Iron Maiden reveal UK and Ireland tour dates – and exactly when tickets go on sale
BRITISH metal giants Iron Maiden have revealed UK and Ireland tour dates celebrating 50 years of monster madness.
The rockers, who are synonymous with their zombie-like mascot Eddie, are promising fans the “most spectacular and elaborate show ever”.
Announcing the anniversary world tour on social media, the band’s account shared: “The Run For Your Lives World Tour will kick off on May 27th next year in Budapest followed by 27 stadium, festival & arena shows around Europe.
“The tour marks 50 years since Steve Harris formed the band in late 1975 and to celebrate this Maiden fans are promised a very special set list, spanning the nine studio albums from ‘Iron Maiden’ to ‘Fear Of The Dark’, with their most spectacular and elaborate show ever!”
The UK dates include Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and a huge show at the London Stadium, home to bassist and founder Harris’s beloved West Ham United.
Another massive show is lined up for Malahide Castle, Dublin, where support will come courtesy of American rockers Halestorm and Brit metallers The Raven Age.
Maiden said: “Special Guests for the first half of the tour, including the London & Dublin outdoor shows (but not the UK arenas), will be American rockers Halestorm.
“The second half of the tour sees Sweden’s Avatar as guests. And, finally, British metal band, The Raven Age, will open all UK & Ireland shows.”
A presale for tickets will take place on September 26 at 12pm.
Ecstatic fan are now predicting Maiden will headline Download Festival next summer too.
One commented: “Download 2025 headliner for sure.”
Another said: “They’re tears of joy, I swear.”
A third posted: “I’m just so happy you’re all still going strong this is the best news!”
The Irons are known for their galloping rhythms and epic songcraft, often drawing inspiration from famous literature and historic moments.
There have been numerous personnel shifts over the years but the current line-up consists of Steve Harris, guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers. frontman Bruce Dickinson and drummer Nicko McBrain.
Dickinson, who is also a qualified pilot and often jets the band around the world in the famous Ed Force One 747, replaced original singer Paul Di’Anno in 1981.
He is the voice behind their biggest hits including 80s classics Run To The Hills, Two Minutes To Midnight, Aces High and The Trooper.
In 1993, Dickinson went on hiatus and was replaced by Blaze Bayley who received a mixed reception from fans.
However, by the end of the decade Dickinson was back in the fold and the band haven’t looked back since, garnering rave reviews for their album releases since, including latest efforts Senjutsu and The Book of Souls.
Iron Maiden's career timeline
1975: Formation
Iron Maiden was formed on Christmas Day in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. The original line-up included Harris, Dave Sullivan (guitar), Terry Rance (guitar), Ron “Rebel” Matthews (drums), and Paul Day (vocals).
1980: Debut Album
Iron Maiden released their self-titled debut album, “Iron Maiden”. The album was well-received and included tracks like “Phantom of the Opera” and “Running Free”.
1981: ‘Killers’ and New Guitarist
The band released their second album, “Killers”. Adrian Smith joined as the second guitarist, solidifying the twin-guitar sound that would become a signature of the band.
1982: ‘The Number of the Beast’ and Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson replaced Paul Di’Anno as the lead vocalist. The band released “The Number of the Beast”, which became a massive success and included iconic tracks like “Run to the Hills” and the title track.
1983-1984: ‘Piece of Mind’ and ‘Powerslave’
The band released “Piece of Mind” (1983) and “Powerslave” (1984), both of which were highly successful and included classics like “The Trooper” and “2 Minutes to Midnight”.
1985: ‘Live After Death’
Iron Maiden released their first live album, “Live After Death”, recorded during the “World Slavery Tour”.
1986: ‘Somewhere in Time’
The band released “Somewhere in Time”, which featured a more futuristic sound and the use of guitar synthesisers. Key tracks included “Wasted Years” and “Heaven Can Wait”.
1988: ‘Seventh Son of a Seventh Son’
The concept album “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” was released, featuring tracks like “Can I Play with Madness” and “The Evil That Men Do”.
1990-1993: Line-up Changes and ‘Fear of the Dark’
Adrian Smith left the band and was replaced by Janick Gers. The band released “No Prayer for the Dying” (1990) and “Fear of the Dark” (1992), the latter including the title track which became a fan favourite.
1993: Bruce Dickinson Departs
Bruce Dickinson left the band to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Blaze Bayley.
1995-1998: Blaze Bayley Era
During Bayley’s tenure, the band released “The X Factor” (1995) and “Virtual XI” (1998). These albums received mixed reviews and the band’s popularity waned.
1999: Return of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith
Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith rejoined Iron Maiden, revitalising the band’s line-up. Janick Gers remained, making Iron Maiden a six-member band.
2000: ‘Brave New World’
The band released “Brave New World”, which was well-received and marked a strong comeback with tracks like “The Wicker Man” and “Blood Brothers”.
2003-2015: Continued Success
Iron Maiden released several successful albums including “Dance of Death” (2003), “A Matter of Life and Death” (2006), “The Final Frontier” (2010), and “The Book of Souls” (2015).
2021: ‘Senjutsu’
The band released “Senjutsu”, their seventeenth studio album, which continued to receive critical acclaim and showcased their enduring legacy in the heavy metal genre.