Hello everybody, I thought I'd contribute to the Maidenchat with a thread (or post, whatever, depends on whether Yax can be bothered to put in his bit) on the Stockholm Stadium gig on the 16th of July 2008, which I attended.
In accordance with forum rules and whatnot, the rest is all spoiler.
In accordance with forum rules and whatnot, the rest is all spoiler.
I'll start from the very beginning I suppose. We (Yax, a friend of his, and me) arrived in Stockholm on said date at around 16:00. Needless to say the queue in front of Stockholm Stadium was ridiculous, it stretched on for several blocks (I actually never saw the end of it), a phenomenon that surpassed even my visit to the Vatican museums. We managed to join a really cool party of folks who'd been queueing for hours (yes it's cheating but whatever ). Got into the stadium at 17:00, went straight to as far front as we possibly could, which basically means two rows or so from the second barrier. Stood around impatiently for an hour and a half, consuming lätöl for facetious prices. Saw a for sure no older than 12 year old boy (smaller than myself) trying to get as far front as he could, his lithe little body clothed in Iron Maiden articles from top to toe. Brought a smile to my face. Finally Lauren Harris came on and played for a good 30 minutes. I'd heard some stuff about her from this forum, so I was expecting a bit more than I got, also in terms of looks. All in all, not impressed by her music, very regular rock that millions of other bands spew out. People started pushing around when Avenged Sevenfold came on at around 19:30. Ugh, that was just boring hard shite that I never want to hear in my life again. Just the type of metal I don't like. Of course in front of us there were lots of young kids (I should'nt really be talking, they can only have been like a two years or so younger than me) jumping up and down, yelling, singing along, all happy about this shitty American band. I couldn't believed how bored the music made me feel, however loud and raucous it was. Shows what quality really is about. Politely clapped after each song, I am after all classically trained and I consider it rude not to clap. So then that torture was over at around 20:00 or so...we were then told by some security guy that Maiden would come on at 21:00. Now it started to get real pushy, lots of scary people pushing themselves to the front (including this little guy who when he spoke to me let out this disgusting stench of tobacco mixed with booze). Naturally I had difficulty getting a position where I would be able to see anything. Then Doctor Doctor came on, and if I thought there had been pushing before, then I was wrong. There was pushing and shoving like no other and by some miracle I found myself at the barrier for Aces High. Naturally, I was delighted . Only managed to stay there for a song or so, as relentless pushing got me squished into the second row. I found it funny how the security guy kept on coming to see whether I was still alive. And actually, it is a bit of a miracle that I live to write this. I spent the next 2 hours on tip toes, trying to see between two viking giants in front of me, worried at the beginning of each subsequent classic that a new wave of enthusiastic shoving would squeeze my ribcage out of my body. It was very uncomfortable, but luckily I got some breathing space from some kind viking guy behind me who held me, trying frantically to make space for me with his arms. I wish I could have thanked him at the end of the concert, but there was such chaos. Whoever you are, thanks alot mate, I probably literally owe you my life. So, squishing aside, I didn't let that stop me from singing along to each song at the top of my lungs, or from shouting at the top of my lungs whenever Bruce called Scream for me Stockholm! And scream we did...the Swedish papers wrote the next day that we broke the decibel laws of Sweden . Bruce spent alot of time in his rants (not really rants I must say) praising Sweden, how its Maiden's second home, how they may relocate to Sweden in the future, how the Swedish phenomenon got Maiden to believe they could be the biggest fucking band on the planet if they already were so in Sweden, and how Stockholm needs to fix the problem that Ullevi had bigger capacity than Stockholm stadium. Needless to say, the swedish fans loved Bruce's praises and chants of "Maiden, Maiden!!" were rampant, and so loud and elongated that Bruce had to cut short his rants. It made me proud to be Swedish, and it made me very grateful to be there and get to experience the magic. In case you've missed the setlist or whatever, here it is, with my comments:
Aces High- they couldn't have chosen a better opener. Aces Hiiiiiiigh all the way.
2 Minutes to Midnight- Flawless, sounding brilliant with thousands of dedicated Maiden fans singing along.
Revelations- One of my favorites from this concert, simply because not such a classic as all the others, so not as much pushing .
The Trooper- I dreaded this one because of the shove factor, but I lived. Brilliant to see Bruce jump around with his flag.
Wasted Years- Brilliant.
The Number of the Beast- Even better, especially due to the stage effects, with fire bursting (I could feel the heat). It really felt like hell.
Can I Play With Madness- I didn't think this one was so strong as the others, but maybe thats because I've heard it a billion times as a live version.
Rime of the Ancient Mariner- A clear favorite of the night, amazing to get to see this one live. Great atmosphere, great theatrics on stage, Bruce on top form despite influenza. Truly defines epic.
Powerslave- I didn't really think it could get better, but this rendition of Powerslave made my heart beat at a thousand beats a minute.
Heaven Can Wait- As the Swedish papers said, the Oh oh oh bit in the middle could be used to define "sing along" in an encyclopedia. Sang along with gusto, and got transported to heaven as a result.
