I'm almost sure London Stadium next year is happening. Maiden just posted a picture of them giving a TFP poster to Lopetegui for his birthday. From the frequency of Maiden posting WHU stuff, I'd say the probability of a gig there next year is 85%.
It's likely yeah. Maybe with a few other UK dates (or not). We expect only a European leg for next year (mainly festivals, stadiums and arenas ofc, like in 2022), although Bruce hinted at 90 shows for him and Maiden, but 50+ shows for Bruce and 30-35 shows for Maiden is my guess. Remember he also said the 2026 tour will be
big, so then they will do NA/SA, Europe/UK again and maybe more like this year.
And they'll bring on stage all past members to perform songs like Iron Maiden or Sanctuary. At least I'd like to see that happen.
IIRC Steve ruled that out, but who knows, there could be some unexpected surprises or guests.
If they do stadiums, of course it needs to be a big fuckoff production. LOTB, but on a much bigger scale.
We all expect a special production (impressive is subjective anyway), but was the 2008 tour production that impressive for stadiums?
Edit-to elaborate a bit a few days later: Maiden shows are always the best. Their live productions are always interesting with different things. Bigger production? What does this mean? Big screen? I like that Maiden always stay true to themselves. Lots of pyro? You can't do that for the whole show, it will be boring. All bands are using more or less the same template for a live stage. For a stadium, all you need is a big screen and big light show with spoardic pyro. Metallica has a great light show for their current tour, but other than that, nothing. Kiss concerts were miles better than Metallica or the other so called stadium bands. You can have screens and stuff, but it's how you use them. Priest and Manowar's recent tours are a positive example of this. With all the different tours since the Reunion, current setlists, stages, props and attention to detail, I think no Maiden fan should complain. Nobody does live shows like Maiden (and big Eddie) and that's a fact. Also, they did their big thing in the US in the 80's and playing bigger venues there was never their intention. Only a few metal/especially rock bands can do that. It's usually arenas there and in the UK. They have Europe and SA for that. They could release more interesting stuff as a bonus, but they're bigger than ever during the Reunion and the management is doing a great job. Sales and all. I mean, different opinions, but it's just laughable.
I think that if they do stadiums, it's gonna be a world tour not just Europe.
Given their latest tours (excluding TBOS one), I doubt it. And didn't Bruce say that he will return to Brazil next year, but with his solo band.
I think it depends mostly on production, setlist and the proximity of shows. TFP which is 1/3 new album and 1/3 SIT is for die-hards. If they go LOTB on a stadium scale, they could do it.
True, and they want just the hits, but the fans get tickets before the shows. And I don't think that's Maiden's aim for NA. Maiden
could only be a co-headliner now with an old big band.
And then, there is the mystery of the documentary. If they are banking on it being a success, that could be a massive boost. But it would need to be released relatively early next year.
The release date of the documentary is curious. The release of the expected live album/video from the current tour too. I don't think it's that important for Maiden's sales boost. And what about the meeting with Kevin in Australia? I guess that's what it's about.
