So got this idea from A Real Live One (or dead, but whichever) where the focus is on songs from 1986-92. Maiden decides in 2011 that after Maiden England Tour 2012-13, that while there is no ambition to do a full extensive 90s tour, there is a will to briefly nod towards that aforementioned decade. So, in November 2013 following statement is released on the official site (with no writing mishaps and stronger English spirit):
mEDievil Maiden Tour 2014
Iron Maiden announces that they are on the road again next year under a brand new theme. There will be a focus on five studio albums from the middle point of their honourable and illustrious career (Somewhere In Time - The X-Factor or albums 6-10 out of 15).
Steve Harris comments: "With this Maiden England thing having been going on for about 18 months now we decided we didn´t want to do third leg based on that theme, so we mixed things up a little bit for next year. We are going to play some tunes we haven´t done for over two decades, and while some of them may not be the most popular or memorable ones, I daresay from experience that there will some bloody effing positive reactions from the crowds all around (and if not, do check the pulse of the person beside you)! 2014 can´t arrive soon enough!
Adds manager Rod Smallwood: "I am very much looking forward to next year because this is really a marvellous opportunity to do some justice to the 90s songs while keeping the essentials from this Maiden England theme still on the show. I welcome that opportunity with open arms, to uphold our fine tradition of history based tours in front of the most loyal fans on the planet is a priviledge beyond belief. As there is no new material to play (for the time being, as we are heading into the studio after the tour, BUT, more of that in due course!), there is a will to do something new and visit the 90s as we know it is some of our most devoted supporters dearest wish. We felt the need to add something fresh to the show and decided to wrap up our studio catalogue in a live environment (not withstanding the fact that the studio album sequence is still very much ongoing!).
It is going to be fantastic way to round up our career thus far, a mix of blast from the past, all the way from the late 80s (their height of their power), to early 90s pure rock n roll, concluding into the middle of the decade from where we basically started this style of the momentous epics. There will be something for everyone without forgetting a certain classic from that period, so all our fans will be more than pleased! This is only a one summer thing, so make sure you come to see us as some of the songs we do will never appear on the setlist again."
That announcement preceeds a concert list starting from the UK with a mini tour spanning through the second half of April, following dates (in May-June) in Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Germany Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia & Croatia. Then in early July heading over the Atlantic to a brief spell in Canada and the States (east coast), finishing in South America for a couple of weeks. Tour ends mid-August.
(To be continued) Somewhere In May...
