Sonisphere festival announce Machine Head, and Alice In Chains

Alice In Chains, Avenged Sevenfold, and Machine Head, have been announced for the new two-day rock festival Sonisphere.

This will be Machine Head's only UK festival appearance, and the only UK shows for Avenged Sevenfold, and Alice In Chains who are taking time out from recording their first new album in 13 years, their first since the death of former frontman Layne Staley.

The latest new additions also include young Texans The Sword, who were hand-picked by Metallica's James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich for their world tour, and Irish legends Thin Lizzy. There will be more acts announced on Wednesday morning.

Tickets are on sale for the festival held at Hertfordshire's Knebworth House on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August 2009. Weekend tickets are priced at £132.50, or £157.50 with camping. Lockers are priced at £10, and parking is also £10 in advance or £20 on the day. And early arrival camping entry ticket is priced at £10, and tickets for camper vans are priced at £40.

To buy tickets, click here.

The event will have one main arena with a stage at either end. The headliners are Linkin Park, and Metallica, with the already announced Mastodon and Lamb Of God in support. For the line-up details as available, please click here.

The festival will have camping at Knebworth with the campsite open for arrivals from 3pm on Thursday, and checkout at midday on Monday. The event will also offer festival goers a cinema, a fair, market, jugglers, and the usual festival offerings. There will also be a campsite stage with new bands and DJ sets as well. The festival does not have a strict noise curfew, and so entertainment will run until late.

It is advised that the age minimum is 10 years old. If young children do attend it is recommend they wear ear protectors. Any under 14's must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder over 18 years old.

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