"some music was meant to stay underground..."

Headline News

Ozzfest 2011 Cancelled Despite Prior Promotion Of The Event

posted May 13, 2011 at 5:21 AM by The_Avant_Garde.  (54 Comments)

Photo of Ozzy Osbourne

Band Photo: Ozzy Osbourne (?)

On a brief post made on the official Ozzfest Facebook page it has been announced that there will be no version of the popular Ozzfest taking place in 2011. One of the pioneering hard rock and metal festivals, started in 1997 by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, will once again miss out on another summer touring cycle - for the second time in three years. The festival has gone through a number of changes over the past few years as a result of economic woes and more competition from events like the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem and Uproar festivals.

Ozzy Osbourne offered a short statement in regards to the cancellation by saying;

"No, [there will be no Ozzfest] this year. I just finished a lengthy arena tour of the U.S., so I've decided to tour Europe this summer instead."

The festival's official website, Ozzfest.com, had previously posted polls asking for fans to vote on bands they would like to see appear at this year's event. The site also featured a forum post requesting fan input. Both articles have since been removed.

What's Next?

Please share this article if you found it interesting.

You can get related band news and info in the sidebar and on the respective band pages.

54 Comments on "Ozzfest 2011 Officially Cancelled"

Post your comments and discuss the article below! (no login required)

Anonymous Reader
1. HE HE HE HE writes:

TOUR SUCKS ANYWAYS.......THEY SHOULD TAKE JONAS BRO'S ON TOUR AND NSYNC...NOW THATS A METAL FKG TOUR MENNNNNGH

# May 13, 2011 @ 6:36 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
brandedcfh420's avatar

Member

2. brandedcfh420 writes:

they know that people are sick and fkn tired of paying to play! besides, ozzys career is dead anyways!!!

# May 13, 2011 @ 8:48 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Fuck_A_Name's avatar

Member

3. Fuck_A_Name writes:

Whenever he does bring it back, noones going to want to go, because of this bullsh**. I was holding out hope for this festival tour becasue imo, Mayhem sucks. now if I want a festival event, thats my only option.

# May 13, 2011 @ 8:56 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
4. Anti ozzfest writes:

Sharon and ozzy are a f***ing joke!....a f***ing has been

# May 13, 2011 @ 9:22 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
5. Fuck ozzfest writes:

Those f***ers will never see another penny from me

# May 13, 2011 @ 9:23 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Caveman1's avatar

Member

6. Caveman1 writes:

been to 3 ozzfests, always was a great time. This summer i get to see the Heavy Toronto 2 day metal festival so am kinda glad no ozzfest.

SATURDAY, JULY 23RD:
Megadeth, Anthrax, Opeth, Motorhead, Children Of Bodom, As I Lay Dying, Times Of Grace, DevilDriver

SUNDAY, JULY 24TH:
Rob Zombie, Slayer, Mastodon, Testament, Baptized In Blood, Anvil

Looks better than any ozzfest i been to

# May 13, 2011 @ 9:53 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
R10's avatar

Member

7. R10 writes:

Kind of sucks theres no fest this year,always looked forward to it. Hell i wish they would bring back Sounds of the Underground ,the few of those i went to were pretty good. Looks like Mayhem and Slaughter.

# May 13, 2011 @ 10:12 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
8. metal nick writes:

I went to ozzfest 3 years in a row but after 2005 I stopped going. I'm not really disappointed. I'm going to mayhem and summer slaughter this year. I haven't been to an all day fest since sounds of the underground 2006 so it should be fun, but I'll be leaving mayhem as soon as megadeth finishes their set. I have no interest in seeing godsmack or disturbed.

# May 13, 2011 @ 10:57 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
9. ugh writes:

Corporate, pay to play shows(and vampire-like big labels) are coming to an end. Time for The Underground to rise!!!

