Machine Head upset by Limp Bizkit billing

Machine Head have withdrawn from this summer's Sonisphere festival at Knebworth after Limp Bizkit were booked to play above them.

The band had initially been hired to play on the Apollo Stage at the festival but have pulled out of the August 2 event.

A statement on the band's website read: "In a turn of events that has left us absolutely baffled, the promoter of the UK Sonisphere festival recently placed, unbeknownst to us, Limp Bizkit in our third slot on the festival.

"Bizarrely, it was actually expected that we would quietly move down the bill without issue. We will not. We have regrettably been left with no choice but to cancel our appearance rather than stand for the disrespect and indignity offered by a promoter who won't honour our agreement."

Festival organisers said: "We have spent close to two weeks talking to Machine Head to try to keep them on the festival including offering them higher billing on the Saturn Stage, so that they would be performing immediately after Limp Bizkit and before Nine Inch Nails.

"They would also get a longer time slot and were offered an increase in fee. Unfortunately the band did not find this agreeable."