BACK TO THE BEGINNING: OZZY’S FINAL BOW AT VILLA PARK

Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Venue: Villa Park, Aston, Birmingham
Time: Gates open at 12:00 PM BST
Curfew: Approx. 11:00 PM BST

It’s more than a gig. It’s a reckoning. A homecoming. A final roar from the godfathers of heavy metal. This Saturday, Villa Park transforms from football ground to sonic sanctuary for Back to the Beginning, the last ever performance by the original Black Sabbath lineup. Ozzy returns to the city that forged him. And Birmingham prepares to explode.

“I couldn’t have done my final show anywhere else,” Ozzy reveals. “I had to go back to the beginning.”

The Titans Assembling

This isn’t just Sabbath’s goodbye—it’s a thunderous congregation of rock’s most legendary acts:

• Black Sabbath (Original lineup, final performance)
• Ozzy Osbourne (solo set)
• Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains
• Anthrax, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Halestorm, Gojira
• And a mystery supergroup featuring artists from Smashing Pumpkins, Rage Against the Machine, Ghost, Faith No More, Limp Bizkit, Korn, and more

“This line-up means everything,” Ozzy says. “I’m forever in their debt.”

Getting to Villa Park

No Onsite Parking
Due to strict traffic restrictions, there is no public parking at Villa Park.

Travel Options:

• Park in Birmingham City Centre and take:
• Official Shuttle Buses (departing from Dudley Street near New Street Station)
• Taxi or Uber
• Train to Aston or Witton stations

Navigation Note: Avoid using satnavs past Junction 6 of the M6. Traffic management is in full force—follow official signs only.

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Sabbath Sites in Birmingham: A Fan’s Pilgrimage

Every corner of Birmingham sings Sabbath. Before the gig, immerse yourself:

Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero Exhibition

Where: Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
When: June 25 – Sept 28
See unseen memorabilia, awards, and career artefacts. Free entry.

Black Sabbath Bench & Blue Plaque

Where: Broad Street
Statues of the original lineup rest beside a heritage plaque—Birmingham’s answer to Abbey Road.

Mr Murals’ Mural

Where: Navigation Street
A 120ft spray-painted tribute to Sabbath near New Street Station. Pure street art metal.

Victoria Square Outdoor Gallery

Featuring massive album covers, stage shots, and fan portraits.

Ozzy the Bull

Where: New Street Station
Animatronic, moving, eye-glowing—this renamed sculpture captures Ozzy’s Brummie legacy.

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Sabbath Lore: 10 Things You Didn’t Know

• They began as “Earth”, playing blues rock
• Named after a Boris Karloff horror film
• Tony Iommi lost fingertips before fame, shaping his iconic guitar tone
• Ozzy’s real name? John Michael Osbourne
• Drummer Bill Ward sang lead vocals on multiple tracks
• “Paranoid” was written in 25 minutes—now their biggest hit
• Their debut album? Recorded in a single 12-hour session
• None of them could read music
• They have a blue plaque and a bridge named after them in Birmingham

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Livestream: For Fans Worldwide

Not at Villa Park? Watch Ozzy’s final bow live from 3:00 PM BST (delayed 2 hours from start). Replay available for 48 hours.

Ticket Options:

Type	Price
Livestream Ticket	£24.99
Ticket + T-shirt Bundle	£54.00

Merch shipping currently available to UK, US & select EU countries
Opt into updates for new regions via your livestream account

Note: One device per account. Smart TVs may work, but test early. Subtitles available.

Ozzy: “It’s My Final Encore”

“This is my chance to say thank you,” Ozzy says. “I hope fans feel how much they mean to me.”

From standing outside Villa Park asking for shillings, to headlining its final blast of metal history—Ozzy’s journey comes full circle.

“It’s a goodbye,” he admits. “And what a way to go out.”

Final Note

This isn’t just Birmingham hosting a concert. It’s Birmingham becoming the centre of the rock universe. Bring earplugs, bring tissues, and bring reverence. You’ll be witnessing the last rites of metal royalty.

Read More….

BACK TO THE BEGINNING: OZZY’S FINAL BOW AT VILLA PARK@RockNews