Tour news: Soundgarden, Faith No More set for Westfest

Chris Cornell performs at Soundgarden's last performance here at the Big Day Out in 2012. Photo/Dean Purcell

Westfest has pulled in two major acts for the second year of the fledgling metal festival: Soundgarden and Faith No More.

The two big names in hard rock will headline Westfest 2015, being held at Auckland's Alexandra Park on Tuesday, March 3.

Other names included on today's first line-up announcement include Judas Priest, Lagwagon, All Time Low, Wonder Years and Crown the Empire.

Promoters promise a second line-up "of the same size" will be made in mid-October.

Soundgarden last performed here at the 2012 Big Day Out, which suffered poor audience numbers and resulted in the festival being axed for the 2013 leg.

The Seattle four-piece, fronted by Chris Cornell, reformed in 2010 and released the album King Animal in 2012, their first since 1996's Down on the Upside.

Faith No More are also on the comeback trail, planning to release their first new album in 18 years early next year. They last performed here in 2010, with a a greatest hits style show at Vector Arena.

Auckland's Westfest acts as an unofficial sideshow festival for Australia's touring Soundwave event, which this year expanded to become a two-day event.

Other acts on Soundwave's bill include Slipknot, Incubus, Slash, Fall Out Boy, Marilyn Manson, Ministry and Papa Roach.

Last year's Westfest was headlined by Rob Zombie and Korn.

Westfest 2015
March 3: Alexandra Park, Auckland

- nzherald.co.nz