Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne Announce 'Back To The Beginning' Farewell Concert at Villa Park
Attendees of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell concert, Back To The Beginning, slated for July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, can expect significant challenges beyond securing tickets. Local hotels have dramatically increased their rates by up to 725% to accommodate the influx of fans.
For instance, the three-star Apollo Hotel on Hagley Road, located approximately 15 minutes from Villa Park, now offers a superior double room without breakfast for £619 on Hotels.com on the night of the concert. In stark contrast, the same room was available for only £75 when booked a week earlier on June 28. Similarly, the Travelodge on Broadway Plaza, just 14 minutes away, has raised its room rate from £53.99 to £319.99 for July 5. In Yardley, a 22-minute drive from the venue, a Travelodge room costs £303.99 on the event night compared to £47.99 if booked a week in advance.
The surge in accommodation prices adds to the difficulties fans have faced since tickets went on sale on February 14, with over 60,000 individuals queuing online for a limited number of passes. Villa Park’s capacity of 42,000 was quickly insufficient, leading to secondary market prices escalating from £200 to several thousand pounds per ticket.
Back To The Beginning marks a historic moment as it reunites Black Sabbath’s original lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for their final performance. This event also features an impressive roster of supporting acts, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Slayer, Anthrax, and Gojira. Additionally, a supergroup composed of Billy Corgan from The Smashing Pumpkins and Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers will perform. Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine serves as the musical director, while actor Jason Momoa hosts the event.
All proceeds from the concert will benefit Birmingham's Children's Hospital, Acorn Children's Hospice, and Cure Parkinson's, aligning with Ozzy Osbourne’s recent retirement from touring due to health challenges. This final show not only celebrates the legacy of Black Sabbath but also supports vital charitable causes.
