It’s the end of an era, and Birmingham is about to cash in.
Black Sabbath’s final ever show – the aptly titled ‘Back To The Beginning’ – is expected to inject a staggering £20million into the local economy this weekend, as fans from around the world descend on the band’s birthplace for one last bow.
The homecoming gig at Villa Park on July 5 will see all four original members – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – share the stage for the first time in two decades. And while it’s being billed as “the greatest heavy metal show ever,” it’s also shaping up to be one hell of a payday for the city.
According to the West Midlands Growth Company, around 300,000 punters are set to flood Birmingham across a stacked “super weekend” of music, sport and food. Hotels are already at 89% capacity, a massive spike from just 52% at the same time last year. Bars, venues and local businesses are all getting a piece of the action – not to mention the added pull of Jeff Lynne’s ELO, a major cricket match at Edgbaston and the Colmore Food Festival happening in tandem.
Sharon Osbourne called the farewell show a “full circle” moment. “Birmingham is a city which means so much to Ozzy,” she said. “When it comes to heavy metal music, Black Sabbath forming and his love of Aston Villa – it all started here.”
And the city knows it – the band were officially granted the Freedom of Birmingham last weekend in a private ceremony, a nod to their global impact and local roots.
As for Ozzy, he’s battling through health issues and promising to give “120 per cent” for the gig. He won’t be doing a full set, but said, “If my God wants me to do the show, I’ll do it.”
The line-up is nothing short of biblical: Tool, Metallica, Pantera, Alice In Chains, Slayer, Gojira, Guns N’ Roses, Korn and more. One final Sabbath mass – and Birmingham’s economy gets the collection plate.
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