Minutes After:Black Sabbath Guitarist TONY LOMMI Ex..See more
“Seven Songs Ready, Just Four Played”: Tony Iommi Talks Black Sabbath’s Farewell Setlist
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, in a tearful retelling, has disclosed that the band had seven tunes ready to perform at their last show, Back to the Beginning, but managed to play only four due to stringent venue curfew regulations.
Held on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham—the same city where Sabbath first got together—this legendary event marked the original lineup’s first stage reunion in two decades. The star-filled evening included tribute acts from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Guns N’ Roses, and more, before concluding with Sabbath’s own set with Ozzy Osbourne one final time.
Pre-concert, Iommi informed BBC Midlands Today and other sources that seven songs had been rehearsed by the band, but the curfew was a significant factor. Ultimately, only four could be performed within the available time slot . Although he did not list all seven, Iommi commented that every song had been meticulously chosen, indicating how difficult the set had been to trim.
The tracks played were in line with Sat-night’s setlist: “War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid.” These classics finished the show, with fireworks and confetti accompanying their last bow amid thunderous cheers  . The four-track setlist was a balance between Sabbath history and Ozzy’s vocal endurance—he sang a total of just four songs: “I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Suicide Solution,” “Mama I’m Coming Home,” and “Crazy Train” during his solo set before rejoining the band for the quartet .
This final performance was laden with significance. Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Osbourne had not shared a stage since 2005 . Speaking about his anxiety, Iommi admitted, “This is completely different from anything else we’ve done… nerve‑racking” . Citing logistical constraints, he noted: “We’ve played to 300,000, but this is different. We’re in our hometown. We haven’t played together for 20 years. The worrying thing is the unknown… and curfew” .”.
The event ran from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. BST, just touching the curfew cutoff (). With over 40,000 fans in attendance, and millions more via global livestream, organizers had to make time-conscious decisions. Iommi’s revelation that seven songs were prepared suggests a richer set was intended—but time did not permit.
For fans, the news was bittersweet. Many praised the chosen quartet as “the perfect farewell,” though others lamented the absence of deeper album favorites. As one fan on The Guardian commented:
“I’m crying just remembering it!”  , underscoring the magnitude of the occasion.
Significantly, Back to the Beginning was not a commercial cash‑in. Profits were donated to charities like the Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. The star‑studded show and emotive fanfare were in part a celebration of Sabbath’s legacy and their influence on metal music.
Following the final four songs, Sabbath members were visibly choked, embracing each other and the fans in a show of unity and gratitude. Osbourne, who is battling Parkinson’s disease, later stated that the concert would indeed be the last page in Sabbath’s live career chapter  .
Looking ahead, although this concert could be the end of live performances, Iommi has hinted at continued studio work or the odd one-off performance. But for now, Back to the Beginning stands as the official and ultimate final emotional farewell from the original Black Sabbath members.
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Cut from Seven to Four: A Recap
• Ready to play: 7
• Played: 4 (“War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” “Paranoid”)
• Reason: Venue 11 p.m. BST curfew strictly enforced
• Attendance: ~40,000 in person, international livestream available
• Cause: Benefit fundraiser (Parkinson’s, children’s charities)
“Back to the Beginning” will long be recalled as an emotional last moment—one commingling nostalgia, practical reality, fond farewell, and lasting impact.
