Queen with Adam Lambert to headline Sonisphere 2012!

Rock legends Queen return to Knebworth on July 7th, 25 years after their final, historic concert there with Freddie Mercury in 1986.

Jayne Robinson

Date published: 20th Feb 2012

Rock legends Queen return to Knebworth on July 7th, 25 years after their final, historic concert there with Freddie Mercury in 1986.

Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor today confirmed the band will headline the second day of this year’s Sonisphere Festival, appearing at the festival home ground Knebworth Park, Stevenage, on Saturday July 7th. For this special one-off concert, they will be joined by US singer-songwriter Adam Lambert.

Queen first encountered Lambert on American Idol in May 2009, when he joined the band to perform We Are The Champions. Lambert then went on to join May and Taylor for the closing showcase at the recent MTV Europe Awards, where Queen were present to collect their Global Icon award.

Speaking of the collaboration, Brian May 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.”

Also announced for Sonisphere 2012 are KISS. Undoubtedly one of the most flamboyant rock bands on the planet, this will be their only European date of 2012.

Headlining the Apollo Stage on the Sunday night are the legendary Faith No More, in their only UK appearance in 2012.

Joining these three Titans of Rock are some of the biggest names from the world of rock and metal including Marilyn Manson, Evanescence, Within Temptation, The Darkness, Incubus, Andrew WK, Refused, Mastadon, The Blackout and more. Many of these acts are appearing at Sonisphere in their only UK show of 2012.

Headlining the festival's comedy offering is Australian musical comedy genius Tim Minchin, returning to Sonisphere after a storming appearance in 2010.

LINE UP SO FAR:
 
Headline sets from:
 
KISS (European Exclusive) - QUEEN (World Exclusive) - FAITH NO MORE (UK Exclusive)- TIM MINCHIN
 
ANDREW W.K. *
THE BLACKOUT
CYPRESS HILL
EVANESCENCE**
FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM
FLOGGING MOLLY *
GHOST *
GOJIRA *
I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN
INCUBUS**
KATATONIA *
LACUNA COIL *
MARILYN MANSON**
MASTODON *
REFUSED**
SWITCHFOOT *
THE DARKNESS
WITHIN TEMPTATION **
WOLFMOTHER **
 
*denotes exclusive festival appearance
**denotes only UK show of 2012

Tickets on sale to the public from 9:00am Thursday 23rd February from www.sonisphere.co.uk

Sonisphere Festival, Knebworth, Stevenage, July 6th - 8th.

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