After two disappointing cancellations over consecutive summers of 2012 and 13, Sonisphere has announced an event taking place at its iconic home-grounds of Knebworth Estate.
It is unclear yet as to whether or not this celebratory event will involve the Sonisphere title but an anniversary event is scheduled to take place at the grounds in honour of 40 years of festivals at Knebworth. The event will be held between the 4-6 July 2014.
The European touring festival has only held three events at Knebworth in its time, but in the space of three years almost doubled its venues from an initial six to eleven. Sonisphere had a promising beginning and was crowned ‘Best New Festival’ by the UK Festival Awards in 2009. It then went on to win ‘Best Festival Line Up’ in 2011 when it managed to secure the thrash metal ‘Big 4’: Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth to all play the opening night.
The event then experienced a tough couple of years and had to cancel 2012’s event. A team Sonisphere statement stated: “The three Sonisphere Festivals to date at Knebworth in 2009/2010/2011 set a very high standard” and due to struggles with late announcements, the 2012 event was cancelled; a move described by event founder and CEO of Kilimanjaro live, Stuart Galbraith, as a ‘hiccup’.
2013 was looking promising with a line up declared for release by Christmas, but once again the festival was cancelled due to difficulty in securing a strong enough line up to draw in the festival crowds.
Despite its recent struggles, in its short but successful lifetime Sonisphere managed to secure some legendary names in the heavy metal and rock industry, including bands such as Iron Maiden, Genesis, The Who, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Linkin Park, Slipknot and the scheduled 2012 headliners: Queen, who were the ones who leaked the festivals cancellation.
After a rocky few years, the Sonisphere website have managed to release some more optimistic news, although it is yet to be confirmed if the Knebworth Estate event will involve the festival circuit. Watch the story unfold here.
