Ozzfest

From AmericolaWiki

Jump to: navigation, search
This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. (help, get involved!)
Any unsourced material that has been or is likely to be challenged may be removed at any time.
This article has been tagged since September 2006.
This article or section is written like an advertisement.
Please help rewrite this article from a neutral point of view per AmericolaWiki policy.
Mark blatant advertising for speedy deletion with {{db-spam}}. (help, talk)

Ozzfest is an annual tour of the United States and Europe featuring performances by many heavy metal/hard rock groups. It is organized by Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy's wife, and Jack Osbourne, Ozzy's son. At the Concert Industry Consortium, on Feb 6, 2007, Sharon Osbourne announced that every performance of Ozzfest in 2007 will be free. She said this is because the price of tickets had been climbing and she wanted the concerts to be accessible to everyone. The concerts will be able to be free because they will rely heavily on sponsorship. Tickets can be secured on ozzfest.com and livenation.com on June 12 [1]


Contents

[edit] History

Image:PragueOzzfest.jpg
Ozzfest concert poster on an empty storefront door in downtown Prague, Czech Republic (Summer 2002).

The festival was created in 1996, when organizers of musical festival Lollapalooza refused to let Ozzy Osbourne join the tour. The tour was very well-received, which prompted the Osbournes to have the festival become a yearly occurrence.

In 1998, Ozzfest ventured outside the United States for the first time for the United Kingdom, which featured a different lineup. After 4 shows, however, Main Stage act Korn dropped out of the tour, due to the wife of one of the band members giving birth. Other Main Stage act Soulfly's set included a guest appearance by ex-Dub War/Skindred frontman Benji Webb. The festival would eventually return to the UK, appearing in 2001, 2002, and 2005.

In 2002, Ozzfest expanded its borders into central Europe. Included were 16 venues across Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Denmark, Finland and Russia among other nations. The festival, however, was marked by the death of Drowning Pool frontman Dave Williams, who was found dead of an undiagnosed heart condition on their bus. Tommy Lee replaced the band for the rest of the tour.

On-stage footage of the Ozzfest 2004 tour was shown on MTV. They hosted a show titled Battle for Ozzfest where Ozzy and Sharon chose eight out of hundreds of bands to compete for a spot on the following year's Ozzfest. Ozzy selected one member of each band to "tag along" on the tour doing various tasks (some just to anger the contestants) and there were occasional meetings to decide which contestant was to leave that week for whatever reason. Marc Serrano from A Dozen Furies was the winner.

Ozzy said the 2006 tour would be the last Ozzfest in which he will make a "regular appearance" meaning that although Ozzfest will continue, it will no longer be a guarantee that Ozzy himself will perform.

On February 1, 2007, the official Ozzfest website stated that on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 a "major announcement" concerning the 2007 Ozzfest would be made by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne at 11:00 a.m. PT at a Hotel in Century City, California. This event was going to be closed to the public but details would be made available as soon as they were known.

On February 7th, it was announced to the public that the 2007 Ozzfest was going to be completely free of charge, calling this summer’s Ozzfest "FreeFest." The tour will begin in Los Angeles, the other Ozzfest cities as of now are San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio, Kansas City, St Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus, Pittsburgh, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Hartford, Charlotte, Atlanta, West Palm Beach, and Nashville.

"For the last few years," said Sharon, "ticket prices have steadily climbed as artists demand more and more money for summer tours. We certainly want everybody to make money, however we also want the kids to be able to afford to come out and have an incredible experience. If we continued with the traditional touring festival model, we would have no choice but to raise ticket prices again this year"

To gain entry into the event, fans have to go to www.ozzfest.com or www.livenation.com to find links that will direct them to special sponsor sites where tickets can be secured. More details regarding the process are forthcoming.

Also announced was the news that Ozzy Osbourne will make his return to the headlining position on this year's main stage after surprising fans last year by performing on the second stage at a handful of dates.On every date, there will be select local bands filling in certain positions.

[edit] The Stages at Ozzfest

[edit] The Main Stage

The Ozzfest main stage usually features bigger acts, although many big names have appeared on both stages. It is sometimes referred to as "Ozzy's stage" because he has been the headliner every year, although only on select dates in 2006, Ozzy appeared on the second stage at a few select dates. Also announced On February 7th 2007 was the news that Ozzy Osbourne will make his return to the headlining position on this year's main stage after surprising fans last year by performing on the second stage at a handful of dates.

