NUCOAST CONCERTS AND LIVE NATION ANNOUNCE
Heavy metal pioneers Judas Priest are coming to Arena Pula
MAJOR EUROPEAN TOUR “FAITHKEEPERS”
August 25, 2026
Heavy metal pioneers and legendary British band Judas Priest are returning to perform for Croatian audiences. After more than two decades, they will take the stage on August 25, 2026, in the timeless setting of Arena Pula. One of the most influential bands in the history of the genre will arrive in Pula as part of their European “Faithkeepers” tour, presenting fans with a powerful live overview of a career spanning more than half a century.
Judas Priest rank among the most influential bands in heavy metal history. Their career, which has lasted for over fifty years, has played a crucial role in shaping the development of the entire genre. Formed in 1969 in Birmingham, a city widely regarded as the birthplace of heavy metal, the band quickly became synonymous with the genre’s signature sound. Over the decades, they have built a reputation as one of the most electrifying live acts on the scene. Their impact has been recognized with numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. During the 1980s, they became a global live phenomenon and headlined some of the world’s biggest festivals, such as Monsters of Rock, solidifying their status as one of metal’s most important institutions. Their influence extends beyond music itself, as Judas Priest also helped shape the visual identity of heavy metal by popularizing the iconic leather-and-studs aesthetic that has since become a defining symbol of metal culture.
The band’s latest release, their nineteenth studio album Invincible Shield, was issued in March 2024. It was met with widespread acclaim from both critics and fans, confirming that even more than five decades after their formation, Judas Priest remain one of the most powerful and relevant forces on the global metal scene. Their extensive discography includes a number of landmark albums, notably British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance, and Painkiller. These records feature timeless metal anthems such as Breaking the Law, Living After Midnight, and You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’, songs that have become essential parts of live setlists and the metal canon worldwide.
As part of the European leg of the “Faithkeepers” tour, Judas Priest will perform in numerous major cities across Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, France, and Spain, as well as at some of Europe’s biggest festivals. The tour kicks off in Germany at the end of July and continues across Europe throughout July and August. Their performance in Pula will offer audiences a rare opportunity to experience the energy and spectacle of one of the greatest metal bands of all time in the unique atmosphere of an ancient amphitheatre.
