Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt during Yungblud’s astounding cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘Changes’ at the Back to the Beginning concert on Saturday 5th July. Undoubtedly one of finest musicians to grace the Villa Park stage on the day, Bettencourt played four songs with Supergroup A in the early afternoon – Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘The Ultimate Sin’ and ‘Believer’, and Black Sabbath’s ‘Sweet Leaf’ and ‘Changes’. The Portugal-born guitar virtuoso, who supports Liverpool Football Club and Benfica, wore Diogo Jota’s Number 20 Liverpool shirt in tribute to the late player. Yungblud also dedicated ‘Changes’ to Jota. Bettencourt returned to the stage a few hours later to play Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Flying High Again’ and Montrose’s ‘Rock Candy’ with the Sammy Hagar fronted Supergroup B. As Supergroup B’s performance continued, he then played Ozzy’s ‘Bark at the Moon’ with Ghost’s Papa V Perpetua, and three seminal songs with the ensemble fronted by Aerosmith legend Steven Tyler – ‘The Train Kept A-Rollin’, ‘Walk This Way’ and ‘Whole Lotta Love

On Saturday, July 5th, at Villa Park’s monumental *Back to the Beginning* concert, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt delivered one of the day’s most unforgettable performances—balancing virtuosic skill, emotional weight, and stage presence that left the crowd in awe.

The Portugal-born guitarist, best known for his work with Extreme, kicked off the afternoon as part of *Supergroup A*, performing a blistering four-song set that blended power and poignancy. Ozzy Osbourne’s “The Ultimate Sin” and “Believer” showcased Bettencourt’s razor-sharp technique, while Black Sabbath’s “Sweet Leaf” let him lean into raw, vintage metal riffage. But it was the surprise moment with Yungblud on Sabbath’s “Changes” that truly stunned the audience.

Wearing a Liverpool FC shirt bearing the late Diogo Jota’s name and number 20, Bettencourt played with visible emotion. The dedication to Jota from both Bettencourt and Yungblud transformed the ballad into a heartfelt elegy, resonating deeply with fans and players alike. The performance became a defining moment of the concert—a bridge between generations, genres, and grief.

Later, Bettencourt returned with *Supergroup B*, led by Sammy Hagar. He tore into Ozzy’s “Flying High Again” and Montrose’s classic “Rock Candy,” proving once again his incredible versatility. From blues-soaked bends to high-speed shred, Nuno was a master in full command.

The energy only escalated as he joined Ghost’s Papa V Perpetua for a thunderous “Bark at the Moon,” and later supported Steven Tyler on a climactic trio: “The Train Kept A-Rollin’,” “Walk This Way,” and “Whole Lotta Love.”

Nuno Bettencourt didn’t just play guitar—he told stories with it. At *Back to the Beginning*, he honored the past, mourned the present, and celebrated the enduring spirit of rock in one unforget

table day.