The iconic heavy metal band Black Sabbath reunited for an unforgettable performance in the U.K., marking their first collaboration in two decades and their final concert ever featuring legendary frontman Ozzy Osbourne. This historic event took place at a packed stadium in Birmingham, culminating in an exhilarating four-song set by Sabbath. Prior to this, Osbourne delighted fans with a five-song solo set, while a diverse lineup of metal and hard rock icons entertained the audience throughout the day with both covers of Sabbath classics and original material.
With his signature flair, Ozzy Osbourne expressed his excitement to the crowd of 42,000, stating, “It’s so good to be on this fucking stage, you don’t have any idea.” As his iconic winged throne elevated him from beneath the stage, he proclaimed, “Let the madness begin!” This electrifying moment set the tone for the day, underscoring the passion and energy that permeated the venue as fans eagerly awaited the performances to unfold.
As previously hinted by Tony Iommi, the band accepted their physical limitations, delivering only four songs during their set. The legendary lineup, which included Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, performed classics such as “War Pigs,” “NIB,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid,” effectively closing out the ten-hour festival with a bang. Following their performance, the now-retired Osbourne was surprised with a celebratory cake as fireworks illuminated the sky above Villa Park, marking a poignant farewell to a remarkable career.
During his solo set, Ozzy Osbourne was joined by his long-time guitarist Zakk Wylde, performing beloved tracks including “I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Suicide Solution,” “Mama I’m Coming Home,” and “Crazy Train.” Before diving into “Mama,” Ozzy shared a heartfelt message of gratitude, revealing that he had been “laid up for six years” and expressing his deep appreciation to fans for their unwavering support throughout his challenging journey.
The festival featured an impressive array of rock legends, with performances from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Halestorm, Anthrax, Rival Sons, and Mastodon. Each band delivered sets ranging from two to seven songs, ensuring that at least one cover of a Sabbath or Osbourne track was included. Notably, GNR stood out with an impressive four Sabbath covers, demonstrating their deep respect for the band’s enduring legacy.
Among the supporting acts were a number of supergroups featuring prominent musicians such as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Billy Corgan, Ronnie Wood, Travis Barker, Sammy Hagar, Andrew Watt, Yungblud, Jonathan Davis from Korn, Nuno Bettencourt, and Chad Smith. The day’s lineup was curated by Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, while actor Jason Momoa hosted the event, even joining in the mosh pit to share in the excitement of the crowd.
(Continue scrolling to explore the full setlists from each performance of the day, complete with video highlights showcasing the most memorable moments.)
The concert not only captivated the 42,000 attendees at Villa Park in Birmingham but also reached a staggering 1.5 million fans worldwide who tuned in for the live stream, albeit with a two-hour delay, which caused some confusion among viewers eager to watch the event unfold in real-time.
Overall, the event ran smoothly with few noticeable issues, although one unexpected incident occurred when Disturbed frontman David Draiman faced mixed reactions from the crowd, receiving both boos and cheers. Draiman participated in an all-star jam, performing covers of “Sweet Leaf” and Osbourne’s solo hit “Shot in the Dark.” In a defiant moment, he asked the audience, “We gonna start this?” It was speculated that the booing stemmed from his vocal support for Israel and his recent controversial statements on social media.
While it was anticipated that Ozzy Osbourne would be seated for his final performance, it was nonetheless poignant. Although he managed to perform standing in 2022, by 2024, during his induction as a solo artist into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he had to sit. At 76 years old, he has battled recovery from spinal surgeries and Parkinson’s disease in recent years. On his SiriusXM radio show earlier this year, he reflected on his struggles, stating, “I can’t walk, but you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all my complaining, I’m still alive.”
In affirming that this truly marks his last live performance, Ozzy Osbourne conveyed to the Guardian, “I’d love to say ‘never say never’, but after the last six years or so … it’s time. I don’t want to die in a hotel room somewhere. I want to spend the rest of my life with my family.” His words resonated deeply with fans who have followed his legendary career.
