BIFFY CLYRO - EXCLUSIVE PERFORMANCE AS SATURDAY NIGHT HEADLINERS ** FREE TICKET TO FESTIVALS ABROAD WITH YOUR KNEBWORTH TICKET *

Hot off the back of the announcement - revealing SLIPKNOT’s exclusive return to the UK - SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH 2011 can now reveal the second headliner for next summer’s festival.

For Saturday night, we are delighted to announce that Scottish superstars BIFFY CLYRO will bring their legendary live performance to SONISPHERE for the first time, for an exclusive headlining set. With early albums receiving high praise from critics, their hard work on the underground scene paid off when BIFFY CLYRO’s popularity shot through the roof following the release of their fourth full length, “Puzzle”, in 2007. The nilhilistic proposition of ‘Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies’ coupled with the infectious ‘Who’s got a Match’ and the elegiac ‘Folding Stars’ firmly sealed their position as one of rock’s biggest names, making anyone with even a passing interest in music unable to ignore the three piece.

The announcement comes hot off the back of a huge arena tour - which ended at a sold out Wembley Arena on Saturday night - completing twelve truly amazing months for BIFFY CLYRO, whose universal appeal has propelled them to rock god status and ensured that masterpiece “Only Revolutions” went platinum in the UK, as well as receiving a Mercury Prize nomination for Album of The Year. Add to this a succession of singles, all of which reached top spots in the UK charts and it’s no wonder BIFFY CLYRO is now a household name across the country.

This exclusive headlining slot promises to be a summer festival highlight, filled with their magnificent rock outs and catchy singalong anthems such as “The Captain”, “Bubbles” and “Mountains”.

The now familiar APOLLO and SATURN arena main stages - considerately timed to ensure no clashes - will of course be back at KNEBWORTH, alongside BOHEMIA, which as well as showcasing the hottest bands on the scene, will be expanding upon the success of 2010’s groundbreaking comedy element. Last year saw o2 arena sellout performer TIM MINCHIN appear alongside SEAN HUGHES, JIM JEFFRIES and other leading comedians, and SONISPHERE plans to move forward with even bigger and more exciting names in 2011. Add to this the STRONGBOW BOWTIME BAR, THE REDBULL BEDROOM JAM and JAGERMEISTER stages, fairground rides and all manner of other alternative stalls and attractions, SONISPHERE is the hottest ticket offering the best value this summer.

As if the truly phenomenal line up is not enough, SONISPHERE is introducing the SONISPHERE TOURIST OFFER, a spectacular upgrade on last year’s “Buy One Get One Free Deal”. This year, early-bird ticket buyers have the choice of not one, but THREE extra festivals abroad. SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH ticket buyers will be able to apply for either a free ticket for SONISPHERE in POLAND PLUS a free ticket for SONISPHERE CZECH REPUBLIC, OR a free ticket for AUSTRIA’s NOVA ROCK Festival on 11-13th June, - where SYSTEM OF A DOWN will play alongside SICK OF IT ALL and VOLBEAT. Free tickets are subject to availability and will be issued on a first come first served basis.

SONISPHERE will also be repeating its hugely successful deposit scheme, allowing festival goers to secure their ticket - and their free bonus ticket if ordered before the new year - without having to immediately pay the full ticket price.

For those who require a bit of luxury during their festival experience, ROCK ROYALTY tickets will also be going on sale. As well as the usual festival madness, moshing and debauchery, ROCK ROYALTY ticket holders are treated like true VIPs, with a private ROCK ROYALTY camping area, plus some extra rock’n’roll luxury in the form of the Rock Royalty Gardens and Barns.

Tickets for SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH 2011 go on sale at 9am Friday December 10th, with pre-sale available via O2 and Sonisphere FMC and social communities on Weds 8th. Beat the VAT increase - and get your application in to become a SONISPHERE TOURIST with your free ticket for POLAND and CZECH REPUBLIC or AUSTRIA (subject to availability) - by snapping your ticket up quickly.

For tickets and more info go to www.sonispherefestivals.com <http://www.sonispherefestivals.com>

Shake Review 2009: http://www.shakenstir.co.uk/index.php/live/sonispshere-knebworth-august-09/live/6086/

Shake Review: 2010: http://www.shakenstir.co.uk/index.php/live/sonisphere-festival-ii/live/14947/

Band quotes on Sonisphere 2010

“Sonisphere is here for the long haul and in five or 10 years from now it’ll be as established a name as Werchter or Glastonbury or Pinkpop.” Lars Ulrich, Metallica

“Today was crazier than expected,” Slayer guitarist Kerry King

“It was insane.” David Ellefson, Megadeth

“This is the best tour we’ve ever done,” Anthrax bassist Frank Bello

“I really wish we had something like that in the States because I think people would come and would really, really love it.” Corey Taylor, Slipknot/Stone Sour

“Can’t wait. This is simply great,” Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain

“A simply fantastic time,” Lacuna Coil singer Cristina Scabbia

“Bit scared at first, but the crowd was brilliant.” Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden

“If you’re feeling tired, the crowd here will wake you up,” Alice in Chains singer William Duvall

What the fans said:

“Highlights – Slayer, Rammstein, breaking my nose in the Sylosis pit.” prayforvillains

“This was my first festival, holy shit it was possibly the best weekend of my life. Thank you Sonisphere!” James Boyle

“The Cult – powerhouse set that was immense.” x-tempus

“Best three acts of the weekend no doubt in my mind were Alice Cooper, The Cult and Iggy and The Stooges. Faultless sets from all of them.” Craig Bradley