Saturday June 28, 2025.
I have been following 'Iron Maiden' since I was 10 years old, with their single, 'Run to the Hills', being the first 7" that I purchased.
After seeing them live on countless occasions, meeting some of the band members and visiting the 'Cart & Horses', where they first played live, I was excited to see them at the London Stadium, during their 50th year.
My friend of almost 35 years, David, had secured the tickets.
Keilyn and I travelled to Canning Town, where we checked into our hotel, with Emma and Erin, who, while we were at the concert, would visit the shopping centre in Stratford. We then travelled to Stratford together, before Keilyn and I headed off towards the Olympic Park, where we waited in the shade of the Sadler's Wells Theatre for David and his son Antonio.
Soon enough we spotted them and, after the usual greetings, joined the massed groups of fans headed towards the London Stadium. We crossed Bridge 5 and passed through security, bought a souvenir Matchday Programme and waited in the shade for the gates to open.
At exactly 17:00 the gates opened and we moved inside the stadium, making our way to the Merchandise stall. A T-shirt for Antonio, a Baseball cap for David, a studded leather wristband for Keilyn and a scarf for myself. We then purchased some drinks and went looking for our seats, which were on tier 2 in the 'Billy Bonds Stand' (East Stand).
The weather was clear skies, with the the occasional cloud, and not a breath of wind, with the temperature at 29°C. As we were in the East Stand, the sun was beating down on us, so we headed back downstairs and waited in the shade.
We took our seats, just before 17:45, so that we could watch 'The Raven Age' open the concert. They began with 'Forgive & Forget', before rattling through seven tracks, finishing with 'Fleur De Lis'.
As soon as their set, which was an incredible 45 minutes of pure rock, finished, we headed back down into the cool shade of the stadium. Snacks, food and more drinks were purchased.
We made our way back up to our seats in time to watch Halestorm take to the stage, at 19:00. 'Fallen Star' began a 10-track set, where Lzzy Hale's impressive vocal range was on full display. Arejay Hale's drum solo was out of this world! Throughout the 50-minute set the sun had continued to beat down, but, thankfully, was gradually getting lower in the sky.
Back outside into the shade for more fluids, while the stage was prepared for the main event: The Homecoming of Steve Harris... and 'Iron Maiden'.
On taking our seats, for the final time, the sun had finally dipped below the roof of the London Stadium, much to the delight of everyone in the 'Billy Bonds Stand'.
At 20:15 the familiar sound of UFOs 'Doctor, Doctor' could be heard, signalling to the 75,000+ strong fandom that the time was near. Then, 'The Ides of March' blared out, before the legends that are 'Iron Maiden' took to the stage with 'Murders in the Rue Morgue'. This was followed by 'Wrathchild' and then 'Killers', before Bruce Dickinson spoke to crowd and introduced the new drummer, Simon Dawson. I have to say that Simon fitted in really well, almost channelling Clive Burr on some of the older tracks. Then they went into 'Phantom of the Opera', one of my favourites, followed by 'The Number of the Beast', 'The Clairvoyant', 'Powerslave' and '2 Minutes to Midnight'.
The sound design was incredible, with Bruce's vocals better than ever before. All the while Keilyn was jumping and whooping, joining in on the songs that she did know, while David, Antonio and I were just soaking up the atmosphere, listening to what was quite possibly their greatest gig. It's quite marvelling to realise that the combined ages, of the band, equals 405 years!!! All of this below a new moon, that had replaced the sun.
The incredible 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner' was next, which I had never seen live before, followed by 'Run to the hills', which Keilyn was belting out at the top of her lungs, along with everyone else in the stadium. A serious Goosebumps moment.
'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' was next and the this just blew me away. The sound was incredible, with Adrian Smith's guitar echoing around the stadium during the middle part of the song. 'The Trooper' was followed by 'Hallowed Be Thy Name', with the song 'Iron Maiden' rounding out the set.
The atmosphere was electric, with 75,000+ people of all ages begging for more. Never ones to disappoint, 'Iron Maiden' returned to the stage with Winston Churchill's speech echoing around the stadium, before the band launched into 'Aces High'. The light show throughout this song was incredible, with searchlights and strobe effects turning the stadium into a dogfight arena. 'Fear of the Dark' was next, before they rounded off the night with 'Wasted Years', the majority of which was sung by Bruce and about 75,000+ backing vocalists.
With the time approaching 22:25 'Iron Maiden' took a bow, while 75,000+ cheered the performance and Mr Steve Harris, before they exited the stage to the sound of 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life'.
Slowly we made our way out of the London Stadium into the cool evening air. We said our 'Goodbyes' to David and Antonio, who had to catch a train to their hotel near Russell Square, before Keilyn and I headed across Bridge 4 towards Pudding Mill Lane.
Not wanting to wait among the heaving masses of fans, all trying to board trains and buses, Keilyn and I decided to walk for a bit. As there is no direct route it was going to take us roughly an hour to walk to Canning Town. So off we set, following the River Lea until we reached Bromley-by-Bow, where we left the river and caught a 309 bus, from Poplar Baptist Church, to Canning Town.
The platforms at Canning Town were full of waiting passengers, many in 'Iron Maiden' shirts, who struggled to get on the full trains still coming out of Stratford. I was glad that we had walked some of the way.
Once in the hotel we bought some food, before getting ready for bed. Keilyn was out like a light, as was Emma and Erin, while I was still buzzing from the concert. So-much-so I went for a walk in the cool air, chatting with some of the fans who were staying at the same hotel as us, before I finally turned in.
I think that this show will go down in history as one of their best ever.
Up the Irons!!!
Sounds absolutely fabulous. Can I say that I grew up listening to Iron Maiden 😅 Glad you had such a good time.
ReplyDeleteIt was an awesome evening and quite possibly their best gig, yet. Keilyn thoroughly enjoyed herself, too. I don't think you had a choice in listening to them, considering how loud I played them, sometimes.
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