OK, i need to organize this on topics.
* RavenAge is good. The vocalist is a nice frontman, the songs got the crowd going pretty well and, well, it was good songs, really. I'll listen to their debut on Spotify tomorrow, that's for sure. And it was cute to see Steve watching his son on the backstage, even recording the crowd reaction to a song (The Angel in Disgrace, or something like that. I can't remember correctly, thanks to Maiden). It was a nice surprise.
* Anthrax were great, but, i can't say why, it dissapointed me a little. The songs were great, Belladonna was on fire and they closed the set with Indians, my favourite song. Then again, i could be dissapointed because i wanted to see Maiden as quickly as possible. But it was a hell of a warm up.
* And, the main event...i expected a great show, an amazing, nearly flawless. Well, i got a completely flawless show. I'm completely broken physically, i can't feel my ankles until now (they finished the concert around 90 minutes ago, i just took a shower and ate some pizza leftovers), but i wanted to stay there for another whole hour. I can't see how any other concert will be better than this one. Anyway, i was around the 5th or 6th row, considering the barrier, when Doctor Doctor started. After this, everything went down on If Eternity Should Fail, i never jumped AND got lifted like that in my whole life. Thanks to this, i actually haven't saw IESF, just heard it. In the middle of Speed of Light, i was still being pushed and i realized that i was on the THIRD BLOODY ROW to the barrier. I was pushed closer to the stage, not further. Well, the crowd eased on Children of the Damned and Bruce's small speech (Nicko was screaming about a problem on his drums, so Bruce talked to us for a few seconds). What a song is Children, and WHAT A SONG IS TEARS OF A CLOWN. Oh my, i was expecting a nice live version, but what i heard crushed Coming Home's executions. Not going down, The Red and the Black. This is a song to be played live, absolutely. Heavy, an amazing instrumental, a giant crowd participation (you could see Bruce and Steve smiling when everyone took over the vocals). That last instrumental part, with the crowd singing along...giant. The Trooper was very special to me, since this is my first and main favourite song from Maiden, it was a personal dream to sing it live. And to see Bruce with the red jacket, running closer to you, the Three Amigos on the middle, it was freaking magical. Death or Glory is executed differently live, or my ears fooled me, because i heard a different melody. Cool song, but definitely the low point of the night. Powerslave (or it was Powerslave before Death or Glory? I can't remember TBH), omg, i felt the flames in my face when Bruce rose up singing "Into the abyss i'll fall, the eye of Horus". This song live is powerful, i jumped around all the song, and so did the crowd. Scream for me, Belo Horizonte! And then, The Book of Souls. There Bruce showed us why he won the battle against cancer. What a performance, perfect, perfect song, flames everywhere, and then, Eddie. Participation with the crowd, inviting Dave for a fight, being beated by Janick, scratching his ass and being beated by Bruce. Theatrical Maiden at it's best. Hallowed was another personal dream being fulfilled, specially the end, perfect execution. Fear of the Dark, i don't know if you guys actually influenced me, or if i was deadly tired by then, but i didn't liked THAT much. It was an amazing song, but not The song of the night, like i thought it wold be. Iron Maiden, that one i enjoyed a lot. I don't like to hear it on live albuns, but it was so damn fun to hear it in person, with the giant Mayan Eddie. Then, encore, NOTB was a spetacle. Bruce was on fire, the stage was on fire, i thought that i would be on fire, with the force of the flames. Blood Brothers were emotional, as usual, considering that all of my friends (and some strangers) were singing the chorus hugged. Wasted Years was the last surprise, considering how i expected a cool song and got in answer a giantly powerful finisher. Perfect end to a nerfect song.
I'll post some pics and videos (in spoiler tag), but i think this one deserves to be posted here. To symbolize how special and unique this gig was:
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Everyone lifted this guy on the wheelchair, so he could see the stage on the last song. Dave threw a pick on his lap and Bruce nearly stopped the song, applauding the crowd and saying "Wheel chair crowd surfing. You are f**king awesone". I can only imagine how emotional this man was on those last minutes. For me, i think i still don't believe that i saw Maiden live. The best night of my life.
P.S.: Bruce said at the end of the gig "We'll return, my friends". So, it'll be a 2nd leg or Bruce says this to everyone?
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