Iron Maiden – Concert Review – 06/12/2010
The last time I saw Maiden was in 2008 on the Somewhere In Time Tour in San Antonio, Texas. It was probably the best performance I had ever seen by the band and was my 3rd show since the Seventh Son Tour. Anyone who knows me knows that Maiden is my number one band of all time. Sure they have some albums that I despise, but I love them. Always have, always will.
When I found out that they were coming to San Antonio’s AT&T Center this year, I was stoke. Even more so because this time it was an inside arena show. There’s something special about seeing big bands in an arena as compared to an amphitheater. I wasn’t too excited to learn that Dream Theater was opening up. Sure, they’re a talented band but I haven’t cared for anything they have put out since Images and Words.
As usual for just about any show, I bought 2 tickets. Someone always wants to go who may have forgotten to get a ticket or couldn’t afford one at the time or whatever. My spare ticket was originally purchased for my guitar player but he decided a few weeks ago that he didn’t want to go. No biggie. So I asked my beautiful friend Christine to go with me as my guest and thankfully she obliged. Her knees may have even buckled a little when I asked. :)
The only unfortunate thing was that I bought my tickets late in the day when they went on sale as I forgot all about it. I got decent seats, but not great seats. No biggie. Just being there is all that matters.
A few weeks ago my friend Michael asked if he and our mutual friend, Sean, could go with us and of course I said yes. He’s a huge Maiden fan as well, no matter that he’s the bass player for a well known country band in Texas. A few days before the show we were chatting he said that he may be able to get us better seats or a box suite for the show. He knows a dude who knows a dude or something like that. I got even more excited about the show, but even without a hookup, the trip with good friends to see the greatest band in the world was going to be wonderful…and it was.
I saw the setlists from the previous 2 shows in Dallas and Houston and was originally a little disappointed that it contained stuff primarily from the last 3 albums with 3 or 4 old songs thrown in at the end. After a day or 2 of rationalizing, I figured hey, they did the hits tour 2 years ago, why not play stuff that is fresh to them, eh? Sure, having to endure songs from the painful Dance of Death wasn’t making me excited but they were playing some stuff from Brave New World and the awesome A Matter of Life and Death. So, we’re all good here.
So here we are on Saturday, show day. I played taxi and picked everyone up separately and we headed south to San Antonio. We get to the venue around 6:30PM and the crowd is rolling in. It’s a hot and beautiful day.
There was a merch booth outside and we grabbed a load of shirts and then get in line as the doors were open to the venue. Michael and Sean had to go to the will call booth to get theirs so we met them inside. Christine and I hit another merch booth and I buy some more shirts. Iron Maiden always makes shirts especially for their Texas shows and this one was no exception. In 2008 I only bought one shirt for me and the next day they were selling on eBay for $100 or more. You see, I am a capitalist. If I can turn a profit on my investment, I’m going to do it. So I bought a small load of the Texas only shirts. We’ll see how my venture turns out. :)
Michael calls us as we are finishing up at the booth and we meet him near the main entrance. We get introduced to his “guy” and we’re ushered up the step to the box suites. He says, “I’ll bring some beer in a little bit but this is the best I can do for the moment.” The best you can do? Dude! You just put us in a beautifully decorated box with a great view of the stage! None of us were complaining and we were all a little freaked out by the whole thing. It was very special treatment and I certainly owe my friend something huge in return for this.
After getting my head back down to earth, the lights go down and Dream Theater takes the stage. I’m not really a fan even thought I like their first 2 albums. I don’t know any of the material beyond Images and
Dream Theater
Words and suspected that they wouldn’t play anything except Pull Me Under. I was right. Their performance was solid but I was a little bored. The rest of crowd seemed to enjoy them pretty well.
Here’s their list:
- As I am
- A Rite of Passage
- Home
- Constant Motion
- Panic Attack
- Constant Motion
- Pull Me Under
Dream Theater taking their final bows
Between sets, Michael and Sean go down to see where their seats are and they’re close to the front on Gers’ side and they stay there for Maiden’s set. Christine and I stay in the box. It was literally about 10 rows straight up from where our seats were, so why leave?
