David MoyaI hadn’t seen Iron Maiden in 20 years, so getting the chance to see them live again in Malahide Castle for their 50th anniversary tour was something truly special. We bought our tickets about six or seven months ago, and the show had been sold out for months. The band played tracks exclusively from their debut album Iron Maiden through to Fear of the Dark, deliberately skipping No Prayer for the Dying—a bold and interesting choice that focused entirely on their most iconic era.
When we arrived at Malahide Castle, we were blown away by how beautiful the place was. We took a walk around the venue and the surrounding parklands—it was absolutely stunning, and the castle itself was magnificent. My friend and I wandered around to the back of the venue, and from a distance, I spotted Iron Maiden’s trucks and the passarelle leading up to the stage. We even tried our luck chatting with security at the backstage entrance, hoping to sneak a peek—but no success, of course. Still, what chancers we are!
Around 5 PM, we made our way to the front and finally entered the venue. The atmosphere inside was electric—a true celebration. The crowd was incredibly diverse and multigenerational, with fans ranging from kids as young as 8 to lifelong rockers in their 70s. I even had a great chat with a lovely mother from Mayo who had brought her two kids, aged 14 and 15, to see Maiden for the first time. That moment really captured the spirit of the night—Iron Maiden uniting generations through music.
There were two merchandise stands, both absolutely packed. We queued for about an hour just to grab a couple of T-shirts, but honestly, it was all part of the experience and totally worth it. Afterward, we grabbed some burgers and coffee. Thankfully, there were no queues for food—the service was fast and efficient, which was a pleasant surprise.
Let start with the 2 support bands before the main event
The Raven Age
First up was The Raven Age, a melodic metal band known for their technical skill—and for featuring George Harris, son of Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris. While their performance was tight and clearly well-rehearsed, I have to be honest: I found their set underwhelming. It felt flat and predictable, lacking the energy or originality to really capture the crowd’s attention. For me, it just didn’t click, and I lost interest fairly quickly. They obviously have talent, but perhaps this wasn’t the ideal crowd—or the right context—for their sound.
Halestorm
Next came Halestorm, fronted by the powerhouse vocalist Lzzy Hale. They brought a much heavier hard rock vibe to the stage, with a commanding presence and a very polished performance. Lzzy’s vocals were absolutely incredible live—gritty, powerful, and full of emotion. Songs like Love Bites (So Do I) and I Miss the Misery got a fantastic reaction from the crowd. It was clear they were seasoned performers who knew exactly how to work a large, festival-style audience. Halestorm added a fresh energy to the evening and helped build up the excitement leading into the main event.
Iron Maiden
And then it was time for the main event—the band we all came to see: Iron Maiden.
As always, to hype up the crowd before hitting the stage, they played “Doctor Doctor” by UFO over the speakers. It’s a classic pre-show ritual, and the moment those opening notes hit, the atmosphere instantly shifted. Everyone started singing along, and the energy in the crowd built to a fever pitch—excitement, anticipation, and emotion all mixing together. You could feel it in the air: something epic was about to happen.
They opened the set with “Murder in the Rue Morgue”—a song I had never seen them perform live before, and what an incredible surprise it was. The crowd erupted from the very first note, singing along at full volume and feeding off the raw energy coming from the stage. It was the perfect way to kick things off.
The first part of the set paid tribute to the Paul Di’Anno era. They played classics like “Wrathchild,” “Killers,” and “Phantom of the Opera.” Di’Anno sadly passed away last October, which gave these early songs an added emotional weight. There was a small slip during “Killers“—the band added four extra bars at the end. Bruce had already finished singing, so the moment caught him slightly off guard. It was a brief mistake, but it made the show feel even more live, spontaneous, and real.
“Phantom of the Opera“ was a standout moment. Bruce delivered a flawless vocal performance, but I have to admit—after hearing these tracks for years with Paul’s raw, punk-infused voice, they still feel like they belong to him. That said, Phantom has always felt like a bridge between both eras of Maiden, and with Bruce at the helm, it took on a different kind of power. There was a strong sense of nostalgia in the air—bittersweet, but deeply moving.
Next, they played another classic: “The Number of the Beast.“ The band delivered it flawlessly, and the crowd went wild. Up to that point, the songs had followed a chronological order. But now, the flow changed.
They jumped ahead to the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son album with “The Clairvoyant.“ The performance was spot on. The crowd was completely into it—singing, cheering, and soaking up every second. Everyone was clearly having the time of their lives.
They kept the momentum going with “The Number of the Beast,” which sounded pitch-perfect and had the crowd roaring. Up to that point, the setlist was in chronological order, but that pattern broke when they jumped ahead to the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son era.
“The Clairvoyant” came next, and it was delivered with incredible precision. The crowd was fully locked in—singing, cheering, and completely immersed. The energy stayed sky-high as they ran through a string of classics:
- “2 Minutes to Midnight”
- “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
- “Run to the Hills”
- “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son”
- “The Trooper,” which had the crowd in absolute chaos (in the best way)
- “Hallowed Be Thy Name”
- And just before the encore, they played “Iron Maiden” from the debut album
During “Iron Maiden,” I noticed something a bit off in the drumming. With Simon Dawson now behind the kit—following Nicko McBrain’s retirement from live touring after recovering from a stroke—there were moments where the swing and feel that Nicko brought seemed to be missing. Especially on a stripped-down song like “Iron Maiden,” where each drum part is clearly defined, any lack of groove becomes more noticeable. It wasn’t just the absence of drum fills—it was the subtle intensity and flair that Nicko was known for. That said, this is Simon’s first tour with the band, and stepping into such a legendary role is no small task. He still did a fantastic job overall and showed great potential.
For the encore, the band returned to the stage to thunderous applause and a sea of chanting fans. They launched straight into “Aces High”, with Bruce charging out. The energy skyrocketed—guitar harmonies blazing, drums pounding like engines in flight. It was a full-throttle tribute to Maiden’s war-themed epics, and the crowd responded with fists in the air and every word shouted back with passion.
Next came “Fear of the Dark”, and if the venue had a roof, it would’ve been blown off. As expected, the crowd transformed into a massive choir, singing along like absolute lunatics during that iconic intro melody. There’s something about this song live—it turns every Maiden show into a shared ritual. People from all walks of life, cultures, and generations howled the verses together as if they’d known them their whole lives. The dynamic between the band and audience in this moment felt electric and emotional.
To close the night, Iron Maiden delivered the perfect send-off: “Wasted Years.” A song that always hits differently live—its introspective lyrics and bittersweet melody carry a weight of reflection that seems to grow more powerful with time. Adrian Smith’s opening riff felt like a spark of nostalgia, instantly recognizable and deeply emotional. Bruce’s vocals soared with clarity and warmth as he urged the crowd not to waste time worrying about the past. There was a shared sense in the air—of age, memory, and appreciation. For longtime fans, “Wasted Years” wasn’t just a song—it was a reminder of the journey Maiden has taken them on for decades. It wrapped the night up with both a roar and a quiet sense of closure.
As the final notes rang out and the stage lights dimmed, there was a sense that everyone had just witnessed something special—more than just a concert, it was a celebration of legacy, resilience, and pure, unfiltered heavy metal.
