Black Sabbath’s The Final Farewell
The event is set for Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Villa Park (Aston Villa’s ground) in Birmingham, UK.
As someone who grew up in Birmingham and has loved Sabbath since I was about 12 so this is a huge story for me and many other Sabbath fans around the world.
Cynics might call it a “cash grab,” but from what I understand, the profits are going to charity—Q Parkinson’s, the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice (closely linked with Aston Villa). Of course, the logistical costs of a huge event like this will be covered, but it looks like everything beyond that goes straight to these wonderful causes. This isn’t just one final show for the money; it’s a legacy performance that gives back to the city and the world.
This is shaping up to be a full-day festival. Alongside Black Sabbath themselves (Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward), a host of other massive names are expected: Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Alice In Chains, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Mastodon, and so many more. There’s even talk of special appearances from Sammy Hagar, Slash, KK Downing, Zakk Wylde, Billy Corgan, and members of Guns N’ Roses, Disturbed, Limp Bizkit, Ghost, Korn, and more.
What’s most intriguing is how these guest musicians might pay tribute to Sabbath. I can easily see them performing Sabbath classics in their own sets, which might take the pressure off Ozzy and the rest of the band to carry a long, exhaustive show on their own. After all, Ozzy’s health has been front and center in recent years, and no one wants him to overextend himself.
If you love heavy metal, Sabbath is where it starts. They are the foundation, the genesis of heavy music as we know it. This gig—aptly named “Back to the Beginning”—brings it all full circle right in Birmingham, the city where Ozzy, Tony, Geezer, and Bill first began forging this new sound over 50 years ago.
For me personally, it’s incredibly meaningful. I grew up with Sabbath in the early ‘70s, and their music became an anchor in my life’s soundtrack. Seeing them all together one last time in our hometown is nothing short of magical. Even if the Sabbath set ends up being 30 or 40 minutes of greatest hits, just watching them stand on stage together, in Birmingham, will be a moment frozen in time for us fans.
Tickets go on sale February 14th (Valentine’s Day), and I expect them to sell out instantly. If you can’t make it to Birmingham, let’s all hope for a live stream or some sort of digital pass. That way, fans across the globe who’ve been touched by Sabbath’s music can still be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. No doubt a DVD, vinyl, or live album release will follow—this event is simply too monumental not to immortalise.
Yes, there will always be naysayers. But for me, this is far more than just a show; it’s a final bow, a homecoming, and a huge thank-you to the place where heavy metal was born. The band members have fought health issues and personal challenges to make this happen, and the fact it’s all going toward a good cause makes it that much more special.
I can’t wait to see how this day unfolds. If you’re lucky enough to snag a ticket, come back and tell us all about it. For the rest of us, fingers crossed for a stream or broadcast so we can share in the celebration of the most influential metal band of all time. Remember, music is the healer and the doctor—and I can’t think of any music more healing than seeing Sabbath together again in the city that gave them to the world.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
