The Sonisphere Rock Festival is shaping up to be pretty historic when Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson takes to the skies for a classic World War I dogfight. Throw in Metallica headlining the event and it looks to be one of the biggest events of the year. Dickinson is certainly pretty excited about it. From The BBC:
“The air show over Sonisphere is something I’m really excited about and we’re determined to put on an unforgettable display for everyone.
“We’re planning an extravaganza of derring-do, especially when you consider the manoeuvres we’ll be performing are all based on true-life battles from a hundred years ago.
“What some of these fighter pilots achieved back then was nothing short of miraculous given the conditions they were working under and the seriousness of what was at stake.
“We hope to stage a memorable display which is equally entertaining and poignant, celebrating not only the bravery and heroics of all the pilots involved but remembering the sacrifices made on both sides.”
This isn’t the first time Dickinson’s experience as a pilot has come into play. He famously flies the band around on tour aboard Ed Force One and helped evacuate people from Lebanon during the 2006 Israel/Hezbollah War.
Now of course flying might not be your thing, and that’s OK. There will be plenty of music for you to go around:
Iron Maiden are headlining the festival that night.
It marks the final performance on their Maiden England world tour.
Also appearing at Sonisphere will be Metallica, who will play a set based entirely on fan requests.
The Prodigy headline the Friday night of the festival.
Also on the bill are Limp Bizkit, Alice in Chains, Mastodon, Slayer and The Sisters of Mercy… The event hasn’t been held for the last two years but returns to Knebworth House in Hertfordshire for three days between 4-6 July.
The stately home is also celebrating 40 years of concerts in its grounds with the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Queen all having played there.
Metallica last headlined the festival in 2011 and also topped the bill in 2009.
Iron Maiden last appeared at the festival in 2010. (via)
Say what you will about Metallica since the Black Album (and I know I have to everyone who will listen), but a fan requested set list is probably the coolest thing they’ve done in a long time. Maiden is better though and I can only hope this is the soundtrack to this dogfight, even if it’s about the wrong era.
(Via BBC)
