Sharon Osbourne has confirmed she is in discussions with Live Nation about reviving the iconic Ozzfest metal festival, as reported by Billboard.
Osbourne discussed the potential return of the festival and reflected on its original mission and creative vision.
“I’ve been talking to Live Nation about bringing [Ozzfest] back recently,” Osbourne said. “It was something Ozzy was very passionate about: giving young talent a stage in front of a lot of people.”
She emphasized the festival’s pioneering role in the American metal scene and its unique focus on emerging artists.
“We really started metal festivals in this country,” she continued. “It was [replicated but] never done with the spirit of what ours was, because ours was a place for new talent. It was like summer camp for kids.”
Osbourne also highlighted her personal involvement in the festival’s creative aspects.
“All of the creative direction for visuals at Ozzfest was mine,” she said. “I can’t sing a note — I’m tone-deaf — but I can be creative, and I like to create things.”
The discussions with Live Nation represent a significant moment for the metal community. This is due to Ozzfest’s legendary status and impact on the genre.
The festival’s origins trace back to a rejection that ultimately sparked a revolution in metal music. Wikipedia reported that Ozzfest was created in 1996 after Sharon Osbourne was rejected by Lollapalooza organizers when she tried to get Ozzy on that festival circuit. What began as a response to that snub became one of the most influential metal festivals in history.
From its humble beginnings, Ozzfest grew into a cultural phenomenon that shaped the metal landscape for over two decades. Parade noted that the festival ran nearly annually from 1996 to 2018. It featured legendary lineups that included Slipknot, Metallica, Tool, Pantera, Marilyn Manson, Linkin Park, and Megadeth.
The festival’s impact extended far beyond just showcasing established acts. Montreal Rocks documented that the original Ozzfest launched in October 1996 as a two-day event before expanding into an annual touring festival the following year. This growth reflected the festival’s success in creating a platform where emerging metal bands could share stages with industry legends.
The potential revival comes at a time when the metal festival landscape has evolved significantly since Ozzfest’s last major run. The Sound 228 highlighted that running nearly every year from 1996 through 2018, Ozzfest became one of the most important heavy music festivals in the world. It transformed from a two-day event into a touring juggernaut that defined summer for metal fans across America.