[edit] The Second Stage

The second stage at Ozzfest features lesser-known bands, and is widely regarded as a great launchpad for such acts. However, many main stage-caliber acts have been known to appear on the second stage over the years. Ozzy Osbourne himself headlined the second stage on a few select dates in 2006.

[edit] Controversy

[edit] The Columbus, OH Riot - 1997

After a day of thunderstorms, equipment malfunctions & delays at the [Ozzfest] 1997 show, in Columbus, OH, a riot broke out among angry concert goers. While the first part of the day went off without much adieu, Marilyn Manson's set turned out a disaster when numerous equipment malfunctions left the set over after only 6-7 songs. The crowd was then left to sit, in the rain and mud for several hours before a collaboration of various band members appeared to perform a few of Ozzy's songs. After their impromptu performance (including 'Crazy Train' sung by Marilyn Manson) the 'band' left and the crowd stewed for another hour before Phil Anselmo, lead singer of Pantera, informed them of the cancellation to the show. Ozzy was later discovered to be in the hospital due to an undisclosed illness.

All told the fans destroyed the ticket boxes and concession stands, the privacy fence surrounding the amphitheater (it seats about 18-20 thousand), ripped up all the trees, tore out portions of the seating and set several brush and trash can fires als o threw bombs on to the stage of the Ozzfest. It took the Columbus Police several hours, reinforcements and a helicopter to remove the concert goers. Over 70 people were arrested.

[edit] The Camden incident of 2004

On the August 26, 2004 show in Camden, New Jersey, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford memorably filled in for Ozzy Osbourne on Black Sabbath vocals after Ozzy came down with bronchitis. His illness was not revealed to the audience until immediately before Black Sabbath was scheduled to take the stage, at which time Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward and Philadelphia DJ Tommy Conwell took the stage. Conwell announced that he had a message from Ozzy to the audience and proceeded to read the following:

"Philadelphia, you are about to witness a once in a lifetime performance. Unfortunately, I've come down with bronchitis and will not be able to perform tonight. However, my good mate from Birmingham, the "Metal God" himself - Mr. Rob Halford, has graciously agreed to step in and sing for me this evening." Conwell went on to explain - "This is from Ozzy. Let me hear you go fucking crazy for Mr. Rob Halford.”

After being met with a series of boos from the crowd drummer Bill Ward then addressed the crowd, assuring them that although they may feel "cheated" and "ripped off" he and the band intended to "play their balls off". The lights then immediately dimmed and the concert began.

There were no refunds offered to the audience, and many of them who had purchased expensive seats purchased them simply to see the original Black Sabbath up close. For weeks after the show, controversy raged among the fans. The "Camden Refund Petition" was launched on petitiononline.com and sent to Sharon Osbourne. The petition, among other criticism, prompted Sharon Osbourne to release a statement to the press on September 1st, 2004, which attempted to explain the actions taken when Ozzy's illness was revealed. She stated that they chose to find a replacement for Ozzy and announce this change late, instead of announcing it early, which she felt could have caused a riot.

Following the apology, much of the controversy died down, but some still pointed out glaring holes in Sharon's argument. Many people took issue with the claim that making the announcement to a largely intoxicated audience at 9:00 at night without offering recourse was somehow less likely to cause a riot then making the announcement earlier in the day with the option of a refund.

[edit] Criticism

Ozzfest has been criticized for being a corporate event, selling overpriced items such as Ozzfest T-shirts and games. Concert organizer Sharon Osbourne has been known to charge underground/lesser-known bands large sums of money for a slot on the second stage. During an interview for E! Entertainment TV, regarding the money bands pay to be at the second stage, Sharon said, "If you believe in your band, you're gonna pay, then I take the money and buy myself something nice,"[citation needed] which led people to believe that the money that bands invest doesn't go to pay for the actual tour expenses but to Sharon's own pocket. Even in an episode of MTV's "The Osbournes", Ozzy got mad with Sharon because she set two concerts one after the other and he believed that his voice was going to be affected by the hard schedule. He ended up saying to Sharon, "You only care about money." Also, she has been criticized for some acts that have performed on the main stage, such as Incubus and Crazy Town, which led people to assume that there was a financial interest behind their selection to play at the festival. It should be noted, however, that being a metal band has never been a requirement to get a slot on Ozzfest.

