Who Is On Tour With Iron Maiden?
Iron Maiden Tickets is currently performing on the Legacy of the Beast World Tour, which started in Tallinn, Estonia, on May 26, 2022. This tour is in promotion of their latest studio album, Senjutsu, which was released in September 2021. The Legacy of the Beast Tour began back in 2018 but was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is once again performing live shows after taking a break and has resumed presenting an even more impressive show to their fans internationally.
The support acts on this tour are also a set of bands that have regularly supported Iron Maiden over the years and are made up of experienced musicians. Lead vocals are performed by Bruce Dickinson, who initially joined Maiden in 1981 and has grown to become one of the most recognized vocalists in the metal genre. Dickinson left the band in the 90s but rejoined in 1999 and has been performing Maiden hits non-stop since then. Backing vocals and bass are also performed by Steve Harris, the founder of the group in 1975 and the main composer. Harris rages around the stage, keeping the tempo that is characteristic of Iron Maiden. On guitar, there is Adrian Smith, who joined the group in 1980, only to quit in 1990, but rejoined the group again in 1999. He is the master of Maiden’s songwriting and the main driving force behind those famous solos. Smith is backed on dual guitars by Dave Murray, who has been with the band from its inception and joined in 1976. Murray and Smith switch between solo and harmonized leads, and one can truly marvel at the power of the twin guitars. And finally, there is drummer Nicko McBrain, who joined Iron Maiden in 1982. His dynamic style drives the band, especially on up-tempo numbers such as ‘Aces High', which gives him ample opportunity to do so. Since 1990, Iron Maiden has had a second guitarist, Janick Gers, which adds up to the three guitars in the band. The members have multiple gold and platinum albums among them and years of experience touring large venues as a band.
However, the Iron Maiden band is not limited to the musicians on the stage; an incredible stage design and spectacular stunts are used. Their current tour, Legacy of the Beast Tour, is based on their mobile game and comic as well. The stage is set with a multi-tiered platform, walkways, and set pieces, including a fighter plane and the giant demonic figure Eddie. Eddie has been associated with Iron Maiden since their debut album and is a crucial, symbolic part of the band. From the use of pyrotechnics to lighting, the production matches the energy that the band puts on stage. And, of course, the costumes: Bruce Dickinson is wearing aviator goggles and a fencing mask with a flame-retardant British RAF coat, while Adrian Smith is wearing a military shirt, as most of the songs in Iron Maiden’s discography are set in the context of war or aviation. The other members wear black leather and studs, and thus, there is a harmonious overall appearance. The team working to make all the technicalities behind the show are also extremely crucial when it comes to staging such an elaborate arena concert concept.
From 2022 to 2023, the Legacy of the Beast Tour will visit some parts of Europe and North America. Some of the support bands that accompany them on different parts of the tour are Within Temptation, Airbourne, Lord of the Lost, and Hot Milk. Having these opening acts makes the fans get even more for their money as they get to see talented metal groups perform. In the cities that do not have a tour stop, Iron Maiden sometimes performs once in a festival, and they are usually the main event. The band has booked future dates in Central and South America prior to their European tour starting in summer 2023. This concert tour is no joke, with more than 130 dates lined up for them in two years, which means lots of hard work for the band and crew.
For Iron Maiden, touring is the best way to ensure that the chemistry between all the players is always strong. Performing in new cities and on the road excites them, as it makes things new, even when they have been performing for years on the road. It also enables them to perform for fans in other countries who have not been privileged to watch Iron Maiden in action. Despite the successful sales of millions of albums, there are always new fans who have yet to embrace bands such as Maiden, hence the need to continue touring. Of course, the hardcore fans have also been known to turn up in huge numbers to listen to the songs that they have grown up with. Thus, the audience and the musicians benefit from each other and, as a result, increase the level of enjoyment. Some of them are following the tour in different areas in order to get a chance to watch it as many times as they can.
In an era where many rock bands are satisfied making festival or one-off, corporate show appearances, Iron Maiden still goes all out with elaborate, full-stage theatrical tours, even in their late years. The Legacy of the Beast shows demonstrate why Iron Maiden continues to be an unrivaled live attraction in metal and hard rock. In performing arenas, they are perfect and jovial, taking energy from the specific venue that they occupy. The songs do not age at all, which is why classics such as “The Trooper," “Run to the Hills," and “Number of the Beast” are possible crowd-pullers every night. Proud choruses, burning instrumentals, and one of the most energetic performers in the music industry make an Iron Maiden concert an incredible experience. The band is still active nowadays, four and a half decades later, and they still perform live as they wish.