Osbourne has also expressed a desire to honor both Sabbath’s legacy and his own career. The band released their groundbreaking debut album in 1970, which many fans consider the birth of heavy metal. After departing for a successful solo career in 1979, they reunited at various times, but the last performance featuring all four original members took place at the conclusion of the Ozzfest tour in 2005. Although three members participated in the final album “13” in 2013, Bill Ward was not part of those reunions post-2005.
Proceeds from this monumental concert will benefit Cure Parkinson’s, the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and the Birmingham-based Acorns Children’s Hospice, ensuring a lasting impact on the community.
Here are the complete setlists from the epic Birmingham concert, showcasing the lineup from the very first act to the grand finale featuring the reunited Black Sabbath:
Mastodon
- “Black Tongue”
- “Blood and Thunder”
- “Supernaut” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
Rival Sons
- “Do Your Worst”
- “Electric Funeral” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Secret”
Anthrax
- “Indians”
- “Into the Void” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
Halestorm
- “Love Bites (So Do I)”
- “Rain Your Blood on Me”
- “Perry Mason” (Cover of Ozzy Osbourne)
Lamb of God
- “Laid to Rest”
- “Redneck”
- “Children of the Grave” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
Supergroup No. 1 (with Yungblud, Lzzy Hale, Nuno Bettencourt, David Draiman, Whitfield Crane, Jake E. Lee, Mike Bordin, David Ellefson, Adam Wakeman, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Sleep Token II)
- “Last Sin” (Cover of Ozzy Osbourne)
- “Shot in the Dark” (Cover of Ozzy Osbourne)
- “Sweet Leaf” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Believer” (Cover of Ozzy Osbourne)
- “Changes” (Cover of Ozzy Osbourne)
Jack Black, Revel Ian, Roman Morello (pre-recorded video)
- “Mr. Crowley” (Cover of Ozzy Osbourne, pre-taped video performance)
Alice in Chains
- “Man in the Box”
- “Would?”
- “Fairies Wear Boots” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
Gojira
- “Stranded”
- “Silvera”
- “Mea Culpa” (with Marina Viotti)
- “Under the Sun” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
Supergroup No. 2 (featuring Billy Corgan, Sammy Hagar, Papa V Perpetua, Steven Tyler, Tom Morello, Nuno Bettencourt, Rudy Sarzo, Travis Barker, Chad Smith, Danny Carey, K.K. Downing, Adam Jones, Adam Wakeman, Vernon Reid, Ron Wood, Andrew Watt)
- “Symptom of the Universe” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Breaking the Law” (Cover of Judas Priest)
- “Snowblind” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Flying High Again” (Cover of Ozzy Osbourne)
- “Rock Candy” (Cover of Montrose)
- “Bark at the Moon” (Cover of Ozzy Osbourne)
- “Train Kept A Rollin’” (Cover of Aerosmith)
- “Walk This Way” / “Whole Lotta Love” (Covers of Aerosmith / Led Zeppelin)
Pantera
- “Cowboys From Hell”
- “Walk”
- “Planet Caravan” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Electric Funeral” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
Tool
- “Forty Six & 2”
- “Hand of Doom” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Ænema”
Slayer
- “Disciple”
- “War Ensemble”
- “Wicked World” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “South of Heaven”
- “Wicked World” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Raining Blood”
- “Angel of Death”
Guns N’ Roses
- “It’s Alright” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Never Say Die!” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Junior’s Eyes” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Welcome to the Jungle”
- “Paradise City”
Metallica
- “Hole in the Sky” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Creeping Death”
- “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
- “Johnny Blade” (Cover of Black Sabbath)
- “Battery”
- “Master of Puppets”
Ozzy Osbourne
- “I Don’t Know”
- “Mr. Crowley”
- “Suicide Solution”
- “Mama I’m Coming Home”
- “Crazy Train”
Final Performance by Black Sabbath
1. “War Pigs”
2. “N.I.B.”
3. “Iron Man”
4. “Paranoid”