Maiden hits the stage and starts the rock with Wicker Man. The sound was good and the band was energetic. In true Maiden style, they changed back drops quite a bit and Bruce was all over the stage. The band was
Bruce Bruce. Photo used by permission by Jay West
great. They always are. As most who know me already know, I despise the fact that Gers is still in the band. It always pains me to see him prancing around the stage and playing sloppy solos. Last night was a little different though. It seems as if they have maybe reigned him in a little bit. Sure he did a little of his prancing and guitar twirling, but he mostly stayed to his side of the stage. I think also that since they were primarily playing songs from “his” era, he was involved in the music a little more. His solos were pretty good. It does still pain me to see him doing some of Adrian’s solos in the old stuff while Adrian is standing there on stage. I would assume that Adrian isn’t bothered by it.
Christine and I rocked it in the suite. It was a blast and was a very special night. Any night seeing Iron Maiden is special for me. Bruce stated that the show was sold out but I saw lots of empty seats. Maybe some people got mad about the setlist and didn’t show. Who cares. We were there. Dallas got to see them do Brighter Than a 1000 Suns but for Houston and and San Antonio we got Wrathchild. I would have preferred 1000 Suns. I love that song. I think they threw it in the list as a replacement to keep the crowd involved. Bruce said several years ago that US fans only wanted to hear the hits and that it was annoying. He was right. We got the hits 2 years ago so I can totally see why they wanted to do a set of stuff that was more fresh to them. They played a new song from the upcoming album…El Dorado. It sounded much better live than on the studio recording that was released last week.
One awesome thing that I saw was that there were 2 people on the floor behind the soundboard doing sign language to every song for both bands and all of the between song banter. Obviously there were some deaf people in that section. That was pretty cool to see.
Here’s Iron Maiden’s setlist:
- The Wicker Man
- Ghost of the Navigator
- Wrathchild
- El Dorado
- Pachendale
- The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
- These Colours Don’t Run(!!!)
- Blood Brothers
- Wildest Dreams
- No More Lies
- Brave New World
- Fear of the Dark (I hate this song…and album)
- Iron Maiden
- Number of the Beast (encore – they have a new devil!)
- Hallowed Be Thy Name (encore)
- Running Free (encore)
Let me just add in here that I am so friggin’ glad I didn’t have to sit through the Trooper. That almost made the show worth it right there.
Overall it was a great night with great friends seeing the greatest band in the world. I am utterly humbled and thankful for the special treatment that we got. The drive home was great and went by quickly. All of us talking about the show. This was Shawn and Christine’s first Maiden show and they were blown away. It’s funny, Michael and I have only known each other for about 2 years. He’s originally from Virginia as well. He was wearing his original Seventh Son tour shirt and we both saw that show at the Hampton Coliseum in 1988. Small world. Thanks Michael, Christine and Sean. Always nice to share experiences like this with good people.
I’ll have videos uploaded soon. For now, enjoy the pictures.
Iron Maiden
Sean and Christine in our sweet suite
The view from up there...where eagles dare.
Me, Michael, Sean...Eddie's boys
La mas bonita del mundo disfrutando el show.
Texas only shirt...front
Texas only shirt...back
Iron Maiden
Always look on the bright side of life...
See more of Jay West’s awesome photos here!