# May 13, 2011 @ 11:39 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
pig's avatar

Member

10. pig writes:

I am kind of disappointed only because mayhem isn't very interesting to me this year. Mayhem has been awesome for a couple years now and this year would have been a good opportunity for ozzfest to gain back some relevance.

# May 13, 2011 @ 11:47 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Brucezombie's avatar

Member

11. Brucezombie writes:

I don't even think Ozzfest stops by me. So I could care less.

# May 13, 2011 @ 11:56 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
silvermountains's avatar

Member

12. silvermountains writes:

I've never been to an Ozzfest because Ozzy to me is a joke now. I went to the arena tour he just held and still didn't even find it that fun. I'm glad he'll not be having ozzfest. Plus mayhem and slaughter are both jokes this year too so no point in any concert festivals anymore unless you're in Europe.

# May 13, 2011 @ 1:39 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
sloppydrunk's avatar

Member

13. sloppydrunk writes:

maybe im just living in the good old days of ozzfest but theres always some good names there, it has taken a turn for the worse the past 5 years with alot of "core bands" it seems like, but i always had a good time... OZZFEST BREASTS !!!!!!

# May 13, 2011 @ 1:50 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
14. vulgar 7575 writes:

ozzy is god his wife is money hungry oh the hunger...
fest had sum promise when down and etc gig'd the fest all rolled down hill from there-the fest does not suck-
its the head B**** in charge ozzys wife who spews fowl all over this thing,
like i said money money money....

# May 13, 2011 @ 2:23 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
15. Billpower writes:

don't bash ozzy. the guy did his time and made a lot of great albums and played amazing concerts. show some respect to a legend. geesh

# May 13, 2011 @ 3:19 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
brandedcfh420's avatar

Member

16. brandedcfh420 writes:

ive shown enough respect to ozzy through the years (3 ozzfests, 3 solo ozzy shows, Black Sabbath reunion in '99). as long as he continues to allow his wife to make a bafoon of him on a regular basis then ill show little to no respect..........

# May 13, 2011 @ 3:27 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
ZMA's avatar

Member

17. ZMA writes:

So because you wanna tour Europe you're not gonna have one of the biggest events of the summer? You're a douche Ozzy. But whatever. I'm goin' to Mayhem anyway so that'll make up for it.

# May 13, 2011 @ 3:56 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
deathbringer's avatar

Founder, owner & programmer

18. deathbringer writes:

I always enjoyed Ozzfest personally. This year's Mayhem looks like a typical Ozzfest and I'll probably go.

But if they plan to have an Ozzfest, they need to get the promotion going earlier than the May timeframe these days. Mayhem and other summer tours have been announced and promoting for months already. Ozzfest always did announce later, but they are not the only tour in town anymore and can't do that now.

# May 13, 2011 @ 4:40 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
brandedcfh420's avatar

Member

19. brandedcfh420 writes:

They've realized that they have been outdone by every other festival in terms of talent as of the last few years!!
R.I.P. OZZFEST 1996-2008..................

# May 13, 2011 @ 5:36 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Blindgreed1's avatar

Member

20. Blindgreed1 writes:

Personally, I think competition amongst festivals is a good thing. Now that Mayhem is the only game in town I suspect it will dive soon and go the way of the last few ozzfests. This is not a good thing for anyone if you give a fvck about the scene.


Sincerely,
Captain Obvious

# May 13, 2011 @ 6:03 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
MeTaLmAdIc's avatar

Member

21. MeTaLmAdIc writes:

NNNNOOOOOO!! *bullet to the brain*

# May 14, 2011 @ 1:22 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
wilco's avatar

Member

22. wilco writes:

its beter in europe anyway thats were the metal takes place
and ozzy has a date with oz and me hehehe

# May 14, 2011 @ 9:49 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
23. Ray6 writes:

Most of you are f'n crazy Ozzy's the best! Remember the freefest, because Ozzy wanted to give back to the fans all of you Haters aren't really fans anyway so stay the f*** home then if don't like him! God bless Ozzy! Ozzy rules!!! Oh yea, those other festivals really SUCK!

