Metallica, Linkin Park for Sonisphere

First names for Knebworth festival announced

United Kingdom | 09 February 2009

Metallica and Linkin Park will headline Sonisphere, a new festival to be held at Knebworth House.

As predicted on Virtual Festivals last year, the event, will take place at the stately home this summer.

The festival will run for two days from 1-2 August and it will also feature Lamb Of God and Mastodon, with more names to be announced.

Speaking about playing the festival series, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich said: "We're stoked to be touring England and Europe with Sonisphere. Summer festivals in Europe are what Metallica do best. We can't wait to see all of our fans over there."

The festival is also set to take place in Holland, Spain, Germany, Sweden and Finland.

60,000 fans are expected at the English leg of the festival, which will have two alternating stages of live music as well as DJs, soundsystems, walkabouts, cinema, freak shows and food stalls.

Tickets go on sale this Wednesday (11 February) priced at £157.50 for a camping pass. A link to buy Sonisphere tickets will be online when available.

Camping will be available from the Thursday with festival-goers allowed to stay four days until the Sunday.

The event is the first festival to be set up by former Download boss Stuart Galbraith, who has set up his own event's company Kilimanjaro.