For the first time in its twelve year history, the US Ozzfest is offering fans a completely free hard rock experience this summer. And as much as it’s thrilling fans, it’s sending music promoters into freefall panic.

There will be a ‘price’ for the free-ness. In past years, the Ozzfest stage has played host to mega rock names like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Marilyn Manson and System Of A Down. Hell, they even reunited Ozzy’s old bandmates Black Sabbath. But this year’s freebie will be more focused on up-and-coming acts, although Lamb Of God and Hatebreed will headline alongside deathmetal Eurovision winners Lordi.

The formidable Sharon Osbourne is at the helm of Ozzfest, as she has been for the past twelve years. Though most people under the age of 25 only know her as a judge on The X Factor, she’s actually one of the most respected music managers of her generation, turning hubby Ozzy’s stalling career around and making the Osbourne name a multi-million dollar brand.

So what is Sharon’s game? The industry is awash with different theories. The Boston Herald thinks the failure to secure any big name acts made them rethink the strategy – rather than have a poor line-up, they ditched the big names and made it a free festival in a move of marketing genius.

The Boston Globe reckons it's a gimmick to get people in in a happy mood – so they can fleece them once inside. Indeed, before the Boston leg of the festival started, announcements over the PA system revealed a ‘special upgrade’ to front row seats was available – IF you shelled out 20 dollars.

Meanwhile the Providence Journal is torn between whether it is a con or a wake-up call to the industry about the future of festivals and gigs. They call it an “experiment” - albeit one that the whole industry is watching.

Of course the tickets aren’t even technically free… as Sharon herself admits in the link above, she’s "not trying to be the Mother Teresa of the music industry.” They covered their costs through sponsorship and fans gained their tickets either by buying Ozzy’s latest album Black Rain (giving Ozzy his highest charter ever - kerching for Brand Osbourne) - which gave fans first option on tickets - or visiting the websites of corporate sponsors.

Sharon calls it a “creative evolution” of live music promotion. Whatever the motives and the media’s response, it seems the nationwide tour – which finishes on August 30th - has been a success thus far. Osbourne has always been a ballsy player. Let’s see whether she sets a new trend before the month is out.

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