Missing out on Black Sabbath‘s sold-out farewell concert doesn’t mean missing out on music history anymore. The legendary metal pioneers have announced that their monumental “Back to the Beginning” performance will be available worldwide via livestream, giving fans everywhere a chance to witness the original lineup’s final bow together.
The highly anticipated reunion show takes place July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, which is the band’s hometown. The concert will feature Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward performing together for the first time in two decades. According to Guitar.com, tickets for the physical event sold out in just 16 minutes, leaving countless fans disappointed.
Mercury Studios will produce the pay-per-view broadcast, the same company behind acclaimed music documentaries, such as “Metallica Saved My Life” and “One to One: John & Yoko.” Fans can purchase livestream access through backtothebeginning.com for £24.99 (approximately $29.99 plus taxes and fees in the US).
Fan Demand Drives Streaming Decision
The decision to offer global streaming came directly from overwhelming fan requests across social media platforms. Sharon Osbourne, who manages her husband’s career, explained the reasoning behind making the concert accessible worldwide.
“We had such an overwhelming demand from fans from around the globe, who couldn’t get tickets to the show, and they took to social media, pleading with us to broadcast a livestream of the show,” Sharon stated, per Kerrang. “Being this is such a historic event, we just couldn’t let them down.”
The streaming package offers more than just live access. Viewers will be able to watch the complete performance starting at 3 PM on show day. The entire concert will also remain available for on-demand viewing for 48 hours afterward. This extended access ensures fans in different time zones won’t miss the historic moment.
Kelly Sweeney, managing director of Mercury Studios, highlighted the significance of the event and their commitment to delivering it to a global audience. “Mercury Studios [is] incredibly proud to be involved in capturing this monumental milestone at Villa Park,” she said, according to Guitar.com. “Back To The Beginning will be an unforgettable experience, and our aim is to deliver this moment to fans worldwide, wherever they are, so they don’t miss out on seeing music history being made.”
Ozzy Promises Everything He’s Got
The 76-year-old Prince of Darkness has been battling Parkinson’s disease in recent years. However, he is ready to give fans an unforgettable final performance. During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s “Ozzy Speaks” show, Osbourne made a heartfelt promise to his devoted fanbase.
“By hook or by crook, I am going to make this [expletive] gig if it is the last thing I do,” Osbourne declared. “Well, it will be… but all I can say is I’m giving 120 percent.”
The concert lineup extends far beyond Black Sabbath’s reunion, featuring some of metal’s biggest names, including Metallica, Alice in Chains, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, Slayer, and Gojira. The “Back to the Beginning” title says it all, as the original Black Sabbath members are returning to their Birmingham roots where they first created their groundbreaking sound in the late 1960s.
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Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath Offer Global Access to Final Show