Ozzfest Comes Clean

Live Nation moved more than 428,000 free tickets in four days for 24 Ozzfest shows, organizers announced June 13th. The online ticket distribution reportedly had some glitches along the way, but no major problems were reported.

According to Live Nation, the tour went clean, with the exception of a limited number of VIP packages not part of the free distribution.

Fans received codes that were entered at Ozzfest and Live Nation Web sites, as well as those of sponsors including Monster Energy drinks, Jagermeister, FYI, Pilgrim films, Hustler Lingerie and WWE.

It’s a vindication of sorts for Ozzfest’s Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, as well as Live Nation, who went out on a limb to try a new model for a festival-sized tour that had become somewhat long in the tooth after 10 summers in the sheds.

"Together we have pulled off the ultimate gift for music fans this summer, a free Ozzfest," said Bryan Perez, Live Nation’s global digital division president.

"Through LiveNation.com we connected Ozzfest with nearly half a million music fans to create an exciting moment for the live music business and we couldn’t be happier with the results."

Ozzfest launches July 12th in Seattle at the White River Amphitheatre and wraps up August 30th at Sound Advice Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The lineup includes headliner Ozzy Osbourne, Lamb of God, Static X, Lordi, Hatebreed, Behemoth, Mondo Generator, Nile, Ankla, Circus Diablo, The Showdown, 3 Inches of Blood, Daath, Chthonic and In This Moment.