Run to the Hills- Overplayed, but it works a treat in concert, with adrenaline high and blood pumping.
Fear of the Dark- No words really to describe it, I think it was the best version of Fear of the Dark I've heard up to date, but it might be my hearing was distorted by this time.
Iron Maiden- Craziness. Highlight: Powerslave Eddie emerging from the gold Pharaoh mask Eddie.
Moonchild- Bruce made it sound like the next song would be Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, but this was great anyway.
The Clairvoyant- I thought this version was really good, but it was a bit of an anticlimax compared to the last 4 songs. BUT there was a cyborg Eddie .
Hallowed Be Thy Name- By this time I was so far out of it, they could have played shite and I would have thought it was divine. But according to Mr. Mattias Kling of Aftonbladet, it was the best Hallowed EVER. I believe him.
What I thought especially funny was the song they put on as we left (Always Look on the Bright Side of Life). Life sure was bright for me, if I ignored the funny sounds in my ears, and the aches from every part of body (especially my legs). I am proud to say that I lost my voice the next day as a consequence of all the yelling and singing. The only negative thing about when Maiden was playing, was that this fucker (some teenage dude) standing in front of me, blocking my view, stands around and DIDN'T SING ALONG, YELL, WAVE HIS ARMS, OR DO A N Y T H I N G the entire time Maiden was on, except for when they played Fear of the Dark. Now THAT is what I call a poser, the type of person who doesn't belong in a Maiden concert, and who should give over their good place to a real fan ( like me!!). Damn I was pissed at this guy, how the fuck was he at an Iron Maiden concert, standing lifeless the whole time? SHAME on him.
In Conclusion, a hell of a concert, but I learned my lesson. Next time I'm coming hours in advance and queuing so I get into the front section where there was way more space (even to sit down), so I don't get squished to a pulp. Still, I SURVIVED TO SEE MAIDEN! Oh, and good news: Bruce announced that next time Maiden come, it'll be with a brand new studio album .
Aces High- they couldn't have chosen a better opener. Aces Hiiiiiiigh all the way.
2 Minutes to Midnight- Flawless, sounding brilliant with thousands of dedicated Maiden fans singing along.
Revelations- One of my favorites from this concert, simply because not such a classic as all the others, so not as much pushing .
The Trooper- I dreaded this one because of the shove factor, but I lived. Brilliant to see Bruce jump around with his flag.
Wasted Years- Brilliant.
The Number of the Beast- Even better, especially due to the stage effects, with fire bursting (I could feel the heat). It really felt like hell.
Can I Play With Madness- I didn't think this one was so strong as the others, but maybe thats because I've heard it a billion times as a live version.
Rime of the Ancient Mariner- A clear favorite of the night, amazing to get to see this one live. Great atmosphere, great theatrics on stage, Bruce on top form despite influenza. Truly defines epic.
Powerslave- I didn't really think it could get better, but this rendition of Powerslave made my heart beat at a thousand beats a minute.
Heaven Can Wait- As the Swedish papers said, the Oh oh oh bit in the middle could be used to define "sing along" in an encyclopedia. Sang along with gusto, and got transported to heaven as a result.
Run to the Hills- Overplayed, but it works a treat in concert, with adrenaline high and blood pumping.
Fear of the Dark- No words really to describe it, I think it was the best version of Fear of the Dark I've heard up to date, but it might be my hearing was distorted by this time.
Iron Maiden- Craziness. Highlight: Powerslave Eddie emerging from the gold Pharaoh mask Eddie.
Moonchild- Bruce made it sound like the next song would be Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, but this was great anyway.
The Clairvoyant- I thought this version was really good, but it was a bit of an anticlimax compared to the last 4 songs. BUT there was a cyborg Eddie .
Hallowed Be Thy Name- By this time I was so far out of it, they could have played shite and I would have thought it was divine. But according to Mr. Mattias Kling of Aftonbladet, it was the best Hallowed EVER. I believe him.
What I thought especially funny was the song they put on as we left (Always Look on the Bright Side of Life). Life sure was bright for me, if I ignored the funny sounds in my ears, and the aches from every part of body (especially my legs). I am proud to say that I lost my voice the next day as a consequence of all the yelling and singing. The only negative thing about when Maiden was playing, was that this fucker (some teenage dude) standing in front of me, blocking my view, stands around and DIDN'T SING ALONG, YELL, WAVE HIS ARMS, OR DO A N Y T H I N G the entire time Maiden was on, except for when they played Fear of the Dark. Now THAT is what I call a poser, the type of person who doesn't belong in a Maiden concert, and who should give over their good place to a real fan ( like me!!). Damn I was pissed at this guy, how the fuck was he at an Iron Maiden concert, standing lifeless the whole time? SHAME on him.
In Conclusion, a hell of a concert, but I learned my lesson. Next time I'm coming hours in advance and queuing so I get into the front section where there was way more space (even to sit down), so I don't get squished to a pulp. Still, I SURVIVED TO SEE MAIDEN! Oh, and good news: Bruce announced that next time Maiden come, it'll be with a brand new studio album .