Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher recently shared his expectations about the upcoming Black Sabbath farewell show. He discussed the likely performance arrangements in an interview with Guitar World.
When asked about whether he had discussed what Sabbath song they’ll play at the show, Kelliher responded with his personal preference and realistic expectations about the event’s format.
“I want to play Supernaut! But I don’t have all the details,” he said. “We’re still in the dark about a lot of that.”
The guitarist then explained his understanding of how the performance time would likely be distributed among the participating acts.
“There are a lot of bands playing, and there’s only so much time to let Sabbath do their thing… Metallica will probably play a few songs, so we may only get to play one song, which is fine,” Kelliher continued.
The comments suggest that while multiple bands will participate in the Black Sabbath farewell tribute, the time allocation may favor certain headlining acts.
Kelliher’s observations about the event’s structure reflect the massive scale and significance of what promises to be a historic farewell concert.
Nuclear Blast reported that this farewell concert, titled “Back To The Beginning,” will take place on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park Stadium in Birmingham. The event marks Black Sabbath’s final live performance with the full original lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward reunited for the first time in 20 years. The event represents a significant moment in heavy metal history, commemorating the band’s 1968 formation in their hometown.
The logistical complexity of the event helps explain Kelliher’s predictions about performance time allocation. Wikipedia detailed that the concert will run for 10.5 hours beginning at noon local time. It will feature a revolving stage to enable quick transitions between numerous bands, with Tom Morello serving as musical director and Jason Momoa hosting the event. This setup underlines the challenge of fitting all participating acts. It emphasizes why some bands, like Metallica, might have extended sets while others are limited to one song each.
Beyond its musical significance, the farewell concert serves a charitable purpose that adds meaning to the historic gathering. Louder Sound confirmed that proceeds from the event will support several charities, including Acorns Children’s Hospice, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Cure Parkinson’s. This makes the show not only a historic farewell but also a philanthropic effort.
The reunion of Black Sabbath’s original lineup for this final performance represents the end of an era for heavy metal. The band’s influence on the genre remains unparalleled since their formation over five decades ago.