During the British leg in 2002, following the 2000 Roskilde Festival tragedy which also led to the cancellation of the Glastonbury Festival the year after, a barrier was placed dividing crowds into two groups. To be allowed into the front, a wristband had to be issued. All wristbands were taken first thing in the morning, much to the annoyance of the crowds. That would be the last time the Ozzfest ventured into the UK, to be replaced by the Download Festival

[edit] Ozzfest alumni by year

[edit] 1996:

  • Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Danzig, Biohazard, Sepultura, Fear Factory

  • Second Stage:

Earth Crisis, Powerman 5000, Neurosis, Coal Chamber, Cellophane

[edit] 1997:

  • Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Marilyn Manson, Pantera, Type O Negative, Fear Factory, Machine Head, Powerman 5000

  • Second Stage:

Coal Chamber, Slo Burn, Drain STH, downset., Neurosis, Vision of Disorder

[edit] 1998:

[edit] United States

  • Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, Megadeth, Limp Bizkit, Soulfly, Sevendust, Coal Chamber, & a rotating slot for a second stage band to open the performances on the Main Stage.

  • Second Stage:

Motörhead, System of a Down, The Melvins, Incubus, Snot, Life of Agony, Kilgore, Ultraspank, Monster Voodoo Machine

[edit] United Kingdom

  • Main Stage:

Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Foo Fighters, Pantera, Slayer, Soulfly, Fear Factory, Therapy? (who replaced KoЯn who pulled out in the run up to the festival.)

  • Second Stage:

Coal Chamber, Life of Agony, Human Waste Project, Entombed, (hed)p.e., Pitchshifter

[edit] 1999:

  • Main Stage:

Black Sabbath, Rob Zombie, Deftones, Slayer, Primus, Godsmack, System of a Down

  • Second Stage:

Fear Factory, Static-X, Slipknot, (hed)p.e., Flashpoint, Pushmonkey, Drain STH, Apartment 26, Puya

[edit] 2000:

  • Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, Godsmack, Static-X, Incubus, Methods of Mayhem, P.O.D., Queens of the Stone Age

  • Second Stage:

Soulfly, Kittie, Disturbed, Taproot, Slaves On Dope, Reveille, Shuvel, Primer 55, Apartment 26, The Deadlights, Pitchshifter, Black Label Society, Crazy Town, Pumpjack

[edit] 2001:

[edit] United States

  • Main Stage:

Black Sabbath, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Papa Roach, Linkin Park, Disturbed, Crazy Town, Black Label Society

  • Second Stage:

Mudvayne, The Union Underground, Taproot, Systematic, Godhead, Nonpoint, Drowning Pool, Spineshank, Hatebreed, Otep, No One, Pressure 4-5, American Head Charge, Pure Rubbish, Beautiful Creatures, Project Wyze (July 24th only)

[edit] United Kingdom

  • Main Stage:

Black Sabbath, Slipknot, Tool, Papa Roach, Soulfly, (hed)p.e., Raging Speedhorn

  • Second Stage:

Disturbed, Amen, Mudvayne, Black Label Society, Pure Rubbish, Apartment 26, The Union Underground

[edit] 2002:

[edit] United States

  • Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne, System of a Down, Rob Zombie, P.O.D., Drowning Pool (from July 12th-August 13th), Adema, Black Label Society, Tommy Lee (from August 15th-September 8)

  • Second Stage:

Down, Hatebreed, Meshuggah, SOiL, Flaw, 3rd Strike, Pulse Ultra, Ill Niño, Andrew W.K., Glassjaw, The Used, Sw1tched, Otep, Lostprophets, The Apex Theory, Neurotica, Chevelle, Mushroomhead, Seether

[edit] European Venues

Rock Im Park

Braunschweig

Donington

Dublin

Katowice

Prague

Nijmegen

Copenhagen

[edit] 2003

  • Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne, KoЯn, Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, Chevelle, The Datsuns

  • Second Stage:

