Sonisphere Festival 2011 Preview
For the traditional rock fan, there is always a quandary as to what festival to attend. Reading? Fast becoming very diverse, with many indie bands that may not cater to tastes. Download? Over commercialised. Rock AM Ring? The hassle of getting to Germany. With this is mind, the saviour has arrived in the form of Sonisphere Festival, a rock juggernaut that is returning to Knebworth park in July.
Billed as the world largest touring festival, Sonisphere has gained a formidable live reputation in Europe, lending to its tendency to attract massive bands. This year’s event, taking place from the 8th-10th July, is no exception. In a festival exclusive that hasn’t been seen anywhere since the late 80’s, and certainly for the first time in the United Kingdom, Friday night’s main Apollo stage will be headlined by none other than the big four: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax.
Metallic drummer Lars Ulrich certainly seemed excited about the show, reminiscing with Metal Hammer magazine about the good times the Big 4 have had touring.
“As soon as the Big 4 gigs started rolling across Sonisphere Festivals in Eastern Europe last summer, we all felt we were part of something special. The vibe within the bands was more than anyone had anticipated and the vibe with the fans was so next level, it completely blew our minds…there was no way this should not happen again!!! So I am beyond psyched that the first Big 4 show in Western Europe will take place on the hallowed grounds of Knebworth, where so many unique and special gigs have happened over the years.”
For anyone who likes their rock just a little bit lighter, Sonisphere also has a pretty impressive handful of some of the brightest pop punk acts around, including All Time Low, Kids In Glass Houses, Sum 41 and home-grown heroes You Me At Six.
“We are really excited to play Sonisphere!” says YMAS frontman Josh Franceschi. “It’s going to be a lot of fun performing at such a great rock festival, and a true honour to be on before such a fantastic bands as Weezer and Biffy Clyro. For all you kids who can’t afford a ticket, I suggest you get down your local Tesco express and get a job, because it’s going to be big!”
Speaking of Biffy Clyro, many Sonisphere veterans have voiced concerns that the Ayrshire three piece are simply “not metal enough” to headline the Saturday night, despite having paid their due as a band who have toured for over 10 years.
Talking to exploremusic.com, Biffy frontman Simon Neil revealed that he is rather nervous about the size of the show. “It’s Metallica, the first night, then us, and then Slipknot the next night, I don’t know what the hell we’re doing on that one.
“But we’ve got Weezer on before us on our night, which is a dream come true. Weezer were one of our favourite bands growing up. I love Pinkerton. It just breaks my heart, I love it so much”
The rest of the lineup promises to equally as impressive, starring the likes of The Mars Volta, Limp Bizkit, Cancer Bats, Mastodon, Rolo Tomassi and Pulled Apart By Horses, spread over five stages. The festival also boasts an impressive comedy line-up, with the likes of Bill Bailey, Jarred Christmas and Jackass legend Steve-O providing the laughs to go along with what promises to be a weekend of once-in-a-lifetime metal.
Tickets can be purchased from the links mentioned on http://uk.sonispherefestivals.com/buy-tickets/, and are expected to be priced at around £180 for a 3 day pass.