How do you make a triumphant comeback for an event that’s been cancelled for the last two years running? Like this. Sonisphere Knebworth 2014 is very pleased to announce the return of Sonisphere to Knebworth Park in July 2014 with metal legends Metallica and Iron Maiden co-headlining a festival in the UK for the very first time!
After headlining at Download this year, Iron Maiden will be returning to Knebworth for the second time and flying the flag for British Heavy Metal as they have done throughout the majority of the forty years Knebworth has been hosting shows and festivals. But for the first time they’re teaming up with their US brothers in metal from Metallica, who have something very special up their sleeve.
The thrash legends are letting their fans vote to pick their set list on their 2014 European tour, which obviously includes Sonisphere Knebworth, with a “Metallica By Request” show, so there is the possibility of hearing literally any Metallica song you’ve dreamed of hearing over the years (yes, even “Mama Said!”). They’re also hinting that they’ll be playing some new material, as even with Metallica’s enormously long cycles between albums, come Summer of 2014 they’ll be about due to release a new record (we live in hope). Metallica tub thumper Lars Ulrich has had this to say on the matter:
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!!!
Full details of the Sonisphere Knebworth 2014 Festival can be found on their relaunched website at www.sonisphere.co.uk (with an extremely cool design for this years’ event to boot). If you want to head straight to the ticket page, it’s right here – https://sonisphere.co.uk/buy-tickets/. Further updates will obviously follow and Rocksins will bring them to our readers as soon as anything more is announced. Welcome back Sonisphere, we missed you!