After taking a break in 2013, Sonisphere is headed back to the UK this year with some of the world’s biggest metal and heavy rock bands in tow, including headliners Iron Maiden, Slayer, Dream Theater, and Metallica playing a ‘by request’ set.
Today the already massive bill grows again with a clutch of new Sonisphere 2014 lineup additions, and among them is a name that’ll be familiar to Aussie rock fans.
Melbourne rock three-piece Calling All Cars will now be playing Sonisphere, taking place this year from 4th – 6th July at Knebworth Park, with organisers noting the band “had one response to us booking them: ‘Holy fuck we are playing Sonisphere’.”
The trio – brothers Haydn and James Ing (on guitar and drums respectively) and bassist Adam Montgomery – had a more detailed, but no less enthusiastic statement when they spoke to Tone Deaf about being locked in for the metal event. “‘Holy shit, we would love to one day be on a bill like that’ – so now to be a part of it, we feel incredibly stoked!”
“When you see festival announcements like Sonisphere back home, the line ups constantly blow your mind and you think ‘Holy shit, we would love to one day be on a bill like that’ – so now to be a part of it, we feel incredibly stoked,” says Montgomery.
The Melbourne band, who relocated to London earlier this year following a successful Pledge Music campaign in which a diehard fan bought their old touring van for $20,000, aren’t the only Australians featuring on the Sonisphere lineup.
Calling All Cars join two previously announced Aussie acts: Warrnambool pub rock disciples Airbourne – who are billed alongside Mastodon, Alice In Chains, and Metallica on the Apollo Stage – and Perth-bred prog rockers Karnivool, playing the Saturn Stage with the likes of Dream Theater and Dropkick Murphys, their Sonisphere slot being just one of multiple European festival appearances they’ve booked following playing Groovin’ The Moo last April.
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Calling All Cars’ Sonisphere booking follows the band’s breakout appearance at Brighton’s Great Escape Festival, as one of more than 17 Aussie bands booked for the UK music event and industry conference, and their second major festival appearance since relocating to London earlier this year off the back of a successful Pledge Music campaign that was tipped over its target after a diehard fan bought the band’s old touring van for $20,000.
The band’s last tour of their homeland concluded in May; a huge national tour in support of the release of their third studio album, Raise The People, “an electrifying comeback from one of Australia’s leading rock n’ roll groups” according to our Tone Deaf reviewer. “If this record is anything to go by, [Calling All Cars] are ready to take on the world with their music,” a phrase that’s shaping up to look prophetic.
Check out our Festival Guide on Sonisphere UK 2014 here.
