🎤 1. Opening sets: A salute to Sabbath
Zakk Wylde confirms that every supporting act—Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Mastodon, Gojira, Halestorm, Lamb of God, Rival Sons, plus a supergroup featuring Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, Steven Tyler, Sammy Hagar, Duff McKagan & Slash, David Draiman, Jonathan Davis, Papa V Perpetua, Fred Durst and more—will do three or four songs each. Critically, at least one will be a Black Sabbath cover, ensuring each band pays direct tribute to the pioneers (en.wikipedia.org).
Metallica, for example, has done “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” and “War Pigs” before, making them well-prepared for the farewell stage (ultimateclassicrock.com). Guns N’ Roses have reportedly rehearsed “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” (metalinjection.net).
👑 2. Ozzy’s appearance: brief but powerful
Wylde explains Ozzy will perform “a couple songs” with his solo band from a throne—likely due to his health condition—before stepping back to watch Sabbath take the stage (metalinjection.net). Expect a solo Ozzy segment featuring classics like “Crazy Train” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” followed by Sabbath’s final performance.
🥁 3. Sabbath finale: “the boss” and the originals together
Following Ozzy’s solo stint, the four original Black Sabbath members—Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—will close out the show. It marks their first performance together in 20 years and likely includes three to five iconic tracks, possibly “Paranoid,” “Black Sabbath,” “Iron Man,” plus a deep cut or two (ultimateclassicrock.com, en.wikipedia.org).
🤘 4. Zakk Wylde: guitarist or “dishwasher”?
In a playful comment to Rolling Stone, Wylde joked he’ll help with “dishes and laundry”… but clarified he’ll actually be onstage: playing a couple songs with Ozzy and later jamming with Pantera (metalinjection.net). Given his dual role in Ozzy’s band and Pantera, fans can expect him to weave through both performances seamlessly.
🔄 5. The show structure & vibe
- Tribute sets: 3–4 songs per act (2 original + 1 Sabbath cover) (metalinjection.net).
- Ozzy solo segment: a short, punchy performance—likely seated, delivering key hits.
- Sabbath reunion: full band, emotional closing ceremony with original lineup.
Wylde notes that some details—like which artist plays which Sabbath song—are still being finalized, making this a spontaneous, once-in-a-lifetime celebration (facebook.com, arrowlordsofmetal.nl, ultimateclassicrock.com).
🎯 What fans should expect:
| Feature | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Tribute sets | A powerful cross-section of metal’s biggest names, each honoring Sabbath. |
| Ozzy’s stint | Brief but memorable—likely seated, backed by longtime band members. |
| Zakk Wylde | Floating between Ozzy’s set and a later jam with Pantera. |
| Sabbath closing | Emotional full-band finale with original members. |
| Unscripted moments | Spontaneous collaborations, guest appearances, and surprise covers. |
Bottom line: This isn’t just a farewell—it’s a metal family reunion. Expect high-caliber performances, emotional highs, and true tributes driven by reverence and legacy. Wylde’s contributions ensure top-tier guitar work, while every artist’s Sabbath cover layers the evening in deep respect. And finally, the original Sabbath closing set caps the night with a sense of generational closure.
Let me know if you’d like a setlist prediction, deep dive into tribute band lineups, or breakdown of any artist’s likely song choices!