# May 14, 2011 @ 11:03 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
wilco's avatar

Member

24. wilco writes:

wise words ray6
and in europe still people care about metal music bands know this so lots of them would prevere europe over the usa

# May 14, 2011 @ 12:37 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Brucezombie's avatar

Member

25. Brucezombie writes:

Ray6, won't everybody being staying the f*** home this year?

# May 14, 2011 @ 12:41 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
sonictherapy's avatar

Senior News Correspondent

26. sonictherapy writes:

That's what happens with overexposure. You end up becoming a bad parody of yourself. I think if Ozzy keeps it to metal and distances himself from his family in the public arena, it will lend credibility. Metal fans aren't about all that commercialism and drama.

# May 14, 2011 @ 1:48 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
R10's avatar

Member

27. R10 writes:

Im sure the Osbournes will eventually bring back Ozzfest for another round.Who knows,i dont think anyones ruling out one last Ozzy/Sabbath reunion .There wouldnt be a mayhem fest if the Osbornes hadnt come up with the idea in 96,and we all remember how hugely popular metal was then in the US . Not!

# May 14, 2011 @ 3:52 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
wilco's avatar

Member

28. wilco writes:

you can say what you want about ozzy he did make sure lots of bands did get exsposure due to ozz fest
and i do think he tours europe the album sells well in europe right now and a the shows he will be doing are soldout i will see him on graspop next month
so for him there is huge exsposure in europe right now
but indeed their will be a ozzfest in the us for sure sometime

# May 14, 2011 @ 4:05 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
R10's avatar

Member

29. R10 writes:

Yes indeed Wilco. Ozzfest certainly exposed me to new bands in 97 .Machine Head,Fear Factory,Neurosis etc. The Osbournes dont get the credit they deserve here for giving metal some respectibility in the mid 90s in the US for coming up with a tour that catered to metal fans,at a time metal was considered a joke in USA. So kudos to the Osbournes for coming up with the idea of this type of tour in this country.

# May 14, 2011 @ 4:20 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
30. Kaptien writes:

Ozzfest is gay if you go you are gay

# May 14, 2011 @ 7:18 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
VanMetal's avatar

Member

31. VanMetal writes:

I Only managed to make 1 Ozzfest.'06 in Toronto(the last time it was in Canada). I would like to see a Sabbath reunion at some point in the next couple of yrs.

# May 14, 2011 @ 8:15 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
dcs's avatar

Member

32. dcs writes:

For starters. Yes the fest has not been as good in years past. I have not been since 2004. A bottle of water 6+? People cannot afford that. I will also say i understand why he would just tour in europe. The fanbase for rock music is much higher. I'm a black guy and i will admit. This country is focused on what is now called hip hop. I think this genre has sucked for the past 15 years. But thats another topic. Also big acts do not want to share the stage with so many other big acts or bands that are not that good. Thanks SHARON. For Ozzy. Fact is fact he is old and all of the years of hard drug abuse have been showing for over a decade. I suggest that all of you give up on most of the major shows that come around. See your local bands. You will also get much more heart out of them. Also you have still have a thicker pocket by the end of the day. Music will not be as good to us as it used to. Atleast in the mainstream. Especially with fake people like lil wayne gucci man aka f***ing ice cream cone face. I would love to see rock as popular as it was from the 60's to the early 90's. But it will not for some time. Maybe never. People are more interested in personal. Think about it. There are television shows that promote people that are not that good or hold major competitions for people they will control after a contract. This is not like music that we are used to. Good music is not cared about anymore. Whatever is easy and whatever can be doctored into sounding like real music.

