News Summary
Birmingham is set to host Black Sabbath’s final concert, ‘Back To The Beginning,’ on July 5. The legendary band will reunite for their first live performance in two decades, attracting an estimated 300,000 fans and generating a £20 million economic boost. The weekend event will feature various attractions, including other performances and food festivals, while local hotel occupancy rates surge. Ozzy Osbourne promises to give his all despite health challenges, making this farewell concert a landmark occasion for Birmingham and its music heritage.
Birmingham is preparing for an influx of fans as the legendary heavy metal band Black Sabbath gears up for their final concert, “Back To The Beginning,” on July 5 at Villa Park. This momentous event will bring together all four original band members for a live performance for the first time in two decades, promising to be a historic occasion for both the band and the city.
The concert is expected to attract approximately 300,000 visitors to Birmingham, leading local authorities to predict an economic boost of around £20 million. The West Midlands Growth Company has underscored the concert’s significance in fostering local tourism and commerce as visitors flood into the city for the event and associated festivities.
Hotel occupancy rates in Birmingham are already high, sitting at 89% for the Black Sabbath weekend, a striking increase from the 52% occupancy seen in the same period in 2024. This surge in demand underscores the concert’s potential impact on the local economy, as visitors seek accommodations amid a host of other events planned for that weekend.
Besides Black Sabbath, the weekend will feature additional attractions, including a performance by Jeff Lynne’s ELO, a highly anticipated cricket match at Edgbaston, and the vibrant Colmore food festival, which will draw food lovers from across the region.
Before the concert, Black Sabbath received significant recognition from the city, being awarded the Freedom of the City of Birmingham on June 28 for their contributions to the cultural fabric of Birmingham. Each band member—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—was honored with scrolls and medals by Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Zafar Iqbal, highlighting their status as heavy metal pioneers.
Ozzy Osbourne has publicly discussed his journey through health challenges, specifically living with Parkinson’s disease, and expressed a strong commitment to delivering “120 percent” for fans at the final show. Alongside the original members, the concert will also showcase a lineup of renowned performers from the rock and metal scenes, including acts like Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, and Alice in Chains.
To make the event accessible to fans unable to attend in person, a livestream option will be available for $29.99, as well as themed memorabilia packages for sale, allowing fans to commemorate this historic farewell concert.
The concert is already sold out, marking it as one of the largest heavy metal shows in history. With the participation of actor Jason Momoa as the host, the event is poised to be not only a farewell for the band but also a celebration of their legacy and Birmingham’s rich musical heritage.
Moreover, the concert aims to raise funds for various charities, including Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, further emphasizing the band’s commitment to giving back to the community that nurtured them.
With return to their roots, the members of Black Sabbath have shared nostalgic reflections about their journey through music and their connection to Birmingham. Their final concert promises to be a landmark event, not just for the band, but for fans and the local community as a whole.
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Additional Resources
- Bham Now
- NME
- Al.com
- BBC News
- American Songwriter
- Wikipedia: Black Sabbath
- Google Search: Black Sabbath
- Google Scholar: Black Sabbath
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Black Sabbath
- Google News: Black Sabbath
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
