Metallica and Iron Maiden will headline the UK’s Sonisphere Festival next summer.
The July 4-6 event will mark the very first time both bands have appeared together on a British bill, and the only concerts either act will play in the U.K. next year.
Metallica headlined the first Sonisphere UK in 2009 and Maiden played the 2010 weekend.
“This just works on all fronts,” says drummer Lars Ulrich. “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 mindf***. 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.”
“Add the cherry on top…co-headlining with Iron Maiden, who are a big reason that Metallica exists in the first place,” Ulrich added. “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!!!”
As for Iron Maiden, the Sonisphere appearance will mark the final show of the band’s "Maiden England" world tour, which launched in June 2012. By the time it’s over, the group will have played 102 shows in 32 countries to well over two million fans.
"We all grew up in England well aware of the importance of the legendary concerts at Knebworth, and scarily, it all seems quite recent!,” says Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson. “Without being clichéd, it really is an honor 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, [Led] Zeppelin, The [Rolling] 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 backyard,” he continued. “We have tweaked the 'Maiden England' setlist 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."
Sonisphere will announce more bands for the 2014 event soon, including the third headliner for the weekend.
Event information and ticket details are available at sonisphere.co.uk
See also:
Metallica fans to pick setlist for European shows
Metallica post rare Garage Inc. video press package
Metallica: Through The Never soundtrack coming to vinyl
Metallica feature film Through The Never coming to DVD