Black Sabbath’s farewell concert at Villa Park on July 5 continues to grow into one of the most significant live music events in recent memory. Newly confirmed additions to the already star-studded lineup include Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and the surviving members of Soundgarden.
The “Back to the Beginning” concert, a one-night-only celebration in the band’s hometown of Birmingham, will also feature Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Gojira, Anthrax, Halestorm, Billy Corgan, KoRn, and more. Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello will serve as musical director for the evening.
Ozzy Osbourne emphasized that the performances from both his solo band and Sabbath will be brief, calling it “a sample” rather than a full set. “We’re only playing a couple of songs each,” he told The Guardian, reaffirming that this will mark his final time on stage due to ongoing health issues.
The announcement follows Soundgarden’s recent induction into the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, making their inclusion particularly meaningful. Meanwhile, Tyler’s appearance comes as a rare return to the stage following a vocal injury that led to Aerosmith postponing their farewell tour.
The concert will be accompanied by a Paramount+ documentary, No Escape From Now, chronicling Osbourne’s health battles and the making of the final show.
This historic night in Birmingham is shaping up to be a powerful and emotional farewell to one of heavy music’s most enduring forces.