Sonishpere has announced its well awaited comeback this year with not one but two of the biggest metal bands in the world: Metallica and Iron Maiden. Taking place in Knebworth Park between 4th-6th July, Sonisphere will celebrate 40 years of rock!
Both Metallica and Iron Maiden have previously headlined a Sonisphere festival and are ready to rock its stage once more. Iron Maiden will finish their Maiden England world tour at the festival. Front-man Bruce Dickinson comments:
“We all grew up in England well aware of the importance of the legendary concerts at Knebworth, and scarily it all seems quite recent! Without being clichéd, it really is an honour and privilege to return to play there with the purpose of celebrating some of the finest moments in British rock history from inspirational bands like Pink Floyd, The Who, Zeppelin, The Stones and Genesis.
This will be the last concert of our ‘Maiden England’ Tour and it is very fitting to end a long and hugely enjoyable tour in our own back yard. We have tweaked the ‘Maiden England’ set list a bit to make it more representative of our whole 80s era and to give the fans something a bit different, especially as this will be the last of our three tours with an historical perspective. If you are there on the day it is highly likely that you will hear some of these songs played live for the very last time ever. So on an occasion like this, a celebration and the end of a chapter, you can be sure we will do our utmost to give our fans one hell of a show and go out with all guns blazing.”
Metallica are undoubtedly one of the most influential bands I their genre since their formation over three decades ago in 1981. Since then the band has toured the world and sold millions of records.
Next summer’s performance by Metallica will see the band delivering a Metallica By Request interactive setlist spanning their entire career.
Lars Ulrich says:
“This just works on all fronts:
Metallica and Knebworth, Metallica by Request, Metallica and Iron Maiden.
To be invited to co-headline the 40th anniversary celebration at the legendary Knebworth House is truly a mindfuck. Considering the iconic bands whose performances at Knebworth are part of rock and roll history, it’s not only a next level honor, but a somewhat humbling undertaking.
And what could be more fitting on our third Knebworth go-around than to play an all-request set, chosen entirely by the fans? We are soooo excited about the limitless possibilities of our friends picking what songs Metallica get to perform on this forthcoming evening from the nearly 140 songs we’ve recorded throughout our ride. Who knows what crazy challenges will be thrown our way? Maybe a song that has never been performed live before? Maybe a few deep cuts that haven’t been aired in ages? Maybe a couple of your toe-tapping favorites? An obscure cover? Whatever happens, it will be unique, it will be special, and it’s all up to you.
Add the cherry on top…co-headlining with Iron Maiden, who are a big reason that Metallica exists in the first place. Although we haven’t played together on the same day since 1988, this is the closest we’ve come for 25 years, and for all our fans who share the same love for Iron Maiden as we, the band members do, this will hopefully amount to what many rock fans would consider a dream bill.
BRING IT ON!!!”
