Empire Pool and Sports Arena (Wembley Arena)

Wembley Arena with the fountains in the Square of Fame.

Sunday December 29, 2019.

Wembley is one of those places that I only visit if I am going to see something at the Stadium. However, it has been many years since I have visited the Arena, to see a concert.

My first memory of seeing something at the Arena was back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when I was taken to see Holiday on Ice, by my nan.

Then, in September 1988, I saw Belinda Carlisle in concert. That December I went to my first Iron Maiden gig, there.

Since then I have seen Joe Cocker, Meat Loaf, Sheryl Crow, Iron Maiden (again) and more.

On this visit, to Wembley, it was purely to see the Christmas Lights Festival, so I took this photo, as I did not know when I would next return to the area.

Iron Maiden: Book of Souls Tour, 2017

Highlights of Iron Maiden's Book of Souls Tour, 2017, at the O2 Arena.

Saturday May 27, 2017.

Following the release of their latest, and possibly best, album, Iron Maiden were touring the world again. And, once again, David and myself would meet up in London, make a day of it and enjoy the concert.

Once again we met, ate and drank, before taking the Thames Clipper which was full of Iron Maiden fans to the Greenwich Peninsula.

Unlike 4 years ago, we made a point of watching the support act, Shinedown, as they were meant to be really good live. Now, any Iron Maiden fan, worth his salt, will tell you that the support act is there to fill the void before the main event and is usually an act being given the chance to play the big arenas. This time, however, things were different. Shinedown were electric and worked the crowd well. It was almost like they were the main act.

Having said that, when Iron Maiden did finally take to the stage, everything else was forgotten. As usual Iron Maiden blew everyone away.

Following the encore we made our way out of the arena and back to the Thames Clipper, and were homeward bound. 

Roll on the next tour.

Up the IRONS!

Iron Maiden

MillenniuM Dome (O2 Arena)

A new 'Dome of Discovery'.

Friday October 3, 2014.

The MillenniuM Dome, or the O2 Arena as it is currently known, is one of my favourite places, in the Unfinished City. Whether I am there to see a concert or an exhibition, grab a bite to eat or to have a drink, or just to wander around, there is always something to see. 

This shot was taken from the Emirates Air Line, as the sun was setting behind Canary Wharf.

Iron Maiden: Maiden England Tour, 2013

Highlights of Iron Maiden's Maiden England Tour, 2013, at the O2 Arena.

Saturday August 3, 2013.

Back in 1982, when I was 10, I bought my first 7-inch single; 'Run to the Hills' by Iron Maiden. Ever since I have been a huge fan, seeing them in various venues across the country.

However, it had been quite a while since I had seen them live, due to a growing family, work and the like.

Thankfully, an old work colleague, David, put on social media that he had a spare ticket to the concert and was looking for someone to go with. I jumped at the chance.

We arranged to meet in London, near Kings Cross, and make a day of it.

Considering that we hadn't seen each other in around 15 years, it was like we had never been apart. Meandering our way down to the River Thames, via a few pubs, we headed for the Thames Clipper and made our way to Greenwich Peninsula.

After a few drinks of Trooper inside the dome, we made our way in to the Arena proper.

We had deliberately missed the support act, but that was of no real concern as they were not who we, or any of the other Maiden fans, had paid to see.

Suffice to say, Iron Maiden were on top form and were absolutely amazing.

Roll on the next tour.

Up the IRONS!

Iron Maiden