So I somehow missed last year's tour announcement and when I found out about it this year, the shows I could attend were already sold out. Luckily, I managed to get two seats with perfect view for Hannover at face value last week, so I went last night with my daughter for what was a very special show for both of us. Not only was it her first time seeing Maiden, the setlist was a dream come true since
Somewhere In Time is my favourite Maiden album, and I was always disappointed by their neglecting it for so long apart from 'Wasted Years' and the occasional 'Heaven Can Wait'. I was over the moon to finally witness it being done justice by the band after all these decades.
The band was on fire and played really well in general. I loved the sophisticated light show and all the backdrops (the only one I would have slightly changed was the one for 'Iron Maiden': there was no need for the Senjutsu-style band logo when the artwork already includes the classic logo on the wall poster). I was especially pleased to see the ones for 'Days Of Future Past'/'The Time Machine', 'The Prisoner', 'Death Of The Celts', 'Alexander The Great' and 'Fear Of The Dark'. The slim video screens were great additions to the backdrops, I really liked the film footage from
The Prisoner and the fire for 'Death Of The Celts'.
I really like the guitar sound on the Somewhere in Time Songs.
Strangely I had the same impression at the concert. Bring back those amps/guitar setup for all songs!
This! I was so glad to hear that they honoured the original vibe of those songs.
I know there are some who don't care for 'Heaven Can Wait' but I've always loved it and it went down a storm yesterday. It's such a live banger even without all the Eddie and Bruce antics.
When Bruce mentioned 'Deja Vu', which sounded like a song introduction, I was glad I already knew the setlist because I would have felt so trolled by him when they didn't proceed to play it (even though 'The Time Machine' is one of my favourites from the current album). Hopefully, they'll play it on the next leg or a future tour (since Bruce mentioned 'Alexander The Great' as well on previous tours). That said, I'm happy that we got 5
Somewhere In Time songs. Though I like its closing epic least (still an 8/10 due to the sublime music and chorus, just not that keen on the lyrics and the verses), it was cool to witness its live resurrection!
I also found it very brave that they ditched all three of the classic TNOTB live staples and played 'The Prisoner' instead. 'Can I Play With Madness' was another semi-surprise and I would have preferred 'The Clairvoyant', but my daughter was very happy about its inclusion. 'The Trooper' is always great to listen to, but I hope we'll get 'Die With Your Boots On' or 'Still Life' instead on a future tour. Given its beer namesake, I doubt they'll ever drop it again, though.
'Fear Of The Dark' was fun, but I think it's status as must-play setlist staple is a bit overrated since there are lots of Maiden songs I'd rate higher in that regard.
As for the
Senjutu picks, I'm pretty pleased. My two favourites 'The Time Machine' and 'Hell On Earth' were played and they sounded great! When I first heard 'The Writing On The Wall' I was a bit disappointed, but it's grown a lot on me and I now love it, not only because of H's excellent solo to join all his other brilliant solos (a lot of which we got to witness on this tour). 'Days Of Future Past' had to be in the set, of course, and I've come round to 'Death Of The Celts'. I too thought they would play 'The Parchment', but I have to agree with the following:
I know I've said several times I would have preferred them doing Parchment over DOTC but in retrospect it I see now see why DOTC was an obvious choice to include on the tour. I recall a bassist on here talking about how DOTC was one of the more complex/challenging songs for Steve. I think it's reasonable to assume Steve enjoys playing it and wanted to include it on the set. After hearing it live I do like the song more now
I know most people adore it unconditionally, but I feel 'The Parchment' is slightly overrated. Sure, it has great riffs as well as nods to the likes of 'To Tame A Land', but the vocal melodies (apart from the 'meet me there' bit) could be stronger IMO. I'm happy that we'll get 'Death Of The Celts' on a future live release, because Janick played along to the keyboard bit near the end. It will also be great to hear the solos without the distortion of the studio version. Anyway, I can't get all its great guitar melodies out of my head. No wonder, Simon Gallup from The Cure played one of its bass riffs recently.
I was also suprised about the amount of Eddies we got on stage. Stranger Eddie was a bit 'blink and you'll miss him' whereas four simultaneous Eddies for 'Iron Maiden' (two on the screens, one fighting Janick plus the large inflatable one) was a bit over the top. The one for 'Heaven Can Wait' was my favourite.
The crowd reaction in the stalls below was fine, but most around me were a bit too lacklustre. There was a couple that sat the whole time, didn't clap once and left during 'Alexander The Great'!? Another couple even left during 'The Time Machine' or 'The Prisoner'.
If I heard correctly, Bruce shouted 'See you next Christmas!' before the encore. Does that mean they'll return with a few alternate songs or will they already have a brandnew set?
Edit: Forgot to add that I was very impressed by Bruce's vocals! It's definitely for the best that he has reduced jumping around to better concentrate on the singing.
