Monsters revived

Back before Knebworth became the focus for a 'who can get most people in a country garden' contest between Robbie Williams and The Oasis, it was home to the Monsters Of Rock Festival. Now it's back. Sort of.

Sonisphere is a pan-European event, and the British leg will be at Knebworth. Assuming the planning has been done properly and there's the demand and it doesn't all end up being cancelled.

Amongst those hoping nobody reminds people about flinging plastic bottles of wee at the stage are Metallica and Linkin Park.

Knebworthless

Less than a month after Coldplay bragged to Zane Lowe about how they were going to play Knebworth, Chris Martin has admitted that, actually, they haven't been able to book the Country House. Even Liam and Noel managed that. Even Robbie Williams managed that.

Knebworth - careful with that 'e', typesetter

One good thing about the Oasismandias tour this summer - it might shut them up about those Knebworth gigs from years and years ago. Do you remember when playing Knebworth was seen as a sign of virility, and any old milksop who wanted to look the big I am dreamed of playing there? Thank god we're past that now, eh?

Oh, hang on... what's this Newsbeat is reporting?

Coldplay are planning to play a massive one-off gig in the grounds of Knebworth House in Hertfordshire.

Chris Martin revealed the news exclusively to Zane Lowe on Radio 1 on Thursday night.

He didn't quite say Knebworth, though - presumably it's meant to be a secret. Instead, in a scene reminiscent of the "it's a telescupe - but that's a codeword" Fry and Laurie sketch, he made a subtle reference so that the cognoscenti might guess:

"We're trying to book a place that rhymes with Blebworth.

"We realised there's a lot of people who don't like us in Britain but, you know, they don't have to come."

Well, of course, Chris. If you were going to hold a gig for people who don't like you, you'd be having to book out Kneb... sorry, Blebworth every night for the next forty-two summers.