# May 15, 2011 @ 3:16 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
dcs's avatar

Member

33. dcs writes:

Oh yeah. I will also add this. It will also piss people off. I grew up a metal head. And from one to many others the genre will never get recognition if we continue to bash or berate bands or acts for being different. Or also bashing other types of genres because they are not metal. Don't get me wrong, i do not like most of the stuff out there. But you cannot get your point accross with degrating others on a regular basis. If we want metal/rock to get high and mighty once again we need to stick together and help build it back to what it was. Example. I'm a huge 80's heavy metal fan. From thrash to hair. lol. I'm also only 26. I spoke to a younger gent about seeing judas priest and motley crue years ago. First thing they could say is that those bands were fake. Think about this. Those bands lived fun lifestyles. Van Halen talked about partying. Getting out and doing something fun. Slayer talked about genocide death etc. But they meant what they said. And to be honest i don't think i have heard a slayer song that did not have many true meanings to it. But apparently these bands suck. So now you look at metal/rock now. Its all about how much my life sucks. How much i'm hurt because she broke my heart. Oh I hate this because i don't like it. Nobody will accept me for being me. QUIT BEING A b**** AND JUST HAVE SOME FUN. Nobody cares about how miserable your life is if you constantly complain and nag about it. Make something that people can PUMP THEIR FIST TO. Or my old favorite saying ROCK OUT WITH YOUR c*** OUT.

# May 15, 2011 @ 3:23 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
ZMA's avatar

Member

34. ZMA writes:

R10 if there isn't a Sabbath reunion within the next 2 years I'll be disappointed. I'd love to see a new album by them. They've still got it in them. I mean I liked the Heaven And Hell album. Iommi can still play. So a Sabbath album can't be out of the question.

# May 15, 2011 @ 4:13 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
n0thinghead's avatar

Member

35. n0thinghead writes:

wow... extremely stupid. whatta douche-y tool he's become. the US needs metal fests!! even more now that gayhem's in the stink hole, and summer slaughter's just a huge deathcore fest. and that's all that comes to me!! besides, u know... warped tour >;.>;

# May 16, 2011 @ 9:39 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
wilco's avatar

Member

36. wilco writes:

no there will be ever a sabbath thing again butler dont want to do with it

# May 16, 2011 @ 9:44 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
37. dethguy writes:

just leave ozzy out and still have ozzfest

# May 16, 2011 @ 10:16 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
n0thinghead's avatar

Member

38. n0thinghead writes:

^^^ this.

# May 16, 2011 @ 11:08 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
39. B writes:

Does it really matter if there's no Ozzfest? Mayhem, Uproar, Summer Slaughter and so on. Who would they really put on there anyway?

# May 16, 2011 @ 11:26 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Blindgreed1's avatar

Member

40. Blindgreed1 writes:

B: Really? Wow...

# May 16, 2011 @ 11:36 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
41. St. Anger writes:

I'm going to a legit beiber concert next month.

# May 16, 2011 @ 11:55 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
hater_guy's avatar

Member

42. hater_guy writes:

Leave Ozzy out and still have Ozzfest? Then it wouldn't be Ozzfest would it? It'd be like taking a shower with a rain coat. No wait, that's having sex with a condom. Nevermind.

# May 16, 2011 @ 2:40 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
43. dethguy writes:

haha damn Germay should bring summer breeze in America

# May 16, 2011 @ 4:09 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
ZMA's avatar

Member

44. ZMA writes:

You can have Ozzfest without him. It's happened before I think and it was still good.

# May 17, 2011 @ 12:10 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
45. Toki writes:

B: How do you get a computer in the Wacky Shack?? Who would ever choose a tour filled with stupid scene kids trying to act cool with their long hair and eyeliner Than to go to Ozzfest?? I must say i havent liked a few bands from this tour in a while though.. GAw!! now all there is, is the Scream The prayer Tour and Allstars..

# May 17, 2011 @ 9:16 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
n0thinghead's avatar

Member

46. n0thinghead writes:

oh! and we also have... uproar >;.>; just more garbage fests -.-

# May 17, 2011 @ 11:59 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
47. 4est writes:

Yeah he screwed the p00ch when he fired Zack! Since Shar0n Wears the pants n0w I expect him t0 bail 0n his last few fans.

