The days I had been eagerly waiting for finally arrived, and unfortunately, they’ve already come and gone. In this post, I’ll share my experience from one of the most important days for me: the Iron Maiden concert. I hope you enjoy reading about it!

On the morning of June 26, even though I felt a bit sad leaving Hellfest behind, I was also incredibly excited because I was about to see my favorite band. After a short tour around the city and meeting some fellow Maiden fans by chance, we arrived at the La Defense area around 2:30 PM, where the concert was to be held. Despite the doors opening at 4:00 PM, there was already a long line of fans eagerly waiting. The Iron Maiden fanbase is vast, encompassing all ages. We joined the line and quickly got through security when the doors opened at 4:00 PM.

As we entered the venue, it was clear why it’s known as Europe’s largest indoor performance space—it was massive. Even though the front barrier spots were taken, we managed to get quite close to the stage. The setup was still ongoing, and I noticed that some of the crew members were partially in makeup and costumes. Around 5:30 PM, they suddenly took the stage in full costume, revealing themselves as the German gothic/dark metal band “Lord of The Lost,” the first opening act. Despite not knowing their songs well, they delivered an impressive performance and entertained the crowd well. Their engaging presence and humility won me over, and I’ve been listening to them since the concert. I’ll definitely try to catch them at their own show in the future.

After LOTL, the arena grew even more crowded as Airbourne took the stage with high energy. Starting with “Ready To Rock,” they immediately got the crowd going with crowd surfing and mosh pits. Their set included hits like “Back in the Game,” “Girls in Black,” “Boneshaker,” “Breakin Outta Hell,” and “Live It Up.” Joel O’Keeffe’s antics, such as smashing a beer can on his head and throwing beers into the crowd, kept the energy high. At one point, the entire audience was made to crouch down before bursting back up. Their set was a pure rock ‘n’ roll party, with everyone fully immersed.

After Airbourne, the stage was prepared for the main act. Water was passed around the crowd, which was a lifesaver since leaving to get a drink wasn’t an option.

At 8:05 PM, the lights went out, and the classic prelude of UFO’s “Doctor Doctor” began playing, signaling the imminent start of Iron Maiden’s performance. The crowd’s excitement was palpable. As the song ended, the stage fell silent, only to explode with energy as the band launched into “Senjutsu,” with Samurai Eddie making an appearance. They continued with “Stratego” and “The Writing on the Wall,” and despite these being newer songs, the crowd sang along with fervo

After “TWOTW,” the stage transformed for the older hits. “Revelations” marked the start of the nostalgic journey, followed by “Blood Brothers,” which made me incredibly happy. It wasn’t part of their 2019 tour setlist, but seeing it reintroduced for this tour was a delight, as it’s the song that got me hooked on Iron Maiden. I sang along to every word.

Bruce Dickinson’s costume changes and dramatic stage setups were highlights throughout the show. “Sign of the Cross” and “Flight of Icarus” featured intricate props and pyrotechnics. “Fear of the Dark” had the crowd singing along from the first note, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. “Hallowed be Thy Name” and “The Number of The Beast” followed, each performed with immense energy and precision. “Iron Maiden” closed the main set, with Bruce declaring, “Iron Maiden’s gonna fuckin’ get all of you!”

The encore began with “The Trooper,” featuring Bruce in his trooper outfit and a mock sword fight with Eddie. “The Clansman” had everyone shouting “Freedom!” and “Run to the Hills” ended the first encore explosively. Finally, Churchill’s speech led into “Aces High,” with Bruce in a pilot uniform and an impressive plane prop.

The entire concert was a testament to Iron Maiden’s dedication to delivering an unparalleled live experience. The elaborate stage designs, frequent costume changes, and pyrotechnics were all meticulously planned. The crowd’s energy matched the band’s, with constant mosh pits and enthusiastic participation.

As a huge Maiden fan, this concert exceeded all my expectations. Seeing them live for the first time was a dream come true, and I’m already looking forward to the next time. Until then, Up the Irons!