Review – Iron Maiden, First Direct Arena, Leeds (11th May 2017)

There was some apprehension for me as the day neared for this gig. I am sure that there would be a huge headcount if we were to survey how many people would include Iron Maiden as one of their entry bands to the world of metal. One of the lasting legacies to the longevity and incredibly top notch output over this period is that regardless of your age you will have a Maiden period relevant to your age.

For me, Iron Maiden’s Seventh Son of a Seventh Son was the very first album I went out and bought for myself and I got to the record shop at 9am on release day to buy my vinyl copy of No Prayer for the Dying. So why the apprehension? Well, for one reason or another I never actually got to see Maiden live until last summer at and although I had a fantastic day I was a little disappointed in the show. Mainly due to fatigue at this point rather than anything else, ittedly, but although I enjoyed it they did not have that special performance I had dreamed of. I didn’t want to be disappointed a second time (even if it was my expectations that were out of alignment rather than their performance).

This, however, was a classic Maiden performance. It was evident from the moment that the band took to the stage that both the band and the crowd were up for it and that both were enjoying the intimacy of one of the smaller arenas on the circuit.

I think in my weariness last year I watched the Maiden show and felt it looked a little too staged and theatrical, but getting up close to the action at the arena it was much easier to see that these theatrics are only a structure to the show, but in no way draw the band away from the type of spontaneity and excitement that they are capable of. It felt fluid, the playing as you would expect was great, but there seemed to be a rawness to the set I loved this time round.

The introduction of some much older tracks helped too, particularly with stuff like “Wrathchild” and “Children of the Damned” getting n airing. Yet it was on the Book of Souls tracks I was ultimately impressed. The band clearly loved playing it and the “Red and Black” live version was simply brilliant. Bruce was everything you always expect him to be, but he came across as extra relaxed and seemed to be really enjoying himself. That projects onto the audience and on big audience participation numbers like “Fear of The Dark’ he was at times spine-tinglingly good.

I was there with a couple of friends this time and we did not let up jumping up and down all gig and think that is testament to the set. It was full of energy, the band were happy with each other, with the crowd, with the set, the venue. It felt like it should be – one big happy Maiden family.

If you are heading off to see Maiden soon I promise you will not be disappointed. Scream for them, dance and enjoy the continued legacy of one of the best and most important metal bands of our lifetime.

Set List

• If Eternity Should Fail
• Speed of Light
• Wrathchild
• Children of the Damned
• Death or Glory
• The Red and the Black
• The Trooper
• Powerslave
• The Great Unknown
• The Book of Souls
• Fear of the Dark
• Iron Maiden

Encore:

• The Number of the Beast
• Blood Brothers
• Wasted Years

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