katatoniq
Invader
It's been a little while since the gig and I'd like to share my thoughts as I believe my perspective is a little unique. I am Australian, but of Greek background. Been going to maiden gigs around the world since 2010. I love the band and forgive many of their imperfections, both musical and personal.
At one point, and I can't believe I'm saying this because I am the antithesis of a snowflake and hate cancel culture, I considered walking out of the show after Bruce's outburst.
In his little speech before Blood Brothers, Bruce talked about how he doesn't see race or religion, "all that matters is you're here tonight, part of the maiden family" as though we are all above that. And to be honest, that's absolutely been my experience amongst the fans. However, it appears that Bruce does see race. He chose to use the word "Greek" in the pejorative because by bringing a flare and not being sophisticated enough to understand it impacts the band and Bruce's voice, this guy is a barbarian in Bruce's eyes.
It may be true that this guy is a cunt. I was thrilled to hear how good Bruce's voice was on this tour after hearing him struggle in Argentina and Chile in 2019, so I'm glad he's taking good care of it. But this guy's Greek nationality has nothing to do with his behaviour. There are cunts in every corner of the world.
I had to push a guy away from me in a circle pit who had a flare that was bothering me. I discovered I have a little burn from it today. But that's part and parcel of seeing maiden in places like Greece. It comes with the territory; you gotta deal with it. Flares are dangerous and they suck, but they also look super cool. I don't like that security made no effort to stop them being brought into the venue, but they were. I don't like that people light them and it puts people at risk. I don't like the smell. But I do love the atmosphere they create and how they look.
Bruce is well within his rights to walk offstage like a baby if he wants. I'd totally forgive him for that. Also fine to call everyone with a flare a cunt. They usually are. But his choice of the word "Greek" tells us that Bruce does in fact see race, and that he idenfies "animalistic" behaviour as inherently Greek, as though all 50,000 people in there would do the same.
And I wish it weren't the case, but if he doesn't address it publically, I cannot ever forgive him.
From a personal perspective I've heard "Greek cunt" directed at me or about me, in my own country, Australia, coming from people who look more like Bruce than they look like me.
It may seem innocent to many here but it hit me hard, and I think it really hurt for the Greeks who understood the context too.
It sucked the metaphorical oxygen out of the crowd around me, maybe the whole stadium —I don't know— and though things picked up again around the time they played The Clansman, the momentum was lost and the show was flat.
It's merely a coincidence that I am disgusted and identify as Greek, but if the same thing happened in Bulgaria or China or Scotland or anywhere else, I'd feel exactly the same way. There's no room for racism, especially in the Iron Maiden family.
I hope Bruce is called out for it and is forced to respond, because lord knows he won't do it of his own volition.
At one point, and I can't believe I'm saying this because I am the antithesis of a snowflake and hate cancel culture, I considered walking out of the show after Bruce's outburst.
In his little speech before Blood Brothers, Bruce talked about how he doesn't see race or religion, "all that matters is you're here tonight, part of the maiden family" as though we are all above that. And to be honest, that's absolutely been my experience amongst the fans. However, it appears that Bruce does see race. He chose to use the word "Greek" in the pejorative because by bringing a flare and not being sophisticated enough to understand it impacts the band and Bruce's voice, this guy is a barbarian in Bruce's eyes.
It may be true that this guy is a cunt. I was thrilled to hear how good Bruce's voice was on this tour after hearing him struggle in Argentina and Chile in 2019, so I'm glad he's taking good care of it. But this guy's Greek nationality has nothing to do with his behaviour. There are cunts in every corner of the world.
I had to push a guy away from me in a circle pit who had a flare that was bothering me. I discovered I have a little burn from it today. But that's part and parcel of seeing maiden in places like Greece. It comes with the territory; you gotta deal with it. Flares are dangerous and they suck, but they also look super cool. I don't like that security made no effort to stop them being brought into the venue, but they were. I don't like that people light them and it puts people at risk. I don't like the smell. But I do love the atmosphere they create and how they look.
Bruce is well within his rights to walk offstage like a baby if he wants. I'd totally forgive him for that. Also fine to call everyone with a flare a cunt. They usually are. But his choice of the word "Greek" tells us that Bruce does in fact see race, and that he idenfies "animalistic" behaviour as inherently Greek, as though all 50,000 people in there would do the same.
And I wish it weren't the case, but if he doesn't address it publically, I cannot ever forgive him.
From a personal perspective I've heard "Greek cunt" directed at me or about me, in my own country, Australia, coming from people who look more like Bruce than they look like me.
It may seem innocent to many here but it hit me hard, and I think it really hurt for the Greeks who understood the context too.
It sucked the metaphorical oxygen out of the crowd around me, maybe the whole stadium —I don't know— and though things picked up again around the time they played The Clansman, the momentum was lost and the show was flat.
It's merely a coincidence that I am disgusted and identify as Greek, but if the same thing happened in Bulgaria or China or Scotland or anywhere else, I'd feel exactly the same way. There's no room for racism, especially in the Iron Maiden family.
I hope Bruce is called out for it and is forced to respond, because lord knows he won't do it of his own volition.