# May 18, 2011 @ 3:54 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Crushem's avatar

Supporter

48. Crushem writes:

Oh, the inhumanity....(dripping in sarcasm)

# May 18, 2011 @ 5:47 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
49. notradsmus writes:

what the f***? no ozzfest sh**. well i got mayhem coming up soon.

# May 19, 2011 @ 1:42 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Rex_84's avatar

Writer

50. Rex_84 writes:

I've been to four Ozzfests and all of them have been great, although I picked those based on my interest in the lineups. Many of the shows are too commercial, catering to the flavor of the week.

I have a friend who has only one Ozzfest experience in 2000, which was at the height of the nu metal craze. Needless to say, I skipped that one.

I went to '97, the Sabbath reunion tour in the States w/ Fear Factory, Neurosis, Pantera, Machine Head and Ozzy, 2004 with Slayer, Priest and Superjoint Ritual, 2005 with the Swedish invasion and Maiden and 2008.

2008 was the best because it was like a European fest like Wacken, only one location. Plus, the lineup was amazing with Soilent Green, The Sword, Metallica, Cavalera Conspiracy, Rigor Mortis, Soilent Green Goatwhore, Dimebag Tribute, King Diamond joining Metallica for MF medley. That festival was arguably the most diverse as far as styles go.

# May 23, 2011 @ 6:37 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
TheIronMan's avatar

Member

51. TheIronMan writes:

Wouldn't have been able to go anyways.

# May 30, 2011 @ 10:56 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
52. AZDarkblade writes:

Last year the only bands worth a crap on Ozzfest were Black Label Society, to a degree Nonpoint, Halford, and Ozzy. The rest were HORRIBLE. I saw a chick doing a pig squeel on Youtube whose voice was about the equivalent of all of those bands. They stunk. And yet? They were 'the hot bands' of the days, the 'up and comers?' Wow.

Those of you putting Ozzy down, his show is hot right now. I saw him several times in the past year and must say your opinion is way off when it comes to his music. I won't argue about Sauron and her little clones Kelly and Jack and the idiocy of what they presented in Ozzy's life, nor will I argue with the idiotic persona he slips into to please them (aka the Bieber commercial and his telephone spots). Watching him in rock news interviews presents a totally different picture Ozzy. He's a man well aware of himself and not the brain dead retard Sauron and the media seems to enjoy painting him as. Ozzy's music is amazing, always has been.

He's got 4 really awesome musicians with him now...I'm excited to hear what they can create in the studio with him. I think Tommy Clufetos plays the masters (Ward, Castillo) with amazing adeptness.

It's sad to read so many stuck in the past (the 90's era) who haven't seen Ozzy's sobriety and the effect that has had on his live performances. Ozzy is no longer the 43 pill a day dopehead drunk. Sure, he's older. Which of us aren't as time flows. Does that mean a man should stop creating ... because he ages? Roger Waters hasn't. Paul McCartney hasn't. Tony Iommi & Geezer haven't. Ian Anderson (Tull) hasn't. The Rolling Stones haven't. Queensryche hasn't.

Ozzy's a legend, and his performances, his voice? They rock. Always have. If the 90's continued? I'd be with you. But they haven't. He got his $h~t together. Scream is a great testament to that. It's a really good album.

Long live Ozzy! ,,\/, ,\/,,

# May 30, 2011 @ 5:10 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Valentine_no_more's avatar

Supporter

53. Valentine_no_more writes:

Bullsh!t. God d@mn it! Muther F**ker! Not fair!

# May 30, 2011 @ 5:15 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
54. zebulon1@hotmail.co.uk writes:

oh well better find something else to do. it always was a *$?<;**%$. ripoff anyway!!!!!!!

# Jun 3, 2011 @ 6:10 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

To minimize comment spam/abuse, you cannot post comments on articles over a month old. Please check the sidebar to the right or the related band pages for recent related news articles.