My theory

[frankie boy]

As they have been confirmed for Sonisphere Sweeden (or Finland I cant remeber) I reckon that Download have got an Uk exclusive on them maybe thats why they havent been confirmed as the third headliner for sonnishphere.

Your thoughts?

[saltybugger]

My understanding is that Sonisphere doesn't have a true third headliner. Friday will only be a limited day of music and Alice Cooper will be closing it on the Saturn Stage (the smaller of the two main stages).

[the_mars_volta]

My understanding is that Sonisphere doesn't have a true third headliner. Friday will only be a limited day of music and Alice Cooper will be closing it on the Saturn Stage (the smaller of the two main stages).

[2reese2]

yes i think you are spot on there.

[r0w]

er...i think your all living in wonderland, metallica are not playing download....5co77ie/efests have already explained this with the 'sonisphere 3 year exsclusive deal they signed' hence why they have been taken off the download rumours page.

[theramm]

Yeah but it's not true, there's no exclusive however Metallica are playing the Euro Sonisphere fests but they'll be the Friday headliner at Download.

[metalman]

Yeah but it's not true, there's no exclusive however Metallica are playing the Euro Sonisphere fests but they'll be the Friday headliner at Download.

[5co77ie]

As i understand the situation with Metallica is that they signed a one year UK exclusive to Soni and a 3 year exclusive for any new Soni festivals. For example they shouldn't announce any more festivals this year in Poland as this is a new Soni and the festival has them on an exclusive.

[r0w]

There ya go.....Not at Download then. Theres more of a chance of Kylie headlining Download this year than Metallica

[metalman]

I can't see how this would work they signed a three year exclusive for the rest of Europe but only one year for the UK?

Or that they signed a three year exclusive to any new territory Sonisphere went into for only that year?

Which means they can in 2010 play for other booking agents in The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Finland

Then next year 2011 (year three of the contract) they play new Sonisphere's and for other people at Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Turkey.

Admittedly Poland starts the week after Download but it seems a strange contract to have been agreed.

It seems weird to me that Sonisphere is globally the only festival they have announced - all the rest around the world are stadium dates - this would to me look like it was a festival exclusive deal - one that looks more likely with Sonisphere booking all the acts they have announced on exclusives.

Edited December 10, 2009 by metalman

[5co77ie]

So why no festival dates in any other territories other than Europe that they are touring in 2010?

[metalman]

So why no festival dates in any other territories other than Europe that they are touring in 2010?

[the_arsonist]

wow i love it how everyone knows so much about contract negotiations between bands and organisers...

[Spiral_Low]

I think Metallica will do Download. I think metalman is correct in that Metallica have agreed to play a Sonsiphere festival whenever a new one starts for 3 years (so Poland as an excvlusive this year etc). I think this leaves them free for Download. Of coruse i'm just speculating, but it's speculation based on all the info I keep seeing about,

[t8yman]

I really really hope they dont do download. I'm sick to f**k of Metallica. And I was a mental fan since '86. they are just wheeled out as "the obligatory headliners" time after time. I actually left the main stage after 5 tracks at soni last year - I just thought, Ive seen this so many times before.

[Mamba]

I really really hope they dont do download. I'm sick to f**k of Metallica. And I was a mental fan since '86. they are just wheeled out as "the obligatory headliners" time after time. I actually left the main stage after 5 tracks at soni last year - I just thought, Ive seen this so many times before.

[jordanuk90]

There ya go.....Not at Download then. Theres more of a chance of Kylie headlining Download this year than Metallica

[jk1]

Metallica need to go away and come back in 2012. It is getting really boring seeing them top of a festival bill now. People seem to think because they haven't played for a few years that they should automatically play. For their hardcore fans I am sure it is great, but their appeal to the casual fans (like me) is waning seeing them so much.

Would be suprised contractually to see them play. They have been promoted by Kilimanjaro which is run by the ex Download organiser, and there is bad blood between the two. Kili also do Sonisphere (funded by AEG) so would be strange for them to allow them to play Download.

[crosswillcastyourshadow]

I know it doesn't make sense for them to play a rival festival, having invested in sonisphere and still being in contractual obligations with them. But where else in the UK are they going to play this year?

[r0w]

I know it doesn't make sense for them to play a rival festival, having invested in sonisphere and still being in contractual obligations with them. But where else in the UK are they going to play this year?

[jordanuk90]

Sonisphere will be pissed with them if they play Download! however nothings impossible. I reckon theyl play some sort of secret slot at Sonisphere just like they did at Download in 03 or 04 i think it was. Or they may just play a couple of shows at say the o2 arena or something

[Calcy]

Think AC/DC announced themselves as playing the Friday, so must be Sat or Sun for 'Tallica, and they have free dates there at the moment. Thinking it could be a AC/DC, GN'R, Metallica triple whammy.

[r0w]

this may sound crazy. But what if the contract they signed with sonisphere meant they couldnt headline any othe english festival for 3 years.....but they could still player other festivals. And if they said Friday on their website the day Ac/Dc also stated....whats to say they wont Sub to AC/DC? think about it they would probably actually love to play sub to AC/DC on the 30th anniversary of Monsters Of Rock at Donnington as a one-off......the 30th Anniversary is not gona come around again, i reckon theyd be up for it

Edited January 15, 2010 by r0w

[thegremlin_1999]

this may sound crazy. But what if the contract they signed with sonisphere meant they couldnt headline any othe english festival for 3 years.....but they could still player other festivals. And if they said Friday on their website the day Ac/Dc also stated....whats to say they wont Sub to AC/DC? think about it they would probably actually love to play sub to AC/DC on the 30th anniversary of Monsters Of Rock at Donnington as a one-off......the 30th Anniversary is not gona come around again, i reckon theyd be up for it

[Lee_Eyers]

this may sound crazy. But what if the contract they signed with sonisphere meant they couldnt headline any othe english festival for 3 years.....but they could still player other festivals. And if they said Friday on their website the day Ac/Dc also stated....whats to say they wont Sub to AC/DC? think about it they would probably actually love to play sub to AC/DC on the 30th anniversary of Monsters Of Rock at Donnington as a one-off......the 30th Anniversary is not gona come around again, i reckon theyd be up for it