Judas Priest replaces Ozzy Osbourne at Power Trip in Indio

Judas Priest has officially been added to the Power Trip lineup, replacing Ozzy Osbourne in his originally scheduled Saturday slot during the three-day hard rock and metal festival taking place at Empire Polo Club in Indio on Oct. 6-8.

On Monday, July 10, Osbourne said he’d no longer be performing due to health concerns.

“As painful as it is, I’ve had to make the decision to bow out of performing on Power Trip in October,” an emailed statement from Osbourne read. “My original plan was to return to the stage in the summer of 2024, and when the offer to do this show came in, I optimistically moved forward. Unfortunately, my body is telling me that I’m just not ready yet and I am much too proud to have the first show that I do in nearly five years be half-assed.”

However, he did note a replacement would be coming shortly after, adding: “They are personal friends of mine and I can promise that you will not be disappointed.”

Just a day later, in a post shared on the official festival Instagram account, Judas Priest said: “Power Trippers, are you ready for some Judas Priest style heavy metal! We are excited and ready to raise double horns way up high together.”

Produced by Goldenvoice, Power Trip still incudes Guns N’ Roses and Iron Maiden performing on Oct. 6, AC/DC with Judas Priest now on Oct. 7 and Metallica and Tool on Oct. 8. Tickets are still available starting at $599 for general admission; $799 for three-day reserved seating; and $1,599 for pit access at powertrip.live.

Osbourne has been absent from touring since 2018, with his last full show being the Ozzfest New Year’s Eve bash at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, due to several back and neck surgeries and a battle with Parkinson’s disease, which ultimately forced him to cancel the remainder of his No More Tours 2 Tour. In September 2022, he played a quick medley of songs at halftime during the Los Angeles Rams’ season opener and a month prior, he’d delivered a surprise performance alongside Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in his hometown of Birmingham, U.K.

Judas Priest, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, is set to release a new record in 2024 and have a bunch of European tour dates scheduled next year. Judas Priest was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Alice Cooper in 2022 alongside Dolly Parton, Eminem, Carly Simon, Duran Duran and others.