Birmingham gets ready for Black Sabbath farewell gig

BBC News

a day ago

Update:
Date: 09:46 BST
Title: Fans are back at the Sabbath mural
Content: Chloe HughesBBC News
These were the scenes on Navigation Street, near New Street station, shortly before 9am.
People were already gathering in front of the Black Sabbath mural, taking selfies and chatting excitedly.
Fans are already gathering in front of the mural on Navigation Street
You can almost feel it in the air already - an electric sort of buzz.
Most were wearing Black Sabbath t-shirts, and there were smiles all around
The excitement is building in the city
Mr Murals is the street artist who created the impressive artwork. He was visited by the band and gifted tickets to the show.
Update:
Date: 09:26 BST
Title: Excitement building at Villa Park
Content: Some of those lucky enough to get a ticket are already in the queue at the Villa Park ground.
Jay Wooles and Leigh Gallacher arrived in Birmingham from Caerphilly in Wales on Friday and were at the ground by 8am.
They said there were already about 200 people there but the queue for check in was moving quickly and everyone was very excited.
Update:
Date: 09:12 BST
Title: Can I watch it, even if I didn't get tickets?
Content: Chloe HughesBBC News
Unfortunately the concert is sold out.
However, Black Sabbath announced that the event can be live streamed, and said it would be available to watch on-demand for 48 hours after the show.
Fans need to pay to view it, and only those who have paid can watch it on-demand afterwards.
The stream begins at 15:00 BST today.
BBC Radio WM will be covering the event throughout the day as well.
Update:
Date: 08:48 BST
Title: How to get up the Villa? Check your buses and trains
Content: As mentioned - it's a huge day for Birmingham. Black Sabbath (along with Metallica, Slayer and Pantera) are playing at Villa Park.
Meanwhile, Jeff Lynne plays his farewell hometown gig at the Utilita Arena and Billy Ocean is at the BP Pulse Live.
Add the test cricket at Edgbaston and the Colmore Food Festival and you've got a city which is at 90% capacity.
Transport wise - Saturday and Sunday will see engineering work take place affecting rail services between Birmingham and Leicester.
All day on Saturday and Sunday, buses will replace trains between Nuneaton, Hinckley, Narborough, South Wigston, and Leicester, , external, externalNational Rail said.
For Sabbath fans going to Villa Park - extra trains and shuttle buses are provided.
Update:
Date: 08:28 BST
Title: What's been happening in Birmingham?
Content: Hoards of fans flocked to the city yesterday - queuing for selfies on the Black Sabbth bridge, looking at the murals and visiting the Working Class Hero exhibition - opened by Sharon Osbourne earlier.
Dave and Jennifer Pile arrived from Connecticut after they won tickets to the Sabbath gig in a competition run by an American radio station and went straight into the city to look around.
It's not just the fans who got their pictures taken on the bridge. Pantera was at it too.
Update:
Date: 08:13 BST
Title: Sabbath's final show - all profits go to charity
Content: Ozzy, 76, will reunite with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward for the all day show.
The show will also feature groups they have influenced over the years - including members of Guns N' Roses and Rage Against the Machine.
It's also for a good cause - all profits are being split equally between Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice.
Cure Parkinson's is a cause close to home for Osbourne as he has largely been forced to stop touring due to its effects and spinal injuries.
Acorns has said the donation will enable them to be there for more children and families.
Update:
Date: 08:03 BST
Title: Welcome to our live coverage as Black Sabbath gear up for their final show
Content: Hello and welcome to our live coverage as Black Sabbath get ready to perform together for the first time in 20 years.
Fans have flocked to Birmingham for the Back to the Beginning show, which is being described at the greatest heavy metal line-up ever.
Metallica, Alice in Chains, Pantera, Steve Tyler - all on the bill for this afternoon's show.
All at Birmingham's Villa Park.