The Metal Files 
I saw the show in Houston. I missed the last one ( overseas working) and heard it was the show of a lifetime. The show before that ( in Houston) was the show after Maiden got kicked off the tour ( Ozzfest 2005) which I flew in from Afghanistan just to see the show. To sum it up, I havent seen Maiden since 85′-86 Poweslave ( with W.A.S.P.) That show was great, even compared to todays standards. My blood was pumping for this show ( June 11, 2010 , Houston) But, this is by far the most disappointing show I have ever witnessed, From the poor sound quality, obstructed view ( $90 floor seats) piss-poor songlist, and the usual “Inconspicuous American-fan bashing from Bruce”. I wish I could spread the word on what a waste of time and MONEY this show was. I am a Maiden fan from way back. I’m 40 yrs old, and I saw more yawns in the crowd than horns. To sum things up, if I was blind I would have envisioned thes geriatrics in wheelchairs and crutches and purposely pissing the fans off. Bruce even commented on some “Soccer game ” that was to take place the following day,,,,,if I remember, there was a “guarantee” of an American loss,,,,,I guess karma is a bitch Bruce,,,,,,,My advise,,,,,go buy the video Flight 666,,,spend the other 60 bucks ( cost of ticket) and see what Maiden is really about….
Dave Brady
June 13, 2010 at 11:37 am
I have seen IRON MAIDEN almost every single tour since the amazing POWERSLAVE (easily one of the best shows ever that I have attended), and they have been decent, but nearly all have been a let-down compared to that tour.
And yes, watching Janick Gers prance around the stage urks me to no end too. BTW Maiden’s album covers bug me this decade too!
BUT, I am very glad they are sill playing together though (and still alive to do so)! Much respect to them, no matter what they decide to do or play.
**I used to work for a company in the Chicagoland area to where I could easily get those same type of sky box “living room” booths, as we used to call them. I remember I used that privilege for an IRON MAIDEN show and everyone got mad at me cause’ I was fired up and playing rabid air-drums, making general noise and was quite buzzed.
They were all just sitting up there – which made me sick cause it felt like I was just watching them on TV. Yes – they were great seats, but oh so disconnected from the show in a weird way.
So from then on out, I just got those primo seats and traded with someone in the audience (usually dead center) very close to the stage. I loved that arrangement, which lasted for many years.
Thanks for the detailed live review. I always like getting the set lists from you here on the Metal Files…
Rock On.
Kinger
Demolish Fanzine
demolishfanzine
June 13, 2010 at 12:50 pm
“Sure, having to endure songs from the painful Dance of Death wasn’t making me excited but they were playing some stuff from Brave New World ”
Can’t agree with that one. Brave new world was okay although way better than the four 90’s albums. I liked Dance of death a lot.
Sounds like it was a great show though. Nice pics and that’s a cool shirt.
I played El Dorado like five or six times. It’s good, but not great. I am hoping the rest of the album is better than that.
Metal Mark
June 13, 2010 at 4:04 pm
I went to the show in Houston on the 12th. Iron Maiden can still put on a show but this one was lame compared to the Somewhere in Time tour in 08.
I was really disappointed in Dream Theater. I am not sure if the singer of DT did this in the other concerts but what is the deal with him keep walking behind the drums out of view almost every 5 mins? Why cant the singer entertain the crowd during solos instead of hiding behind the curtains? It seems the drummer is the one who is getting the crowd pumped up and into the music
Houston Headbanger
June 13, 2010 at 8:31 pm
The first and only other time I saw DT was on the I&W tour. Between songs and during guitar solos/jams, he was side stage brushing his hair. 100% truth.
Sean (The Metal Files)
June 13, 2010 at 8:56 pm
What else can Maiden do for anyone? Should they pack it in and go to Vegas and do metalmedleys? Come on, why are Americans so hung up on Nostalgia and pretty much relive their pasts’. i.e. re-doing movies, fashion, old school, retro, vintage, ect…Always in the past never the future? What else can Bruce say for over two world tours, ” hey everybody we’re gonna do it up and play all the old stuff and then we’re moving on” to paraphrase. I’ve seen the shows, I’ve heard those songs plenty, but what I haven’t heard mostly are songs from Brave New World on. It’s really apparent that Maiden enjoy playing and writing and recording as a band. They don’t want to stop. Blaming a show because of your seat is nonsense, not paying attention to what they’ve been saying on the last two tours is not their fault as well. Not buying a CD since 88 or so, going to a show and complaining they didn’t play songs you want to hear…well. Oh and some “soccer game”? It is the World Cup and the US were playing England. Last time was 1950. And, last time I checked, Iron Maiden were English and to the whole world besides USA, it’s a big time deal. This band could pack it up, become a parody of themselves, never do arenas again, but putting out a new CD every two years? There is your clue!
