I Cant remember that. I remember a big stage in that english rugby stadium during somewhere in tour. The one bruce kicked a rugby ball to the audience. But the always use the same stage estructure since brave new world tour.
The classic backdrops will be there i think. But they will use some kind of screens for something to improve. Last tour they used 2 but was just ok. Nothing impresive
Legacy of the beast tour for me was and improve. That big eddie during iron maiden was one of their best and the stage changing during the show was really good too
Something interesting would be the lasers (many kinds of them) but probably Rod would consider those as too expensive...
It's funny that you keep calling Rod "greedy" when Maiden still has one of the most elaborate production you can find.
Ok i understand
This was true once upon a time but I'm less convinced of it in 2025.
They still use backdrops instead of led screens (at least, I hope so), for example. That alone is much more elaborated, especially for the lightning department.
It's so easy to find many rock bands with a way bigger production and mid-sized line-ups, which are just behind Maiden in terms of production. Stage gear and props aren't that bad from Rod's perspective - the worst thing is the marketing strategy. He constantly promoted Iron Maiden with merch and gadgets (including the beer) than the music. For casual listeners, Maiden is about the new t-shirts lines than music, which made them famous. Finally, Iron Maiden isn't half as classic and prestigious phenomenon as Black Sabbath or Metallica, just 'cos Maiden music is considered to be attractive only for declared fans, not for a wider audience. Something a little disappointing.
How does a sold out stadium tour fit in your logic?
'Cos they have a lot of declared fans and they're attractive to older metalheads who need a sentimental journey (including myself). Just realize how many prestigious accolades Sabbath or Metallica have received and compare that with Maiden. Even know when they are 50, many artists with so long career are awarded with something special, but nothing to come for Maiden as we know for this moment.
Like what?
That's simply not true, though. Metallica are more popular in the US, for sure, but not here in Europe/UK. I know many people that don't rate Metallica but nobody that doesn't rate Maiden. Also, Maiden didn't really sell out for radio hits. They don't have songs like "Nothing else Matters". Also many people think that Metallica were great for their first 4 albums, only. Sabbath also have many radio hits and they influenced metal/hard rock, but they have many albums nobody would ever listen to and frankly they haven't released anything good since Dehumanizer.
For example: Grammy Awards in the States, Lifetime Achievement Awards, the bridges, locals, and places named after the bands, RnRHoF inductions - just a few among many others. I know the awards are relative nowadays, but all those accolades show how much the artist's music is respected by mainstream media.
Okay, so nothing that matters or that people care about.
Opinions about quality of output are one thing, but objectively Metallica sells out far bigger venues even in Europe and the UK than Maiden does. That isn't up for debate. The gap isn't as wide as it is over in America, but it's still there.
Yeah. Metallica are too big for Sweden Rock for instance, whereas Maiden have played there twice now.
Must say Metallica is well-received among casual listeners, not just metaheads or so, Maiden has always played for declared fans. Maybe after documentary, something will change for them - but honestly, I doubt.
