OZZY OSBOURNE supported by SUPERGROUP
Tuesday 01st April 2003, Bedford Esquires.

One of Bedford's best kept secrets, the Ozzy Osbourne at Esquires gig, chosen as a smaller venue for a warm up gig before the tour. It was an invite only gig and Bedford Metal went along for the review.

The car park at the front was kept empty, to be used as a landing pad for the helicopter containing the legend himself.

As I went through the door, I wondered if this could all be a joke or a tribute band or something until I saw Kelly Osbourne sitting on one of the tables swinging her legs and waiting for things to get started. I went over to say hello, she smiled and we had a chat. She was quite approachable and glad of someone to talk to. The only time I saw her brother Jack was when he was laying cables on the stage and arguing with someone from his backing band, before a massive fight and bloodbath ensued - but more on that later!

Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden was there also; he was the announcer for the live radio broadcast. (so if you wasn't listening to Radio 1 on the night, then you missed that as well). It was so good to see so many famous people in the audience. There was Lemmy from Motorhead, Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield from Metallica, and a few of the people from Slipknot, and New Road.

Part of the wall behind the stage was removed in order to winch up 2 live elephants which were part of Ozzy's stage show, obviously they couldn't get them up the stairs but they successfully got them up the side of the building. (The hole was filled in after the gig).

I also saw a few of the members of Machine Head, Kamora, and System Of A Down, in the audience before a cheer went up when a helicopter could be heard landing outside. Ozzy soon made his appearance, he was the first act on and gave a stunning performance with some new stuff, Ozzy classics and a few Black Sabbath songs.

Naked women were suspended in cages round the room that danced through the set, giving the appearance of an Ibizan night club, and there was a spectacular fireworks display on stage and an awsome lazer show, at times it was difficult to believe I was actually at Esquires, especially when the foam cannons started filling the mosh pit. There were also people walking round on stilts with flamethrowers adding to the spectacle.

Ozzy's son's band came on next, they were called SUPERGROUP and consisted of members of various different famous bands who covered songs from their own bands material including stuff from Metallica, Motorhead, Pantera, Slayer, Borderline, Peanukle- (now reformed and touring the states), Chico&The Chocolate Factory, and Iron Maiden. During the set, live penguins were released on to the stage and crowd and were caught again before part of the stage caught on fire, but with all the foam and elephant shit, it soon went out. Ozzy - signed stuff afterwards and a free c.d. was given to evryone who attended. It was a totally awsome gig to experience, although the newspapers I noticed couldnt resist making a joke about Ozzy biting the head off one of the penguins.


Review by Keith Pickering - www.bedfordmetal.co.uk