TeamTbay
June 14, 2010 at 12:41 am
Hi mate, excellent review. Your sentiments on Maiden, positive as well as negative (last albums shitty and Janick being quite a clown who screws up classic Maiden solos) are exactly how I feel it. I can’t wait to go on Bruce Air to Italy in August!
S Lemmens
June 14, 2010 at 4:04 pm
I wasn’t trying to be negative at all. Word for word, Bruce said ” If you are good to us, we mighht come back”. These dude arent heros of mine. I was just stating how their show as a whole sucked. And Brave New World sucks too. From Powerslave back to their demo all rip! And that clown Janick is very irritating and not entertaining at all. Put it this way, have you ever been to a bad Slayer show?? They tear down the walls every time I see tham, newer music or not. Maiden will probablly end up like Metallica ( a lil late) and sell out and sit on their laurels. Soccer still sucks, with their kazoo blowing fans and 5ft 4 in “flopper, wannabe athletes”……….
Dave Brady
June 14, 2010 at 6:04 pm
I think with the advent of the internet and the 8 or 10 albums they’ve done since Powerslave, you’d already know what you were getting.
The second and last time I saw Slayer they were a bore…just sayin’. It’s all about expectations. I know what to expect from Slayer now so I’ll never go see them again. I also know what to expect from Maiden. We have different expectations. I got the greatest hits tour last time from Maiden in 2008. You got it in 85/86.
Sean (The Metal Files)
June 14, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Just like anything everyone sees things differently and for me the show was pretty damn sweet!!! I actually like the new music and I am sick to death of the classics (pre-’88) and I am not saying that just because I play in DRIFTER, but c’mon it’s 2010……….Janick Gers may be irritating w/ his marching, but so is Kerry King w/ his ZZ Top sunglasses…..but I still enjoy both bands!!! The complaints regarding the concert are weak at best……can’t you just enjoy a good show w/ cool light show and band members that actually move around!!! As for Dream Theater they are one of my faves and I just enjoy their musicianship……it was a perfect night for me because McBrain and Portnoy are two of my favorite drummers!!!!!
Marc
June 14, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Reading these posts is a lesson in hypocrisy. First of all I agree with Bruce and his pot shots at the USA, fans in the US are not band loyal they are BRAND loyal. Tends lead the universe to Americans and they get stuck in time ruts and forget to move forward from when they were trendy in the US. To say that Bruce picks on US audiences and then to say everyone was yawning, illustrates HIS point, not your own.
Last time I saw Slayer, Megadeth wiped the stage with them too, Slayer is just too predictable these days, though still a great live act all the same. Slayer is just more of the same these days.
You say what a great band they are, but don’t like anything they’ve done for the last 25 years? I loved Piece of Mind, World Slavery Tour was insane and most tours have been since (though I agree with Halford and Queensryche they really had a cut down stage and set, low attendance crowds throughout the tour).
As for football, if you don’t get it, that’s just fine. the rest of the world sees it as one of the most competitive and exciting sports on the planet, one that every country loves, except America. Iron Maiden are HUGE soccer fans, often playing the local pro/semi-pro teams as they tour, they even sell tour shirts designed after The Hammer’s shirts. So if you don’t GET football, that’s fair enough. (I’m sure if they referenced American football they would go over like a house on fire with US fans) To slag Iron Maiden for their references to a globally favored sport, you are merely showing that you REALLY don’t know what Iron Maiden is about and you minimize the credibility of your review. \
Perhaps they start shows there because they know US fans are a good way to rehearse and polish the act for up coming shows where they KNOW the fans are really into ‘the band’ and not the latest trend they were told was cool.
I bet they can’t wait to get out of amphitheater hell and start playing some real arenas in countries that understand who they are and what they are about, with REAL fans to play for.
