What happens when you’re too metal for the festival circuit? The perspicacious among you may have already figured it out. You start your own festival, of course! That’s exactly what Ozzy Osbourne did. In 1996, Ozzfest launched in the United States to huge success, becoming an annual touring festival that ran until 2018.
From California to Chiba, London to Las Vegas, Ozzfest went everywhere, it seems. Well, apart from Birmingham, but that’s about to change. In the wake of Ozzy’s passing, speaking on the Osbournes’ podcast, Sharon has revealed plans to bring the festival back from the dead.
She said two dates have been planned for Ozzfest at Villa Park Stadium in 2027. The same venue held Black Sabbath’s ‘Back To The Beginning’ concert—featuring the likes of Anthrax, Alice in Chains, Pantera, Tool, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses and Metallica.
“Ozzfest is coming back, now you have to plan these things two years up front, so we’re looking at 2027, Aston Villa,” Sharon said. “We want to do two days at Aston Villa and then come to America. We want to hear from everyone where we should go in America.”
While details are scant, fans can expect “a lot of new young talent, because that’s what your dad would want.” On top of this, Sharon said she was “chipping away” at numerous projects behind the scenes—which may include a previously announced Ozzy museum in Birmingham. “The time to just sit and do nothing has gone and I’m better keeping busy.”
Less than a week ago, the Osbournes attended the BRIT Awards (Saturday, February 28) to see Ozzy posthumously awarded a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’. An all-star rock tribute performance of ‘No More Tears’—fronted by Robbie Williams—closed the show on the night.