Van Halen will bring their hard rock thunder "Down Under" this April, alongside classic rock icon Billy Joel, when they will headline Australia's inaugural Stone Music Festival.

In what will be the band’s first Australian appearance since 1998, and first with David Lee Roth in the vocal hot seat, Van Halen will top a bill featuring Kings of Chaos, Buckcherry and other artists on Saturday, April 20. Joel, for his part, will close a second-day bill including Lifehouse, Illumination Road and other, as yet unannounced performers, on Sunday, April 21.

The Stone Music Festival, which will take place Sydney’s ANZ Stadium, is a surprise, first-time addition to the busy Australian festival calendar, and was inspired by a cult '70s biker film named simply ‘Stone.’

Released in 1974, the exploitation movie starred Ken Shorter as an undercover cop assigned to discover who is murdering members of an outlaw biker gang named the Gravediggers. As for the festival it inspired, tickets are due to go on sale next Thursday, February 21 – be sure to wear a helmet.

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