Live Nation Distributes 428,000 Free Ozzfest Tickets; Some Fans Experience Delays

By Alfred Branch, Jr.

In the four days since tickets were released, Live Nation gave away more than 428,000 tickets to this year’s Ozzfest, selling out all 24 dates, according to Live Nation officials.

The give away was “the largest number of free tickets distributed in the United States in the history of the concert business,” with more than 228,000 tickets being snapped up on Tuesday alone. This summer marks the tour’s 12th anniversary, and besides headliner Ozzy Osbourne other acts include Lamb of God, Static X, Lordi and Hatebreed.

“Ozzy is the first to take an entire tour and make it free to his fans and the fans of OZZFEST,” Sharon Osbourne, the tour’s creator and organizer, said in a prepared statement. “More than 428,000 tickets were distributed free to fans. How amazing is that?” .

Despite the overall success of the historic give away, the promotion was not without a few snags. According to a cross section of fans who wrote into blogs on the concert tour’s website, server delays left some fans frustrated because they were not able to secure tickets. Officials did not say how many fans logged into LiveNation.com during the four days, but the company believes it delivered tickets to the maximum number of fans without any serious problems. . .

“Sure there were a few folks frustrated by some difficulties in obtaining tickets, but we never expected we would be able to deliver a ticket to everyone who wanted one,” said John Vlautin, spokesperson for Live Nation. “Demand exceeded inventory. Anyway, we’re pleased with the results.”

The 24-concert tour will start July 12 in Seattle, WA, and will visit the following cities: George, WA; Sacramento, CA; Mountain View, CA; Devore, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Denver, CO; Kansas City, MO; Dallas, TX; San Antonio, TX; St. Louis, MO; Columbus, OH; Tinley Park, IL; East Troy, WI; Indianapolis, IN; Holmdel, NJ; Hartford, CT; Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Detroit, MI; Charlotte, NC and West Palm Beach, FL.

Sponsors of the tour include, Monster Energy, Jagermeister, FYE, Pilgrim Films, Hustler Lingerie and WWE. Past Ozzfests have featured System of a Down, Disturbed, Linkin Park, Incubus, Slipknot, Godsmack, Avenged Sevenfold, Mudvayne, Killswitch Engage and Lacuna Coil.