at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025.
The band will take over the Etihad Park stage on December 6, right after the F1 qualifiers conclude. This marks the third time the group will perform in the UAE capital, having previously played Yas Island in 2011 and 2013.
Formed in 1981 by vocalist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, Metallica is joined by guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo. With nearly 125 million albums sold globally and anthems like Enter Sandman, Master of Puppets, and Nothing Else Matters, the band remains one of the most powerful forces in rock. Their upcoming performance in Abu Dhabi is part of the Yasalam after-race concert series, exclusive to Grand Prix ticket holders.
Metallica’s Middle East tour
Before landing in Abu Dhabi, Metallica will perform in Bahrain for the first time on December 3 at the Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre. Tickets for that show go on sale Thursday, April 24 at 4PM AST via the official website.
Fans in the UAE can secure race-day access through the Abu Dhabi GP website, with Golden Circle upgrades also available.
Metallica joins previously announced artists Benson Boone (December 5) and Katy Perry (December 7), with one more act still to be revealed for Friday’s slot. The annual after-race concerts are a major highlight of race weekend, blending motorsport with world-class entertainment.
"M72" world tour
Metallica’s 2025 Abu Dhabi concert is part of their monumental "M72" world tour, which began in Amsterdam in April 2023. The tour, featuring the unique No Repeat Weekend format, has drawn more than three million fans and includes sold-out performances across North America and Europe. Their latest run includes two major shows in Mexico City, where they played for over 250,000 fans.
In the US, the tour includes stops in Nashville, Tampa, and a long-awaited Bay Area return at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. A mix of headline stadium shows and festival appearances is scheduled, including a May slot at Sonic Temple in Columbus, Ohio. Supporting acts across the tour include Pantera, Limp Bizkit, Suicidal Tendencies, and Ice Nine Kills.
A legacy of giving
As always, proceeds from ticket sales support Metallica’s All Within My Hands foundation, which has raised over $15 million since its inception in 2017. The initiative supports vocational training, food insecurity relief, and disaster response programmes – including the Metallica Scholars Initiative, now in its sixth year.