Cradle of Filth, Voivod, Hotwire, Shadows Fall, Grade 8, Twisted Method, Nothingface, Killswitch Engage, Unloco, Depswa, Motograter, Sworn Enemy, The Revolution Smile, Chimaira, Endo, Memento, E.Town Concrete

[edit] 2004:

  • Main Stage:

Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Slayer, Dimmu Borgir, Superjoint Ritual, Black Label Society

  • Second Stage:

Slipknot, Hatebreed, Lamb of God, Atreyu, Bleeding Through, Lacuna Coil, Every Time I Die, Unearth, God Forbid, Otep, Devildriver, Magna-Fi, Throwdown, Darkest Hour

[edit] 2005:

[edit] United States

  • Main Stage:

Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden (from July 15th - August 20th), Mudvayne, Shadows Fall, Black Label Society, In Flames, Velvet Revolver (from August 23rd - September 4th), Slipknot (August 20th only), Drowning Pool (August 25 only)

  • Second Stage:

Rob Zombie, Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, Mastodon, A Dozen Furies, The Haunted, Arch Enemy, The Black Dahlia Murder, Bury Your Dead, It Dies Today, Soilwork, Trivium, Gizmachi, Wicked Wisdom.

[edit] Ozzfest Download

Black Sabbath, Velvet Revolver, HIM, Anthrax, Alter Bridge, A, The Mad Capsule Markets, The Dwarves, Trivium

[edit] 2006:

  • Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne (On Select Dates), System of a Down, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Hatebreed, Lacuna Coil, DragonForce

  • Second Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne (On Select Dates), Black Label Society, Atreyu, Unearth, Bleeding Through, Norma Jean

  • Second Stage (rotating slots):

A Life Once Lost, The Red Chord, Walls of Jericho, Strapping Young Lad, All That Remains, Full Blown Chaos, Between the Buried and Me, Bad Acid Trip

[edit] 2007:

  • Main Stage

Ozzy Osbourne, Lamb of God, Lordi, Hatebreed

  • Second Stage:

Hellyeah, Behemoth, Nick Oliveri and the Mondo Generator

  • Second Stage (rotating slots):

Nile, Ankla, Circus Diablo, The Showdown, 3 Inches Of Blood, DÅÅTH, In This Moment, Chthonic

On April 3rd, a MySpace bulletin sent out by the band Lordi revealed that the last remaining main stage slot would be reserved for the emo band My Chemical Romance. This turned out to be a practical joke started by Metal News Blog, MetalUnderground.


  • TOUR DATES:

DATE DAY VENUE

07/12/2007 THU White River Amphitheatre, Auburn, WA

07/14/2007 SAT The Gorge, George, WA

07/17/2007 TUE Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Sacramento, CA

07/19/2007 THU Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA

07/21/2007 SAT Hyundai Pavilion, Devore, CA

07/24/2007 TUE Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ

07/26/2007 THU Journal Pavilion, Albuquerque, NM

07/28/2007 SAT Coors Amphitheatre, Denver, CO

07/30/2007 MON Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Kansas City, MO

08/02/2007 THU Smirnoff Music Center, Dallas, TX

08/04/2007 SAT Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, San Antonio, TX

08/06/2007 MON Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, St. Louis, MO

08/08/2007 WED Germain Amphitheatre, Columbus, OH

08/10/2007 FRI First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL

08/12/2007 SUN Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI

08/14/2007 TUE Verizon Wireless Music Theatre, Indianapolis, IN

08/16/2007 THU PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ

08/18/2007 SAT New England Dodge Music Theatre, Hartford, CT

08/20/2007 MON Tweeter Center, Boston, MA

08/22/2007 WED Tweeter Center, Philadelphia, PA

08/24/2007 FRI Post Gazette Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA

08/26/2007 SUN DTE Energy Music Theatre, Detroit, MI

08/28/2007 TUE Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Charlotte, NC

08/30/2007 THU Sound Advice Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach, FL

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ http://www.ozzfest.com/news_2006.html

[edit] External links

cs:Ozzfest da:Ozzfest de:Ozzfest fr:Ozzfest it:Ozzfest nl:Ozzfest pl:Ozzfest pt:Ozzfest sk:Ozzfest sv:Ozzfest

Retrieved from "http://www.americola.com/amwiki/Ozzfest"
Personal tools