Iron Maiden (2 of 2)

Grey, overcast and downright miserable.

That was the impression I got of the sky on Saturday morning as I looked out of a bedroom window.

It goes without saying that it was pissing down.

Still I had paid for my ticket, and it was Iron Maiden; no amount of bad weather would put me off.

Having spent the night at a friends, it was for the first part of the day; a case of hanging around and waiting for the rest of our group to turn up.

Everybody having arrived at around 2pm we set out, thankfully one of us doesn’t drink so the car became an option. Finding a parking place some 15 minutes walk away from the legendary Twickenham stadium we made the last part of the journey on foot.

I had never been to the home of English rugby before, and as it rounded into view I had to admit; I was a little disappointed. It was just so grey.

Still at 3:30 the gates opened and the crowd began to filter in, having waited for the initial queues to die down my group made our own way through the gates and on to the matted pitch.

Opting to part with our money in exchange for drinks we settled down along the sidelines as we awaited the show to begin.

Lauren Harris

Being the daughter of Steve Harris, Iron Maiden’s bassist, main song writer, founder member and general leader it would only be fair to say that there was a small amount of nepotism involved with her placement on the bill.

But did she really deserve to be there? To be honest it’s hard to say. As she took to the stage the venue was still half empty.

Anyone who has ever been to a stadium gig will know that a half filled place echoes like hell and plays hell with the sound.

For most of her set I couldn’t understand a word she was singing.

However she tried hard, and even joked about how awful the sound was. Her energy was infectious and she seemed to be able to please the front 10 rows at least.

Towards the last 5 minutes the sound had improved enough that I could actually hear her sing, while I wouldn’t say I’m a fan yet. I’d be interested in seeing her again with a more suitable PA.

Within Temptation

I had never heard of the Dutch gothic rockers before, so had no idea what to expect.
The first thing that was obvious as singer Sharon den Adel began to belt out her operatic style, was that the sound had improved a great deal since Lauren Harris had departed the stage.

The style was a mix of gothic, operatic, rock and metal. And most importantly, it worked.

Managing to walk the line between being entertaining and laughable they put on a fine display for the uneducated like myself.

How good did I think they were? Well the following day I dropped by a large record store and picked up their latest CD.

Avenged Sevenfold

The last of the support acts; the band had a lot to live to. Not only did they have to be better than Within Temptation but they also had a large following of their own in the crowd to please.

Unfortunately they didn’t, I wanted to like them. But as a live band they are shockingly bad. The harmony guitars sound like a cats being strangled. The singer was completely incomprehensible.

Which is a shame, as the vocalist when he spoke, had a genuine charm. You couldn’t help but get the impression that he felt privileged to be there, and even more privileged that most of the crowd seemed to enjoy their stuff.

But me, I just thought they were shit.



So that was it, the support bands out of the way. I didn’t stay till the end of Avenged Sevenfold’s set; I left for the outer concourse. Enjoyed a death-burger and another pint.

And then as UFO’s song “Doctor Doctor” (A song that Iron Maiden covered as a B-side) began to play over the PA I knew it was time to re-enter, rejoin my friend and make my way upfront for the main event.

Iron Maiden

Two huge screens flanked the stage, showing clips of the band on tour, this gave way to images of World War 2 as Winston Churchill’s famous “We will fight them on the beaches” speech was blasted through the speakers.

No sooner had Churchill said the magic line “We will never surrender” than pyrotechnics exploded into life and the opening bars of Aces High rang out.

As the song picked up-tempo the band charged the stage and just like on my DVD, the crowd went wild.

The set was Egyptian themed, with an elaborate lighting display. The backdrop curtain was of the sliding veracity providing a different theme for every song.

As the last bar of the first song closed Adrian Smith began the riff to open Two Minutes to Midnight.

Bruce Dickinson changed into a red 19th centaury army jacket for The Trooper.

Wasted Years proved to be the big sing along song of the night, 55,000 voices in unison must have been heard all across West London.

Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner proved to be another hit, for the slow part of the 13-minute epic the lighting rig was lowered and sent swaying to match the musical picture.

Powerslave sent the fans into a screaming frenzy, the screams turned to chants for Heaven Can Wait.

Another massive sing along came with Fear Of The Dark, and before we knew it the bands final song; the self titled Iron Maiden.

At the half way stage of the song the giant sarcophagus hanging around at the back split open to revel the biggest Eddie yet, covered in bandages this was a bigger and bidder version of the one from Live After Death

And all too soon it was over.



Throughout the night both Bruce Dickinson and Steve Harris had run the length of the stage, showing more vigour and stamina than men half their age.

Bruce’s powerful vocals were on top form all night, with Revelations being a particular highlight.

As ever Steve Harris played his bass perfectltly, with speed and passion.

Janick Gers had danced and pranced like a lunatic, how he manages to play guitar at the same time defies belief. Although it sounded like there were a few bum notes in his solos the way the man moves it can only be expected.

The rather more reserved Adrian Smith and Dave Murray also played their parts. Laying down solid rhythms and inspiring solos.

And last but not least Nicko McBrain, you can never see him behind that drum kit. But you can hear him, never the same fill twice its no wonder he is a legend among all other drummers.

But it wasn’t over yet, Bruce Dickinson returned to the stage to promise despite whatever roomers were going around. Iron Maiden would record another studio album.

Then a brief mention of culture as Dave Murray took up an acoustic guitar for the opening of Moonchild.

All the stops were pulled out as one last giant Eddie from Somewhere on tour gave the band one last chance to dodge their own theatrical theme.

And then it was Hallowed be Thy Name, the most rocking version of it yet.

The band played with a passion and conviction that others can only dream of. There is a reason why so many other bands fell by the wayside while Iron Maiden went from strength to strength.

They always said they were a live band, and at Twickenham they proved why.

Last time I asked could a band where the youngest member hits 50 this year still do it 23 years on from Live After Death.

My opinion.

Not only can they still do it, their even better at it.




Set list


Churchill's Speech
Aces High
2 minutes to midnight
Revelations
The Trooper
Wasted Years
Number of the Beast
Run to the hills
Rime of the ancient mariner
Powerslave
Heaven can wait
Can I Play with madness
Fear of the Dark
Iron Maiden

Encore

Moonchild
The Clairvoyant
Hallowed be thy name