So before your start pointing a finger, realize that the rest of your fingers are pointing back at you.
Up The Irons! \m/\m/
Golum
June 15, 2010 at 11:44 am
well said, sir.
Sean (The Metal Files)
June 15, 2010 at 11:51 am
Hey All –
Come on now kids, everyone is entitled to their own opinion(s), whether you think they are “right or wrong” and or agree or disagree with them.
This is just a friendly “metal” forum essentially in which peeps are welcome to throw in their $0.02.
Listening to some peeps try to justify their statements, or try to prove THEIR point just cracks me up.
There really is NO need, as everyone “sees” the world differently through their OWN set of eyes.
I think the key theme here (like Sean stated) should be:
E X P E C T A T I O N (S).
Regardless of their recent performances and or newer material, MAIDEN still kills most bands out there and they are one of the main forces in Metal…(past or present) -let’s not lose sight of that!!
Kinger
Demolish HQ
demolishfanzine
June 15, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Very cool personal documentation of this Iron Maiden concert. That suite must have been really sweet! I like all Dream Theater… then again, I am an ELOhead and a pushover for Pink Floyd too. That is funny stuff… James Labrie “brushing his hair” behind/side of stage. Maybe he is superstitious and brushing his hair is part of his “concert ritual”? Maybe… he is doing a commercial for Pert Plus Shampoo and was being filmed? :)
Always a great read and journey with your posts!
Stone
metalodyssey
June 17, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Nice review, thanks for the set lists… DT tends to mix theirs up, but if they play that exact set in Chicago I’ll be very pleased. I’m pumped to see Maiden playing mostly new stuff… except maybe “Breeg” – hopefully that one isn’t so plodding live.
Misc comments: Bruce is one of kind… I have never seen another singer as entertaining as him during the guitar solos and interludes, etc… “conducting” the entire audience, etc. His rants become tiresome but aren’t anything to get excited about – he always rants: it’s part of the show. Soccer is much on the British mind these days, and Bruce may get even crankier if the USA advances and GB doesn’t. (Heheh!)
Also, with LaBrie going backstage during DT interludes… again, not everyone can be Bruce, but also, a DT interlude is usually a technical extravaganza of instrumental prowess that requires your full attention: rabid DT fans don’t care about LaBrie’s absence during a Petrucci guitar solo.
Can’t wait for Chicago… during Somewhere Back in Time, we screamed until Bruce just kicked back on his monitor and soaked it in for a spell… and now voila, just like he told us then: they’re back! Up the Irons!!!
Johnny Strings
June 21, 2010 at 9:16 pm
I went to the Iron Maiden 2010 tour June 19,2010, with my boyfriend and my kids. I was so excited people were just piling in, all ages alot of young people and older with their kids.. Everyone wearing Iron Maiden Shirts.. I was very Disappointed with the set list.. unbelievable and i wasnt the only one the crowd was disappointed too. Most of their new stuff, you stood around not knowing the words and just waiting on pins and needles for the familiar good stuff.. I left very upset i couldnt wait to get the heck out of their and not waste any more time on that night.. the music they chose SUCKED BALLS, BIG BALLS.. Fricken disapointment!!!! what a dam shame to do that to their fans.. UNREAL
YVETTE
June 23, 2010 at 10:40 am
obviously you haven’t been paying attention to iron maiden at all over the last 2 years.
Sean (The Metal Files)
June 23, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Everyone standing around on pins waiting for the older stuff and not knowing the words to the newer stuff?
Sorry…if you are a fan you would learn the newer stuff…last 3 albums are fantastic albums, although I agree that Fear in the Dark is one of my least favourites.
