Black Sabbath farewell concert live: Ozzy Osbourne’s last show ends with fireworks and cake

Ahead of last night’s gig, The Independent’s Roisin O’Connor spoke to some of the musicians whose lives were changed by Black Sabbath

‘I owe Ozzy Osbourne everything’: Metallica, Alice in Chains, Sammy Hagar and Yungblud on Black Sabbath’s farewell show

In case you missed it, here’s what The Independent’s critic Mark Beaumont had to say about last night’s farewell extravaganza at Villa Park.

“As the Prince of Darkness himself finally appears for his solo band set, rising from beneath the stage in a batwing-festooned black throne to the crescendo of “O Fortuna”, the roar in the room is one of gratitude and empathy.”

Read Mark Beaumont’s five star review in full

Last night’s farewell show wasn’t without controversy, after a video message from shock rocker Marilyn Manson aired.

The statement played in between performances from acts including Alice in Chains, Tom Morello, Yungblud and Metallica, as the music worldcelebrated the legacy of Sabbath and frontman Ozzy Osbourne.

A clip shared to social media of the message showed Manson, real name Brian Warner, speaking of how he later came to share a stage with Osbourne and Black Sabbath, having grown up as a fan of their music.

Read Roisin O’Connor’s report from last night in full

Black Sabbath fans slam ‘disgraceful’ Marilyn Manson appearance during farewell show

After the gig, fans outside Villa Park stadium were feeling emotional.

Andrew Dean, who had flown over from the US to attend, told Reuters the event was “nothing short of a blessing,” adding: “I think it's the highlight of my life so far.”

Emotional fans react after watching Ozzy Osbourne's last ever show

Sharon Osbourne has revealed that she is “done” with the music industry after husband Ozzy performed a final farewell gig with his band Black Sabbath.

Sharon, who first met Ozzy when her father was managing Black Sabbath and later took over as his manager when he became a solo artist, said that she was now finally ready to step back from the industry following the triumphant farewell show.

“I’ve been doing this since I was 15, and I’m done,” the 72-year-old told Billboard. “We just want to live our life and do what we want to do and not have to follow an itinerary anymore.”

Sharon Osbourne says she’s finally ‘done’ with music industry after Ozzy’s last Black Sabbath gig

In a Q&A with communications agency Premier Comms, Osbourne, 76, said the show, titled Back to the Beginning, was a chance to “say thank you to my fans for always supporting me and being there for me”.

“I couldn't have done my final show anywhere else,” he said of playing the gig in his hometown of Birmingham. “I had to go back to the beginning.”

Osbourne also said that he was surprised by how many people had contacted him about livestreaming the concert, which had not been in the original plan.

“It seemed a great chance for people who didn't have the opportunity to get a ticket to be able to see the show,” he said.

The livestream of Back to the Beginning will be delayed by two hours from the in-arena start time, and will begin at 3pm BST. The stream will open 30 minutes prior to launching. Tickets are available to purchase here.

Playing at Villa Park is particularly significant for him, Osbourne said, as he used to go to the venue with his friends on Saturdays when a football match was being hosted and ask people “for a shilling to watch their car”.

Asked about what the formidable lineup meant to him, the musician remarked: “It means everything, I am forever in their debt for showing up for me and the fans. I can’t quite put it into words, but I feel very emotional and blessed.”

Apparently Geezer Butler couldn’t hide his amusement at being asked if this will truly be the final stage appearance by the original members of Black Sabbath.

“With this band, I have given up trying to predict a ‘last ever’ performance,” he told Billboard. “Every time I have stated ‘never again,’ something comes up, like this Villa Park gig.”

Born in Doncaster, Yungblud – Dominic Richard Harrison – rose to fame with the release of his debut album, 21st Century Liability. He has since released a further three albums, all of which have topped the UK charts, including his 2025 record Idols. Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne made a cameo in his 2022 music video for “The Funeral”.

Since I can remember, Ozzy has always been a part of my life. I grew up around rock music, and he was a character to me before I even knew anything about him. I remember his hair, I remember his massive mouth, I remember his glasses from when I was three years old.

If you know me and my family, we’re truly f***ing loud– they used to call us The Osbournes. So, I kind of found solace in being similar to them. Growing up watching The Osbournes and the madness, I was always like that. I was always out there and “crazy”. To see someone being so loved and accepted with all their madness… I really found solace in a figure like Ozzy.

We’re very similar. Even though we don’t necessarily make the same kind of music, we kind of represent the same thing. Being out there and thinking outside the box is what we’re both known for.

To now be a close personal friend to them all – basically family – it’s been amazing. Sharon has been so helpful to me in terms of my festival and my business, and Ozzy has been an inspiration. It’s wild when you meet your heroes, let alone become their family.