Around 95% of Iron Maiden supporters are expressing brand loyalty with a variety of t-shirts, including Eddie as ‘The Clansman’ in Braveheart warpaint.
A number from across the globe are flag-ready in the front row. They sing along to every word of the UFO intro, Doctor Doctor, before Maiden begins with Murders In The Rue Morgue.
Bandleader Steve Harris leans forward on the monitor and begins the rumbling bass line of Killers. Much-loved mascot Eddie bounds onto the stage with an axe, aiming to take out each member of the band one by one. Bruce Dickinson is just too quick on his feet, using every inch of the stage while holding his microphone stand in the air.
Some fans may be old enough to remember the Lucozade advert featuring Olympic athlete Daley Thompson running to the epic riff of Phantom of The Opera. The song has lost none of its majesty, augmented with Dave Murray’s exquisite guitar solos. For the heavier parts, Janick Gers stomps around the stage with manic glee.
The mythology and storytelling aspect at the heart of Maiden keeps the audience in the palm of the band’s hand. A case in point is Rime of the Ancient Mariner, which is bolstered by stunning graphics and pyrotechnics. Dickinson takes on various characters and dons several costume changes, among them a Dickensian persona in a top hat and black cloak holding a lantern during Fear Of The Dark.
It’s a cliche that most groups trot out, ‘the audience is getting younger’, but in Maiden’s case, there are several small children who love every minute, especially the appearances of Eddie and for them, a Horrible Histories aspect to the show. The talismanic mascot returns for The Trooper, another fan favourite that finds Dickinson in a redcoat while flying at Saltire. This galloping classic remains one of the most arresting metal tracks of all time.
Added to the demographic are many female fans who are well represented in the front rows. It’s a hit-filled set list which includes the top ten single Run To The Hills, this writer spent his pocket money on the record back in 1982.
I still have it to this day, and what a thrill it is to see it performed live and take in those solos by Dave Murray and Adrian Smith.
Maiden has been an exceptional live act for close to 50 years, but even veteran gig-goers suggest they are as good live as they ever were. Perhaps the highlight was Aces High supported by Churchill’s ‘We shall fight on the beaches’ speech, Spitfires on the big screen, air-raid sirens and beams of light over the audience. Dickinson manages to hit every impossible note (still in its original key) as the triple guitar assault reaches its peak.
What else is left to say but ‘Up the Irons’, they remain one of the best live draws on the global circuit.