I am also glad they are refreshingly playing stuff other than the overplayed nostalgia only setlists. Been there done that for the last 25 years…
Epyx
June 24, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Caught the band in Washington a few days after your show. They were killer as expected. I was cool with the new songs in the set list. I didn’t know a lot of them but it forced me to check them out on iTunes and now I have Brave New World stuck in my head! I posted a full review with video and photos here – http://bit.ly/94kY6j
Isorski
June 25, 2010 at 10:04 am
I really don’t get it…. the Trooper, Run to the hills, blah blah blah. Thank you maiden a new set list at last!!!!!!!. People complaining about this???? well, learn the new stuff in my opinion a breath of fresh air> I saw maiden in 08 in Puerto Rico,killer show but true maiden fans like myself really understand the evolution of the band. Last 3 albums are way much better than the classics. Classics are classics but MOVE ON!!!!!! . Songs like rainmaker, longest day, brave new world are concert material. I don’t mind skipping all the classics rather have new stuff.
Salvatella
June 27, 2010 at 12:29 am
i do nto agree that the last 3 albums are better than the classics, but AMOLAD was pretty good…but it’s no Powerslave or Killer.
Sean (The Metal Files)
June 27, 2010 at 1:34 am
I agree with Evette 100%. The show I saw in Houston was like seeing Judas Priest playing their whole “Turbo Lover” album and throwing in a couple cool tunes. The fans are what makes the band. I saw a damn ICP ( Insane Clown Posse) show, and those guys put on a killer show FOR THE FANS. I dont even consider half of their shit music, but it was entertaining. I am not comparing the two ( and I know some of you braindead fucks will give me hell for this) I also saw Mudvayne last year and was floored with how they “played to the crowd”. When you leave a show with a smile on your face, and your blood is pumping, thats what its all about. Im not saying Maiden sucks, it was a well rehearsed, boring, waste of money, in my opinion. Im sure there was a good reason for Maiden getting “egged on stage” during the Ozzfest 06′ tour. Im actually trying to reach out to TRUE MAIDEN FANS to not attend this tour,,,,,then we’ll see where Maiden stands. That will never happen with all these “sheeple” that worship a band no matter how bad they suck at any given show,,,,,,,,,,if your a moron, then please respond with a negative comment,,,,,,,,,,,
Dave Brady
July 4, 2010 at 11:54 am
First of all, it’s “if you’re a moron”, not “your”. Maiden has been saying for 2+ years that they were not going to continue to tour for the classics. If you went to the show and didn’t enjoy it, it’s your problem, not Maiden’s. Maiden sucked it up for several years in the 1990s and I had 2 chances to see them with Blayze Bailey and skipped both times. This recent show was great. There were only 3 songs that I didn’t care to hear, not too shabby. And fuck…I didn’t hear the Trooper! I was so happy about that.
You’re entitled to your opinion, even if it is a bit misguided.
Sean (The Metal Files)
July 4, 2010 at 12:25 pm
I was at the concert in Toronto, on July 3 and had a blast. I was a fan of Maiden in the 80’s, I lived in Romania at that time, there was communism and just listening to heavy metal could get you in trouble with the Secret Service. I then left the country and lost contact with metal for a decade. I reconnected a few years ago due to invention of MP3 and of course the first thing I downloaded were the Maiden classics and I loved them even more. It’s true, I wished they had played more classics but you know what, this concert opened my mind to the new albums which are as great as the old ones. So I can say, yes, great show, great music, I enjoyed it with my wife and my 9 year-old daughter. I recommend it to all metal fans, regardless of age.
Dodu
July 6, 2010 at 9:05 am
I missed Maiden on this last tour. I did have the awesome opportunity to play in a Soccer (Futbol) Match against Maiden in 1987. I was going to Texas Tech in Lubbock,TX and they played a game against the Tech soccer team the day before the concert. The local radio station FMX 94.5 had been advertising it all week. “Come see Iron Maiden play Texas Tech this Friday at 2pm” When we showed up an hour early to warm up, there were at least 1500 kids in leather surrounding the field. Then the tour bus rolled up and off came the Maiden team (4 of the 5 played, including Bruce and their roadies). We beat them 5-0 and every goal we scored the fans were booing. It was a great moment. And went to see them the next evening which made it even better. What a GREAT MEMORY! THANKS Iron Maiden!!!
SoccerRocker
September 29, 2010 at 3:52 pm