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Sonisphere Festival sold out this year as each day 60,000 festival-goers from all across Europe made the pilgrimage to Knebworth. Purple Revolver was there to witness the first time the Metallica-led Big 4 show has appeared on these shores, Biffy Clyro’s first-ever major British festival headline performance and Slipknot’s triumphant and emotional return.
Sonisphere is set to return for its fourth year at Knebworth next year July 6th – 8th, with a limited amount of tickets going on sale today, Wednesday 13th July, at the same price as 2011 tickets. Any people who snap up the Early Bird tickets will also receive an exclusive T-shirt with one of the killer designs that Sonisphere is becoming increasingly infamous for.
In addition to the tens of thousands in attendance, nearly a million people (ONE MILLION PEOPLE) across the world watched the webcast, including half a million people who viewed Slipknot’s “heaviest show of the tour” online.
Sonisphere CEO Stuart Galbraith said: “I’ve been promoting rock festivals for 30 years and I can honestly say that this bill is one that I am most proud of. To say we’re happy is an understatement and we never dreamed we could come this far in just three years.”
Highlights of Sonisphere 2011 included comedian Bill Bailey’s “most exciting gig ever”; The Sisters of Mercy’s first UK festival show in 20 years; a reformed House of Pain celebrating their 20th anniversary, a rare UK festival performance from The Mars Volta; Parkway Drive playing with their guitarist in a wheelchair after he broke his leg just before the tour; and Jackass’s Steve-O’s debut UK stand-up performance.
The audience was arguably even more impressive. Having worked very closely again with Hertfordshire police, the weekend was free of any major incidents and there was a 300% reduction in tent crime and not a single car break in.
Metallica frontman James Hetfield probaby put it best on stage before their encore when he said: “You guys kick ass”.”
SONISPHERE 2012 will take place July 6th – 8th at KNEBWORTH.
Tickets are on sale from 9am Wednesday at www.sonispherefestivals.com
If you haven’t already seen it, check our review of the festival at : http://www.purplerevolver.com/bulletin/news/121700-sonsiphere-2011—review-and-pictures.html