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  • Queen headline Sonisphere

  • Rock royalty Queen return to the live stage a quarter of a centurty after their last performance to play a second concert at the venue that once provided them with their biggest gig: Knebworth Park. Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor have confirmed the band will headline the second day of Sonisphere on Saturday July 7.

    Knebworth was the setting for Queen’s final concert with Freddie Mercury in August 1986, and for this one-off show they will be joined by US singer-songwriter Adam Lambert. Lambert famously played with the band during American Idol in May 2009 for “We Are the Champions” May and Taylor invited Lambert to join them for the closing set at the MTV Europe Awards where Queen collected their Global Icon award and an eight minute set got fans buzzing.

    Now Queen will return to Knebworth with Lambert for what will be a highly-anticipated festival performance this summer, alongside fellow headliners KISS on Friday and Faith No More on the Sunday. Joining these huge bands will be some of the biggest names from the world of rock and metal including exclusive UK performances from Within Temptation, Evanescence, Incubus, Marilyn Manson, Andrew WK, Refused and Mastodon. Glam rockers The Darkness and The Blackout will also appear at the three-day July event.

    It’s a worthy challenge for us, and I’m sure Adam would meet with Freddie’s approval! – Brian May

    Sonisphere has added to its repertoire for 2012 by inviting musician/comedian Tim Minchin to headline the Saturday night following in the footsteps of Bill Bailey’s successful slot in 2011. Among the other acts performing are Switchfoot, Wolfmother, Katatonia and rappers Cyprus Hill.

    Queen’s Brian May can’t wait. He said: “Judging by my incoming mail, this decision will make a lot of people very happy. It’s a worthy challenge for us, and I’m sure Adam would meet with Freddie’s approval! And what better place to revisit, and walk those emotional paths than Knebworth? It will be a rush.”

    Lambert added: “I’m completely in awe of the Queen phenomenon. The thought of sharing the stage for a full set is so beautifully surreal. I’m honoured to be able to pay my respects to Freddie’s memory. He’s a personal hero of mine and I am deeply grateful for the chance to sing such powerful music for fans of this legendary band. I know the evening will be a huge milestone for me, and with the support of Brian, Roger and the rest of the band I know magic will be on display.”

    Tickets for Sonisphere are on sale from 9am on Thursday, February 23rd. For more details and the latest line-up news go to www.sonisphere.co.uk.

by Mike Barnard

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