Global festival heads to Knebworth

The Sonisphere global festival will bring some of rock’s premier talent on August 1st and 2nd to the UK’s true home of rock, Knebworth. 60,000 fans will witness titans Linkin Park and one of the biggest rock acts of all time Metallica – headlining at the first ever Sonisphere - a full on weekend long camping festival!

"We're stoked to be touring England and Europe with Sonisphere”, said Metallica’s Lars Ulrich. “Summer festivals in Europe are what Metallica do best. We can't wait to see all of our fans over there."

Many other artists are to be added to the bill, with a few musical surprises - so watch this space.

Full festival line up will be announced in the coming weeks

Sonisphere comes from the creators of the legendary Monsters of Rock and Download Festivals. Their decades of experience in the organization and execution of quality concerts and music festivals will ensure that Sonisphere will be a cut above the rest.

Sonisphere is about quality. Rather than squeezing as many bands as possible onto multiple stages and forcing fans to choose between performers, Sonisphere will feature bands of the highest calibre performing on two alternate stages; meaning you won’t have to miss any music; thereby solving a recurring complaint from rock fans at other events. Sonisphere will also have all the usual festival madness, stalls, fun fairs, jugglers, fire eaters and general rock debauchery for a full on festival.

Not only is Sonisphere restoring Knebworth as the rightful home of rock but it will also become the first and only rock festival to tour internationally. In 2009, the festival will visit Holland, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Finland, ending its tour in the UK at Knebworth. From 2010, Sonisphere will break beyond Europe and become a truly global phenomenon

The legendary venue is synonymous with live music and has been home to some of the greatest, most memorable, history-making concerts of all time. From the world’s biggest rock and roll band The Rolling Stones to rock legends Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Genesis to Queen who performed their last show before the death Freddie Mercury, to Oasis who’s two shows made the biggest demand for concert tickets in British history.

This summer’s Sonisphere will mark 35 years since the first ever Rock show at Knebworth and with Donington Park’s traditional infield arena is being dug up and converted into an F1 venue for the British Grand Prix, the centre of the UK rock universe is set to shift to Knebworth once again.

John Jackson – Sonisphere Festival creator said:

“I am delighted that my vision of a truly global touring festival has become a reality. To launch at Knebworth, where I attended the first show there in 1974 headlined by US legends The Allman Brothers Band, is a dream come true. Sonisphere has arrived and is coming soon to your world.”

Over 100 major artists have played Knebworth since its inception in 1974 – it has been the scene of the greatest outdoor extravaganzas in musical history.

Campsite hours:
Thursday 3pm - early arrival campsite opens
Friday Midday - Main camp site and VIP campsite opens
Monday Midday - All campsites close

For all weekend and weekend camping tickets/ VIP camping and hotel packages / Travel packages /early arrival tickets /car park and campervan passes go to Sonispherefestivals.com.

Sonisphere festival takes place throughout Europe, finishing up at Knebworth House in the UK on August 1 and 2, 2009. Make sure you are part of history at this exceptional new festival.